Joined by observers from intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations as well as the media, attendees meet under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This is an international environmental treaty with the objective of stabilising greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous man-made interference with the climate system.

The UNFCCC itself sets no mandatory limits on greenhouse gas emissions for individual countries and contains no enforcement mechanisms. Instead, the treaty provides for updates (called "protocols") that would set mandatory emission limits. The Kyoto Protocol is probably the most recognised of these, becoming better known than the UNFCCC itself.

Parties to the convention have met annually since 1995 to assess progress in meeting the UNFCCC's objective.

This year, COP17 meets in Durban, South Africa from 28 November to 9 December 2011.

The Met Office is once again supporting UK government negotiations at the conference, providing scientific expertise which will feed into the negotiations for politicians to determine and agree upon appropriate action.

Our submission includes:

• A series of reports commissioned by the UK's Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) on climate observations, projections and impacts for over 20 countries.
• Our scientists will also be on hand to discuss issues relating the past 12 month's climate, providing a summary of recent observations with an indication of global temperature, Arctic sea ice extent and the influence of the El Nino Southern Oscillation on global rainfall patterns.
• Latest developments in regional modelling will be highlighted, as will out partnership with the Department for International Development under the Climate Science Research programme.
• Taking a close look at fundamental climate science by introducing the climate system and the vital role played by greenhouse gases in maintaining life on Earth. View our  weather and climate guide (PDF, 5 MB) .