John Prescott and Hilary Benn were among the political heavyweights discussing climate change at 'Countdown to Copenhagen'.

Hosted by the Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy, this debate was introduced by University of Leeds’ Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Arthur and chaired by Centre Director, Professor Andy Gouldson.

The panel comprised:

- Franny Armstrong, Director of the Age of Stupid and founder of the 10:10 campaign

- the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Secretary ofTemplate for new pages State for DEFRA

- Edward McMillan Scott MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament

- the Rt Hon John Prescott MP, Leader of the British delegation to the Council of Europe/ Rapporteur for Climate Change for the Council of Europe

- Ashok Sinha, Director of the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition

The debate, which was a catalyst for a lively open question and answer session with an audience comprising students, university staff, people from the city and region working on climate-change/sustainability, activists and members of the public, explored issues such as:

- Given the latest scientific evidence on climate change, what kind of global deal does the world need?

- What are the obstacles to achievement at Copenhagen and how can these be overcome?

- What should the UK and the EU be doing to enhance the prospects for an ambitious global deal at Copenhagen?

- How can activists/other interested parties best maintain political pressure on Government/other decision makers?

- How will Government ministries work together to deliver on commitments made at Copenhagen?

- What impacts might a global deal at Copenhagen have on the economy and society in the UK and internationally?