It's worth taking a look at the presentations and conclusions from the recent international conference held in Amsterdam. Some of the presentations have been released as downloadable movies, so you can effectively 'attend' yourself.

Through this material you can get a better perspective on what Kyoto has accomplished to date, and where it needs to head if it isn't to run out of steam. A central issue is the need to develop a viable recognised carbon market as 2012 approaches if the work that has begun is to continue - so we can effect a "self-financing climate compact" as Yvo de Boer succinctly puts it.

Make Markets Work for Climate International Conference in Amsterdam, the Netherlands 16-17 October 2006

Five weeks ago more than 300 representatives of the energy, financial and environmental sectors worldwide gathered in Amsterdam to participate in the discussions regarding markets working for climate. From the presentations, panel and plenary dicussions which took place over the two days some important conclusions were drawn:

• Governments need to create a stable incentive for the business community to invest in clean energy technologies. Business is ready to invest in clean energy technologies, but a long-term signal is required urgently to maintain a value on carbon.
• Leadership is needed from business as well as governments. Business stands shoulder to shoulder with governments in shaping the much needed actions on climate change.
• There is a gap between what is needed and what could be achieved with existing international financing instruments. International Financial Institutions existing portfolios, instruments and carbon finance should be better aligned to support affordable and reliable, clean modern energy services.
• Potentially profitable opportunities exist for investment in commercial technologies in developing countries, especially aimed at energy efficiency. An enabling environment is needed in developing countries to attract funds for clean energy.
• Attention should be paid to the less developed countries. They have difficulty profiting from the current CDM market and are currently unable to compete on the technology learning curve.