Against the background of the slow progress at COP15, two panel discussions organised by ClimateOne and REEEP highlighted the importance of sub-national states, provinces, cities and private business in meeting the climate changeClimate change is a lasting change in weather patterns over long periods of time. It can be a natural phenomena and and has occurred on Earth even before people inhabited it. Quite different is a current situation that is also referred to as climate change, anthropogenic climate change, or ... challenge. During the two discussions which were recorded for public radio in the United States, moderator Greg Dalton quizzed Governor Schwarzenegger, Huang Ming, the CEO of Himin Solar, Dr. Pachauri the Chairman of IPCC and Caio Koch-Weser, Vice Chairman, Deutsche Bank on what they saw as the critical elements of dealing with the climateClimate is typically defined as the average weather (or more rigorously a statistical description of the average in terms of the mean and variability) over a period of time, usually 30 years. These quantities are most often surface variables such as temperature, precipitation, and wind. Climate ... change issue.

The Governor noted the need for a comprehensive US national position, similar to the one already taken by California, which is also cooperating with provinces in China on climate change mitigationMitigation refers to actions that reduce our contribution to the causes of climate change. This means reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), through energy efficiency and using alternative forms of transport and energy.(UKCIP) and adaptationAdjustments in human and natural systems, in response to actual or expected climate stimuli or their effects, that moderate harm or exploit beneficial opportunities. (IPPC) technology. But he also indicated that government should not get into the business of picking specific technology winners.

Along similar lines, Huang Ming pointed out that the private sector has an important role to play in making renewable technologies something aspirational, and that governments can help push technologies towards commercialisation though R&D funding and by providing policies that don’t change over time.

Dr. Pachauri underlined that developed countries are under an obligation to help developing countries in the move towards clean technology. Caio Koch-Wesser gave an insightful analysis of the need for action at international, national and subnational levels, and of the need for policy stability over time.

The video cast will be published here on Monday