Copenhagen's climate big-hitters must not forget smaller nations

The Copenhagen climate summit must reach an agreement that can be taken on by all levels of government, from global superpowers to local authorities
Jane Davidson
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 30 September 2009 07.20 BST
The politics of global negotiation are now in full swing, as the world's major players set out their stalls ahead of the crucial climate summit in Copenhagen this December.
Amid the jostling of global leaders, we should not forget that the cooperation of smaller regions and nations, such as Wales, will be central to averting climate change. National leaders may thrash out the treaty, but it will be regional governments who must deliver on the ground. It is estimated that 80% of climate change policy will be delivered at the sub-national level – for example, in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the English provinces.
That is why I am in California today, attending the global climate summit hosted by the state's governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. The regional leaders present at the talks – representing regions from Amazonas in Brazil to East Kalimantan in Indonesia – are acting on behalf of hundred of millions of people. Their constituencies face the same challenge we all do: how to lower carbon emissions while also providing viable transport, education, health and economic development. California itself has a population of more than 36 million people, and faces some tough questions over energy and water supply. The state's actions on greenhouse gases will make a major contribution to the efforts of the US.
I want to use this event to generate political momentum ahead of Copenhagen. We must show national leaders the vital role smaller regions will have to play in averting runaway climate change.
No one can accuse Wales of shirking its responsibility orcoming to the debating table empty-handed. The Welsh assembly has already made a commitment to cut annual emissions by 3% a year from 2011, enabling an 80% reduction before 2050. We are now also looking at emission-reduction scenarios of 6-9% a year. Our strategy is nearly finalised, with a baseline against which to measure future emissions reductions. We are backing our commitment with £300m of funding.
For Wales, this debate has almost come full circle. In the 19th century, we led the world in energy development when Welsh coal powered the industrial revolution that made the modern world. We now want to lead the way with a 21st-century green revolution to help create a low-carbon world.
Negotiators at the Copenhagen talks will ignore small nations and regions at their peril. Any new climate change agreement must be truly worldwide, from the bottom up as well as the top down: we need a deal that can be taken on and taken forward by all levels of government, from global superpowers to local authorities.
• Jane Davidson is the Welsh environment minister