SWEDEN'S GOALS FOR POST-KYOTO CLIMATE COOPERATION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STOCKHOLM 001922

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV ENRG KSCA SW
SUBJECT: SWEDEN'S GOALS FOR POST-KYOTO CLIMATE COOPERATION


1. Summary: Ambassador Wood met with Sweden's new Minister
of Environment, Mr. Andreas Carlgren, for the first time
December 6. Topics of discussion included Sweden's desire to
play a leadership role in setting the stage for a post-Kyoto
international agreement to combat global warming, Ambassador
Wood's initiative to partner with Sweden on achieving a
technological breakthrough on alternative energy, and
Minister Carlgren's upcoming trip to the United States
(January 7-13, Washington D.C., Sacramento, and Los Angeles).
End summary.


2. Ambassador Wood began the meeting by holding up an article
on climate change that had appeared that morning in one of
Sweden's two major daily newspapers. The article, based on a
report released in November in the U.S. by the "Earth Policy
Institute," named the United States and China as the world's
two largest emitters of greenhouse gases, voiced suspicion
that the "real numbers" for China were probably higher than
reported, and concluded that China would do nothing to reduce
its emissions without the United States leading the way.
Ambassador Wood used the article as a point of departure for
detailing why the United States was unable to support Kyoto,
and describing what we are doing to combat global warming.
Ambassador Wood highlighted that the U.S. is contributing
more resources than any other country in pursuit of
developing alternative/clean energy technologies, and is the
single largest contributor to climate research. The
Ambassador stated that his and U.S. Embassy Stockholm's "One
Big Thing" initiative - to support collaboration with Sweden
to achieve a technological breakthrough on alternative
energy, had the support of President Bush.

Sweden's assessment of the Nairobi Climate Conference
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3. Minister Carlgren told Ambassador Wood that he had led
Sweden's delegation to the recently-concluded UN Climate
Conference in Nairobi. Ambassador Wood asked for his
impressions and evaluation of the event. Carlgren reported
that Sweden had played a key role in some of the discussions
towards the end of the meeting, and that he had consequently
"learned how difficult it will be" to pull China, India,
Brazil, and Saudi Arabia towards cooperation on reducing
emissions. "The problem (in this area) is not just with the
U.S." Carlgren said. Carlgren characterized the conference
as "successful" - although he had hoped participants would be
able to accomplish more. Among the successes, he named the
agreement to conduct a comprehensive review of Kyoto by the
end of 2008, in time, Carlgren stated, for Sweden to begin
focusing on what will follow Kyoto, when Sweden assumes the
EU Presidency in 2009. Carlgren stated that, given the
threat posed by global warming as outlined in the Stearn
Report and others, countries have to work together to find a
solution -- "there has to be a solution post-Kyoto."

Moving beyond Kyoto - Sweden wants to help lead
-------------- --

4. In the spirit of beginning to grapple with the issue of
"what next," Minister Carlgren informed Ambassador that
Sweden intends to host a conference in June 2007 in the
Swedish Arctic (Kiruna, tentative dates: June 11-14) which
will build on a 2005 conference hosted by Denmark in
Greenland (U.S. reportedly participated),and continued in
Capetown in 2006 (U.S. did not participate). Sweden wants to
invite 25 countries from Europe and elsewhere that "will have
a role to play in the post-Kyoto system." Carlgren invited
the United States, through Ambassador Wood, to participate,
and stated that Sweden intends to send out formal invitations
within the next few weeks. Carlgren stated that invited
states would be expected to participate at the minister level
(exceptions to be made only for the United States, China, and
India). Carlgren stated that the conference would be "very
informal," would involve think tanks, and would be aimed at
producing a short document describing a post-Kyoto solution.

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"No one will have to take a formal, official postion,"
Carlgren said. "We're just looking at how to go forward."
Ambassador Wood replied that he would be very interested in
attending and would consult with Washington regarding who,
given the conference's focus, would most appropriately lead
the U.S. delegation. (Note: Ambassador Wood recommends that,
given the high level of participation, the U.S. should send
the highest level representative possible. Ambassador Wood
suggests Undersecretary for Democracy and Global Affairs
Paula Dobriansky head USDel.)

Collaborating with Sweden on the "One Big Thing"
-------------- ---

5. With regard to pursuing a technological solution to
global warming, Minister Carlgren asked Ambassador Wood how
Swedish reaction to his "One Big Thing" initiative has been.
Ambassador noted that there was skepticism from Swedish
contacts at first, but that this was being replaced by
enthusiasm. Ambassador noted that we have much to contribute
to and learn from each other, stating that he had been
surprised to learn that Sweden's first ethanol factory was
built in 1908, and that 15 percent of all of Sweden's gas
stations sell ethanol (compared with half a percent of U.S.
gas stations). Ambassador Wood stated that President Bush
would like to see 20 percent of U.S. gas stations selling
ethanol in the mid-term. Ambassador Wood described Post's
plans to serve as a match-maker between U.S. and Swedish
researchers and scientists, as well as between businesses and
investors. He also discussed plans to establish a Fulbright
Scholarship in support of alternative energy research and an
award for an innovator who is successful at brining a
promising new energy technology to market. Carlgren
expressed appreciation and support for the Ambassador's
initiative and asked us to keep in mind opportunities for
Sweden's Environment Ministry to support the initiative.

Minister Carlgren's January 7-13 Trip to U.S.
--------------

6. Minister Carlgren and his staff are in the process of
planning his upcoming trip to the United States. Current
plans are for him to spend two days in Washington, one day in
Sacramento, and one day in Los Angeles. Given our mutual
interest in biofuels and clean energy, Ambassador suggested
that it would be very worthwhile for Minister Carlgren to try
and meet with DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Energy, Andy Karsner. Ambassador Wood also
offered to assist with helping to arrange additional
appointments in Washington. Post will follow up with
Washington-based offices and agencies as we learn additional
details from Minister Carlgren and his staff. At the
conclusion of his time in Washington, Carlgren will travel
with a delegation of ten Swedish companies to participate in
programs related to energy efficiency, sustainable cities,
and biogas. These are primarily areas of interest identified
in a MOU between Sweden and the State of California signed in
Stockholm in June of 2006.

Comment
--------------

7. Ambassador Wood got off to a very good start with
Sweden's new Minister for Environment. Minister Carlgren was
impressed by the Ambassador's "One Big Thing" initiative, and
grateful for the offer of help with his upcoming trip to the
U.S. Minister Carlgren also appeared to take to heart the
Ambassador's explanation of why the U.S. found it impossible
to support the Kyoto Protocol and his frank advice that, if
we are to have meaningful international cooperation on global
warming in the future, we need to get past
finger-pointing/wagging, and look for opportunities to engage
in meaningful activities that work.
WOOD