Royal Society meeting held on 12 and 13 December 2001:The meeting was attended by over 150 participants from academia, business and non-governmental organisations. The meeting focused on the latest advances in our understanding of the science of climate change and its potential economic, social and environmental impacts; recent technological developments and possible national and international responses to climate change. Following two days of lively debate, Professor David King, the Governments Chief Scientific Advisor, chaired a discussion panel summarising the key points of the meeting.