As the United Nations Climate Change Conference got underway in Durban, South Africa, on Monday, people around the world are paying increased attention to policymakers' progress in tackling the causes of global warming.
The signs aren't promising. At previous conferences, only very limited concrete outcomes were achieved. We are right to be sceptical about the outcome of this new round of climate talks.
Durban will mark a critical moment in international climate change negotiations. Whatever its outcome, the conference will play an important role in determining the shape of our long-term efforts to tackle climate change.
As the Kyoto Protocol nears its sell-by date next year, the determination of governments' commitment to cut down greenhouse gas emissions is coming under scrutiny.
It is now up to participants in Durban to hammer out a deal that replaces the existing treaty. They need to come up with a new binding agreement for nations covering a second commitment period.
But don't hold your breath. Many climate experts and negotiators certainly aren't.
'My own view is that whatever happens, I don't see all 191 parties under the UN abandoning efforts to develop a comprehensive effort in the longer term for climate change action,' said Adrian Macey, chair of the United Nations Kyoto Protocol negotiations.