The present invention relates to binding moieties that specifically bind to a conformational epitope of C5a, in particular human C5a. Preferred binding moieties are anti-C5a antibodies that bind to this conformational epitope. The binding moieties described herein are useful as active agents in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment and prevention of various acute and chronic diseases, in particular acute inflammatory diseases, such as the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and different degrees of sepsis including sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock.