Brunei Gallery, School of Oriental and African Studies, London. 30th November 2009. Even at planning stage there was great interest in this event from speakers and audience, and as such the panel and auditorium were both completely full. The debate brought together groups of people who are active in climate change and development, but who hail from different professions and even different countries, and so do not always gain the chance to meet and exchange ideas. Responding to Timo Makela's engaging opening address were a former UK environment minister and another MP working on climate change, the director of a green NGO, a senior international spokesman from Oxfam, and an IPPR Senior Fellow who contributed his strong academic and research knowledge base. Each approached the question from different and often thought-provoking angles. The audience too featured a wide variety of people gathering together, from CEOs of development and climate change charities, to CSR and environment professionals from a range of public and private sector bodies. Also present were students from LSE, SOAS and King's College, London. While some speakers such as Rob Bailey of Oxfam and Michael Meacher, former minister, considered that the EU had not done enough, there was also recognition on the part of the civil society groups present that the EU at least does speak in terms of hard commitments on long-term financing. Timo Makela was keen to respond to their views, and did so with openness and thoughtfulness. Becky Luff, Director of NGO Change is Coming, brought a note of optimism to the room on what the EU and partners could achieve, something which was later echoed by Andrew Pendleton of the ippr who also saw the key in a global vanguard of powers of the EU, US, China and India leading the rest towards a greener future. Having recently visited Bangladesh, Judy Mallaber MP of the Commons Energy & Climate Change Committee shared her first-hand experience of that country's efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change. She also warned of the need to bear in mind the longer-term outcomes of actions taken now, and ensure that our actions do not have unintended negative consequences. Thanks to all speakers and audience members for contributing to a memorable evening. Panel members Chair, Lorenzo Marsili, Director of European Alternatives. Oliver Henman, UK & International Campaigns Manager, National Council for Voluntary Organisations – spoke on the role of voluntary organisations. Timo Makela, Director of Sustainable Development & Integration, European Commission (Environment DG) Michael Meacher MP, former Environment Minister Rob Bailey, Oxfam International spokesman Becky Luff, Director, Change is Coming Judy Mallaber MP, Commons Climate Change & Energy Committee Andrew Pendleton, Senior Research Fellow, ippr