Twenty thousand people, including about 40 heads of state, are in Copenhagen to decide how the world should respond to escalating climate change over the next half century. Copenhagen should serve as a foundation for and springboard to a new legally binding global climate agreement. Success at the Copenhagen summit is essential for our children’s children’s future. This World Resources Institute paper, identifies key elements for a successful and possible outcome in Copenhagen. These include a clear set of follow-on negotiations to complete a legally binding agreement.