The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP 17) takes place in Durban in late November. At stake is whether the world can agree to a global deal that will tackle climate change. Introducing this joint special issue of African Agenda, a publication of Third World Network-Africa, and Pambazuka News, Tetteh Hormeku from TWN-Africa calls for a set of decisions that address issues of equity and justice.