John Ashton, the Foreign Secretary's special representative for climate change visited Washington to discuss key challenges in the run up to Copenhagen. In a piece filmed for www.actoncopenhagen.gov.uk, John talks in front of the US Capitol of the urgency of the challenge and the need to accelerate the transition to low carbon around the world. He opens by noting the need to:  

'Build a level of ambition and urgency in the major economies so that we can make major commitments for the mid-term which are compatible with the two degree outcome'.  But goes on to highlight the 'high degree of strategic alignment between the European Union, including the UK, and the United States.'

The short speech goes on to cover the importance of achieving a finance agreement that protects vulnerable nations as set out in the UK vision recently presented by the Prime Minister. John stresses the importance of the upcoming G20 Summit in Pittsburgh for gaining consensus on financing in advance of Copenhagen.  

In the run up to Copenhagen, global consensus is needed on wide range of distinct challenges with financing, deforestation and accelerating the deployment of low carbon technologies being just three which John highlights in the piece. 'We need a strong Copenhagen outcome if we are to have a real prospect of security, prosperity and equity going forward', he said in closing.