The head of the UN climate change organization called on governments to take concrete steps towards a new treaty to combat global warming, warning that failure to do so could jeopardize negotiations. In Tianjin, negotiators are gathering to discuss the future of the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012. The talks have been hindered by distrust between rich and poor nations regarding climate funds, calls for transparency on emissions reductions, and dissatisfaction with the proposed cuts by wealthy countries. Any delay in reaching an agreement would leave less time to address greenhouse gas emissions and create uncertainty for companies unsure about future climate policies and carbon markets post-2012. Figueres emphasized the importance of finding common ground during the Tianjin talks. The discussions taking place now are the final major round of talks before the main climate meeting in Cancun, Mexico on November 29th. Last year, negotiators from almost 200 governments were unable to reach an agreement on a new legally binding climate pact. The meeting in Copenhagen in 2009 resulted in disagreements between wealthy and developing nations, leading to a non-binding accord with unresolved issues. Governments are working to build trust and transform a complex draft treaty into a binding text, possibly by late 2011. A successful outcome in Cancun is crucial to restore confidence and progress in the process of addressing climate change. Recent catastrophic floods in Pakistan and severe drought in Russia are examples of extreme weather events that could be exacerbated by rising temperatures if countries do not significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to Wendel Trio, the climate policy coordinator for Greenpeace. Trio emphasized the importance of developed countries demonstrating commitment to their pledges made in Copenhagen in order to build trust among nations. At the Tianjin talks, Figueres expressed hope that important details of a future climate agreement, such as managing adaptation funds, promoting green technology in poorer countries, and supporting carbon-absorbing forests, could be agreed upon. Although there is optimism for the creation of a climate fund to assist developing nations in transitioning to green economies, determining the sources of the fund may take more time to negotiate. Figueres stated that even if negotiations progress, the current commitments by governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will not be sufficient to prevent the world from experiencing dangerous global warming, defined as a temperature increase of 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. She emphasized that these commitments are not enough to ensure a two-degree temperature rise, which is still insufficient for the survival of the most vulnerable countries. Figueres advised governments to prioritize securing formal pledges for emissions reductions that have already been proposed, acknowledging that this is a crucial but insufficient initial step.