In the run up to MIPIM this year, much was made of the expectation that it would be a public sector fest, and so it has proved. A huge number of cities and regions are out in Cannes all keen to explain the benefits of investing in their particular view of the future.

The perceived failure of world leaders to reach agreement at Copenhagen in December last year seems to have done little to dampen the enthusiasm surrounding sustainability and green issues, particularly in the public sector. The low carbon agenda remains centre stage, not only in terms of the nature of projects planned and underway but also as a key requirement on the private sector partners the public sector are seeking to work with.

Of course the real estate sector is no stranger to green issues and sustainability in terms of building design and construction methods driven by energy and carbon efficiency and rapidly changing law and policy. The UK leads the way, as might be expected, with the fast approaching CRC energy efficiency scheme focussing minds.

The UK cities & regions exhibiting in Cannes hope to attract private sector partners that can help with a range of issues, from guiding them through energy and planning law and policy issues to helping them in their search for alternative funding options. The abiding message I take away from my many meetings is the public sector's need for private sector partners to help them assemble integrated infrastructure solutions that maximise clean technology options and leverage off the local industrial mix.

But public sector procurement teams also understand the need for them to take a lead on sustainability issues within their own projects, and will examine closely the environmental credentials of firms looking to do business with them. More so now than ever, private sector companies selling low carbon solutions must consider the green credentials of their own business operations, and undertaking a carbon footprinting exercise is a key first step.

This might sound daunting, but there are many places to go for help. A good starting point is the Mayday Network - a Prince of Wales initiative led by Business in the Community. Membership of the network is free of charge and offers a wealth of resource and support to businesses of all shapes and sizes. Visit www.maydaynetwork.com to learn more.

At a summit in London last month, the Prince of Wales spoke passionately about the need for SMEs in particular to embrace the carbon agenda by engaging with initiatives like the Mayday Network, and the consequential business benefits will increasingly be the key motivation for doing so.

However, the onus doesn't entirely rest with the private sector; it is imperative that the public sector recognises the value of sustainable solutions over the long term and shuns the pursuit of lowest initial cost above all else - admittedly a real challenge as budget constraints begin to bite. And that's another message that's hopefully coming through here at Mipim this year.

The irony of my writing this blog posting from Cannes is not lost on me and the carbon emissions from my flight here and back are offset by my donation to the Martineau offset fund. This money helps fund charitable projects pursuing a low carbon agenda within the local community.

MIPIM 2010 is proving a serious affair but with a strong streak of optimism for the coming year - long may this continue.