to allow cities to calculate pay-back periods and assesscitizen perceptions of the new lighting systems. Theknowledge and confidence engendered by these trialsis now translating into commercial orders, helping toaccelerate the mainstreaming of an important low-carbon technology.The Climate Group's "EV-20" initiative is aiming to have a similar effect on the global deployment ofelectric vehicles (EVs). The objective of this project isto add an additional two million EVs to the world's fleetby 2020. Again, the model for doing this is through apublic-private partnership. EV-20 brings together cityand regional governments, with vehicle manufacturers,financiers and fleet owners, with The Climate Group asan independent facilitator. The current focus of EV-20 is fleet deployment. In theUK, fleet owners purchase 50 per cent of new vehicleseach year, providing a critical mass for quickly shiftingthe composition of the country's road transport fleet.But these businesses need policy and financialcertainty to make the kind of large-scale investmentthat is required to mainstream EVs. EV-20 provides the platform for making the right connections and having the right discussionsamong the key decision makers at each stage of the deployment process. The involvement of world-leading companies such as PSA PeugeotCitroen, TNT and Deutsche Bank, and progressive sub-national governments like Quebec and South Australia, illustrates the tremendous appetite for public-private partnerships.Nowhere in the world will such partnerships be moreimportant than in China. The country's recentlyreleased 12th Five-Year Plan (FYP) commits China to a 16 per cent and 17 per cent reduction in energyand carbon intensity respectively. Regional and city governments are expected to bear greaterresponsibility for achieving these targets, while therewill be increasing reliance on small and mediumenterprises (SMEs) for technology development. To meet the goals set at the national level, regional andcity governments will need to work closely withbusiness to establish the necessary environment forstimulating low-carbon growth. The Climate Group's recently launched ChinaRedesign programme was developed to support this process. Like our LED and EV work, ChinaRedesign provides a leadership platform, in this case to support the planning and execution of low-carbon growth plans in cities. China Redesign willbring together city managers, financiers, andtechnology and service providers to build institutionalcapacity and develop demonstration projects in areas such as transport, urban planning and energy management.062GLOBAL VOICESAll of these initiatives demonstrate that manybusinesses and sub-national governments are notwaiting for a global deal or a federal mandate to switch to more sustainable, low-carbon forms ofproduction and consumption. Driven as much byeconomic as environmental fundamentals, these low-carbon, clean revolution leaders recognise that by working together they can deal far better withchallenges of energy security, sustainable economicgrowth, and business competitiveness. This is not to say a global agreement on climate changeis not needed, but rather that the successes secured todate can provide confidence to national governmentsthat real change is not only possible but also desirable.An international framework that raises ambition levelsand promotes international collaboration remainsessential if we are to make this happen and transformour economies at the speed required.As G8 leaders once again gather to discuss the manychallenges facing the international community, theywould do well to consider and take inspiration from theexample being set by low-carbon businesses, citiesand regions. With HSBC estimating the global marketfor low-carbon goods and services to be worth US$2.2 trillion by 2020, the opportunities are hard to ignore. As members of the world's mostpowerful economic summit, G8 leaders have anobligation for ensuring this prize is won and forunleashing a Clean Revolution. nABOUT THE AUTHORMark Kenber (right) is the CEO of The Climate Group.He has worked on climate change for 15 years and isan expert on international climate policy. Mr Kenberhas been instrumental in developing The ClimateGroup's programmes in India and China, and directedground-breaking international projects with thefinance, energy, technology and aviation sectors.Mark Kenber advised former UK Prime Minister TonyBlair in the joint policy initiative Breaking the ClimateDeadlock (2008-2009), which produced a series ofhigh-level reports outlining the economic andtechnological rationale for a global climate deal andits key components. He is also a carbon marketsexpert and co-founded the Verified Carbon Standard,now the most popular kitemark for the US$400million voluntary market.Previously, Mr Kenber was Senior Policy Officer forWWF's International Climate Change Programme,where he led the creation of the CDM Gold Standard.He participated in the European Climate ChangeProgramme working group resonsible for the design ofthe EU ETS, has served as Director of Planning atFundacion Natura, and as climate change advisor tothe Ecuadorian government.

GLOBAL VOICES063