But the climate is hot, so the political discussions in the Bali corridors are generating high viewing ratings and large numbers of copies sold. For the first time in history, climate change is a unique selling point, at least for the media.

The large media attention makes this Bali summit – the thirteenth in a row – a very special one. Climate conference watchers are experiencing huge pressure for information from the outside world. Nevertheless the officials play their game: tough negotiations about the text, putting the 25-40% emission reduction figure between [brackets], or removing them again, with potentially billions of Euros at stake in the discussions flying across the table. Still, at the time of writing, people are optimistic about the outcome. "Nobody can afford to go home without an agreement," said one Bali watcher to me. That even applies to the Americans, who know more about the eye of the camera than anyone else.

Meanwhile, in other parts of the world, work on more sustainable energy supplies continues. With hundreds of ministers talking in Bali, other parts of the world are experiencing new wind farms, solar power plants or factories, zero-emission buildings, new research or demonstrations: the real thing.

Just let me pick one of them: a demonstration site for sea algae near Hawaii. I know, it's just a minor project, compared to a multi-million offshore wind energy site, but it helps to illustrate my point; we need to explore all promising developments. Sea algae for biofuels production are just one of those developments. Ministers finalising their discussion tomorrow night, should realise their decisions will really make a difference for these kind of developments. A favourable Bali decision will eventually focus the eyes of the world on these projects, turning them from 'promising' into 'big business'.

Rolf de Vos
Editor in chief
GreenPrices
r.devos@greenprices.com