A lot of surprise—including from President Barack Obama himself—greeted today’s announcement that he had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. After all, he’s only been in office nine months. But, the Nobel committee said it isn’t achievement so much as the hope of achievement that Obama has brought to the world, especially when it comes to climate change:

“Thanks to Obama’s initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting.”

This award could encourage Obama to actually lead the U.S. delegation two months from now when it heads to Cophenhagen for the world climate summit. Who knows, he might even arrive with something from Congress in his back pocket.