climate and energy legislation in the US will bedecisive. This would provide real momentum to thetalks. It would demonstrate US commitment to actionand increase pressure on other major emitters to lifttheir ambitions. It would also kick-start a clean-techrevolution that would accelerate the creation of newindustries and green jobs in the US.The importance to the negotiating process of "fast-start" finance cannot be overstated. Early delivery ofthe 2010-2012 financing commitments made in theCopenhagen Accord would significantly improve theatmosphere of the negotiations. Such action,032POST-COPENHAGEN REVIEWimplemented transparently and equitably, wouldrapidly rebuild trust between developed anddeveloping countries. It would also make it muchharder for those opposing the Accord to block itsincorporation into the formal negotiating process.Existing pledges from the EU, Japan and the US areencouraging, but need to be operationalised swiftly.The actions of the major emerging economies will also have a major influence on negotiationsthrough to Cancun. The unilateral commitmentsmade prior to Copenhagen, such as China's 40-45per cent carbon intensity reduction target, areMain Picture: UNSecretary General Ban Ki-moon during the talksUN Photo

BIOGRAPHYDr Steve Howard is co-founder and CEO ofinternational NGO The Climate Group and chairs theWorld Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council onClimate Change. Dr Howard is a leading authority onclimate change and believes politicians and businessleaders must tackle environmental and economicchallenges together to cut emissions, create new jobsand build a prosperous, clean, green economy. Since 2003, The Climate Group has established one of the world's most powerful international coalitions of business and government leaders committed toadvancing the low carbon policies and technologiesnecessary to make deep cuts in global emissions.Most recently, Dr Steve Howard led a joint initiativewith former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair to accelerate political momentum required forinternational agreement on a global climate deal.Before founding The Climate Group, he spent 15years advising major corporations, NGOs and UNbodies on the environment.POST-COPENHAGEN REVIEW033climate leadership is one obvious and potential area.WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE INPRACTICE? For the summit in June it means clear and detailedplans on the delivery of "fast-track" finance. And acommitment to providing first funds by the year's end. It means early, broad and in-depth engagement withnon-G8 countries in the lead up to the summit.BASIC countries, members of the newly formed'Progressive Group' and the most vulnerabledeveloping states should be priorities. Engagementshould be transparent, inclusive and equitable,particularly with respect to "fast-track" financediscussions.It means championing climate entrepreneurs,celebrating their successes and communicating to awider audience the positive, can-do attitude theyoffer. A commitment to supporting the voice ofprogressive business in the UN negotiations shouldbe a priority of all G8 members.Perhaps most importantly, it means committing tothe necessary domestic legislation that is ultimatelyneeded to drive the clean revolution at home. Inshort, it is leading by doing.With so many issues left to negotiate and differencesto bridge in the lead-up to Cancun, it is essential thatthe June summit delivers credible actions andcommitments that work for all countries. While theG8 might well be an exclusive club, its actions onclimate change must not be.n" "THE ACCORD ESTABLISHES'FAST-START' FINANCE FOR DEVELOPINGCOUNTRIESWORTH US$30BILLION THROUGHTO 2012, ANDCOMMITMENTS TO RAISE US$100 BILLIONPER ANNUM BY 2020important milestones. But these need to be built on. One potentially game-changing gesture would be formal acknowledgement by the so-called"BASIC" countries - Brazil, South Africa, India andChina - that they constituted a new "advanceddeveloping" countries group within the negotiations.This would be a major political step, butcommensurate with the emerging political andeconomic power of these key countries. It would alsoopen space for a more mature debate about therespective needs, responsibilities and capabilities ofdifferent developing countries.Parties also need to initiate a frank and honest debateabout the legal nature of any new climate deal. This isthe elephant in the room that continues to be ignored.Negotiations should focus on an outcome that deliverssignificant emission reductions in an efficient andeffective manner. From the atmosphere's perspective,whether this is under a single new agreement thatbuilds on Kyoto, a new multilateral protocol tocompliment Kyoto, or some other arrangement isirrelevant. Negotiators should seek an outcome that isadministratively simple and politically implementable.This is likely to require many countries to move awayfrom their current fixed positions.Business also has a continuing role to play inensuring the journey to Cancun (and beyond) is asuccessful one. Indeed, the views and ideas ofprogressive business are now more important thanever. Looking back on Copenhagen it is clear thatmany political leaders lacked the kind of positivevision that today's clean-tech entrepreneurs have ofthe future. For many politicians and negotiatorsclimate change is still about costs endured ratherthan opportunities seized. It is all about the "meanrevolution" rather than the "clean revolution".Bringing the entrepreneurial enthusiasm for climateaction to the negotiating table is essential totransforming this glass half-empty mindset.National leaders should also look to their regionalcolleagues for inspiration. In North America, Europe,India and Australia, some of the most progressive andeffective climate policies are being developed andimplemented at state and local level. These "bottomup" initiatives could do much to support 'top-down'international efforts.PROVIDING CLIMATE LEADERSHIP: A KEY ROLE FOR THE G8The G8 can do much to advance action on the variousissues described above. Indeed, it is a matter ofnecessity if the forum wishes to retain its relevance infuture years. As more representative forums such asthe G20 develop in status and scope, the G8 needs toshow where its value-add lies. Providing progressive