In the opening sessions, delegates also remembered Mama Konaté, the popular climate-change expert representing Mali, who died unexpectedly two weeks ago.

"Let Durban be the place where parties will be able to work together," said COP17 President Maite Nkoana-Mashabane at the opening ceremony. "We owe this to the memory of our brother, Mama Konaté."

Throughout the day, leaders from the various negotiating factions paid their respects to Konaté before drawing their lines in the sand. And, as expected, COP17 looks like it may become a battle of rich against poor.

Representatives for the small-island states, Africa, Latin America and least-developed nations all implored developed nations to capitalise the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Rich nations must take responsibility for leaving developing nations vulnerable to the effects of climate change, they said.

"We have evidence we are headed for catastrophe, but all we hear is delay, delay, delay. Our call is now, now, now," said Grenadian diplomat Dessima Williams, speaking on behalf of island nations that may be submerged as a result of climate change. "We would like to believe there is still one thing on which we can all agree: No country is dispensable. This premise should serve as a benchmark for our conference."

Business and trade-union representatives also called for capitalisation of the GCF, along with predictable market signals and increased momentum.

On the developed side, delegates awoke this morning to a new report that Canada planned to formally pull out of the Kyoto Protocol next month. Japan and Russia are also expected to withdraw, saying it is unfair that developing nations, particularly number one carbon-emitter China, haven't had to commit to cuts.

The United States is also not expected to take part in a second commitment period for the Protocol, since it did not take part in the first.

Even with the deepening rifts, UNFCCC boss Christiana Figueres and President Jacob Zuma both said the South African spirit of dialogue and justice would shape the talks.

"Against all odds, SA [in 1994] successfully negotiated change," Figueres said, reminding delegates of former President Nelson Mandela's famous quote: "It always seems impossible, until it is done."

"With sound leadership, nothing is impossible," Zuma said, citing King Shaka, Chief Albert Luthuli and Mahatma Gandhi as prior examples in KwaZulu-Natal.

At the convention centre, delegates and members of the media reported being impressed by a smooth and environmentally conscious organisation, including a ban on bottled water. Freshwater taps were plentiful in the centre.

At 19:45, opening statements continued at the convention centre.

Tomorrow, breakout groups and NGOs will meet and begin the heavy-lifting in the negotiations.

Go to our COP17 Special Report