As the opening of the UN Climate Change Conference, Durban 2011 approaches, governments and international organizations are starting to stake their positions regarding implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, the Bali Action Plan and the Cancun Agreements.

Members of the European Parliament have expressed their willingness to see the EU lead the talks and to support the Kyoto Protocol after 2012.  "The continuation of the Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012 will decide the success or failure of the Durban summit. The EU must show the necessary leadership to prevent a stalemate in climate negotiations" said Jo Leinen a German parliamentarian and chair of the Environment Committee to the Durban conference.  Other parliamentarians considered the need to reduce greenhouse emission of 20%, the need to discuss on the management of Green climate fund and the importance of including new measures to curb aviation and marine emissions within the Kyoto protocol.

China has stepped forward and revealed part of its strategy and talking points for the next climate talks. Xie Zhenhua, vice-minister of the National Development and Reform Commission warned of a possible deadlock in Durban if certain countries refused to make a second commitment to Kyoto when it expires in 2012.  According to the official news agency, Xinhua, "the lack of "environmental integrity" as some developed countries, such as the United States, refuse to accept legally binding emission reduction targets as stipulated in the Annex 1 of the Kyoto Protocol."

At the UN, preparatory talks in Panama City in early October, the unresolved challenges from the Cancun conference were discussed including the climate change regime and the future of Kyoto beyond 2012.  As the date is approaching for the new climate talks, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stressed ‘’the need for clarity’’ at the Durban meeting regarding the future commitments to the Kyoto Protocol after 2012.