COP21 is viewed by many as humankind’s last chance to make the cuts to CO2 needed to prevent a climate catastrophe. David Runnall’s provides a Special Report outlining key issues at stake at the Paris Conference of the Parties (COP) 2015, including financing sustainable development, how agreements can be reached by smaller countries, how to address the problems of delayed benefits from mitigation, ways that China can exercise leadership in this arena, and how the world's financial institutions can help mobilize climate finance from the private sector.