What a difference a few years makes. From Kyoto to Bali...
Suddenly, there is a real change of tone. Last week, the Confederation of British Industry published a climate change report that called on the government to deploy the full policy and legal armoury of the state to cut emissions.
The next day, legal firm Clifford Chance published a survey of leading corporate executives, to reveal that more than four-fifths believe more regulation, not less, is needed for them to tackle climate change successfully.
Then, perhaps most importantly of all, came the initiative launched by the Prince of Wales's business leaders' group, pressing governments to collectively agree a tough, science-based and legally binding treaty to reduce emissions in Bali.
This is new and important. Ten years ago in Kyoto, governments wanted regulation, while companies demanded voluntary action. Now the reverse is true. Many governments seek market solutions, while companies are calling for new laws.
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