Fate of Kyoto Protocol in spotlight at talks

BEIJING - The global climate change talks in Durban got off to a rocky start, with developed and developing countries holding diverging positions, indicating tough negotiations ahead.

The fate of the Kyoto Protocol, the sole international agreement that obligates industrialized countries to slash carbon emissions, remains the essential issue of the summit.

Developing countries are calling for an extension of the first commitment period which expires in December 2012.