Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ASHGABAT1301
2007-11-29 13:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:  

UNDP MAKES CLIMATE CHANGE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR

Tags:  SENV EPET ECON TX 
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FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT
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INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
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RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1961
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0646
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001301 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, OES, EEB; STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTDA DAN
STEIN
ENERGY FOR EKIMOFF/THOMPSON
COMMERCE FOR HUEPER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV EPET ECON TX
SUBJECT: UNDP MAKES CLIMATE CHANGE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
TURKMENISTAN


UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001301

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, OES, EEB; STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTDA DAN
STEIN
ENERGY FOR EKIMOFF/THOMPSON
COMMERCE FOR HUEPER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV EPET ECON TX
SUBJECT: UNDP MAKES CLIMATE CHANGE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
TURKMENISTAN



1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.


2. (SBU) At the official launch event on November 28 in
Turkmenistan for UNDP's 2007/2008 Global Human Development
Report entitled "Fighting climate change: Human solidarity
in a divided world," UNDP Resident Representative in
Turkmenistan Richard Young said that Turkmenistan's carbon
emissions are relatively large per capita, due to the common
practice of gas flaring in the energy sector. (NOTE:
Turkmenistan's emission levels approach that of Egypt.
Turkmenistan has an estimated population of five million,
while Egypt has over 76 million inhabitants. END NOTE.)
Young also outlined recommendations for combating climate
change in Turkmenistan:

-- Turkmenistan needs a sustainable energy efficiency policy.
-- Carbon finance could be an effective tool for reducing
emissions in Turkmenistan and boosting Turkmenistan's
economic profit. UNDP can provide support in establishing a
Designated National Authority for Carbon Finance and support
its capacity-building.
-- Reducing internal consumption of gas is a priority item.
-- Adaptation measures must be considered for the protection
of agriculture, water supply, and coastal zone management.
-- Perfect conditions for solar and wind power exist in many
places in Turkmenistan, and should be developed.


3. (SBU) COMMENT: Carbon finance has become a profitable
business for international financial organizations such as
the World Bank, and a whole sub-industry has bloomed around
it in investment banks and consultancies around the world.
The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) -- which Young refers
to in his comments about "establishing a Designated National
Authority for Carbon Finance" -- is a mechanism under the
Kyoto Protocol through which developed countries may finance
projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in developing
countries and receive credits for doing so which they may
apply towards meeting mandatory limits on their own
emissions. Part of the process of starting a CDM program in
any country involves international experts measuring and
analyzing emissions on site: in other words, generating what
would certainly be considered embarrassing statistics. UNDP
is well-positioned to lead Turkmenistan's carbon finance
business, and Turkmenistan has indicated several times that
it is interested in developing alternative energy sources.
Curiously, none of the Turkmen officials attending the
presentation asked any questions, and it is doubtful that
they understood even the basic concept of carbon finance.
Whether or not Turkmenistan is interested in allowing the
necessary data collection -- and if it is ready to commit --
is another question altogether. END COMMENT.
CURRAN