Now perhaps the world does not need yet another set of opinions about the Copenhagen deal, but too bad:
1. The diplomatic discussions will continue for years: the fissures that were opened over the last few weeks - especially within G77 - will continue because they are essentially irreconcilable. The interests of small island states, vulnerable emerging states and large industrialised or industrialising states are very clearly running in different directions. The evidence of Copenhagen is that these interests are at last becoming articulated.
2. Pushing these talks along will be various crises: just as the Global Financial Crisis sparked unprecedented co-operation between states on stimulus spending, so major extreme weather events will do the same, though to differing degrees.
3. The domestic pressures for each country will continue to out-weigh the needed collective pressure to act together: the approach of China and the US at Copenhagen showed that though there is enormous pressure to do a deal - and then spin it mercilessly - but it is not sufficient to change their essential approach.
4. So, over the next decade there will be three needed tasks: to maintain a sense of hope in a global community badly scarred by the Copenhagen experience, to manage (as best we can without formal regulations and market mechanisms) carbon emissions reductions and to adapt to a changing climate.
5. Hope comes from practical experience and I think that cities have a major role in this: a massive escalation of the practical activities that are essentially good business anyway (especially energy efficiency and new technologies) will help to give our communities a sense that all is not lost.
6. And additionally, we need to continue to reduce emissions where we can - our energy systems, our waste management and our transport networks. The literature over the past decade or two shows the various levers for cities to manage emissions. An even more focused approach is called for.
7. And finally, cities will move to the forefront of climate adaptation work: not just for the vulnerable coastal cities around the world, but for suburbs dealing with increased transport costs, rural communities coping with drought and bushfires and inner-city areas facing large energy cost increases and potential energy security concerns.
So, out of Copenhagen has come a new decade's worth of work for cities and local governments. Can we deliver?
