, science and policy making, assuming renewed urgency with the release of the 4th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)1 in 2007. Despite the 5% emission reduction commitment (relative to 1990 levels) entered by Annex 1 country Parties,2 the report indicated the need for further drastic reductions amounting to a cut of 25–40% in the near term by Annex 1 country Parties3 to ensure a meaningful reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. However, participation in the form of concerted global action – involving