Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07HELSINKI421
2007-06-05 11:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Helsinki
Cable title:  

FINLAND WELCOMES PRESIDENT BUSH'S CLIMATE CHANGE

Tags:  CLMT SENV ENRG FI 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5669
RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA
RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHHE #0421 1561149
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 051149Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3419
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS HELSINKI 000421 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE OES/EGC ED FENDLEY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CLMT SENV ENRG FI
SUBJECT: FINLAND WELCOMES PRESIDENT BUSH'S CLIMATE CHANGE
LEADERSHIP

REF: A. SECSTATE 74417


B. SECSTATE 75287

UNCLAS HELSINKI 000421

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE OES/EGC ED FENDLEY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CLMT SENV ENRG FI
SUBJECT: FINLAND WELCOMES PRESIDENT BUSH'S CLIMATE CHANGE
LEADERSHIP

REF: A. SECSTATE 74417


B. SECSTATE 75287


1. (SBU) Following the President's new proposal on climate
change, Econoff briefed Outi Berghall, Director of the
International Climate Change Project at the Finnish Ministry
of Environment and Vice Chair of the Kyoto Ad Hoc Working
Group (AWG) on Further Commitments, as well as key contacts
at the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Finnish
government contacts welcomed the President's climate
proposal, stating it would greatly strengthen international
resolve to address climate change. Berghall was especially
intrigued by the Bush Administration,s plan to promote
funding for climate-friendly initiatives in developing
countries. Berghall plans to brief Environment Minister
Paula Lehtomaki on this "significant announcement" soon;
Lehtomaki sits on the GOF,s Climate and Energy Security
Ministerial Committee. MFA contacts added that U.S.
leadership in addressing the challenges of climate change is
perfect timing and that the message should be well received
during the up-coming G8 meetings.


2. (SBU) According to Berghall, EU Energy Commissioner Andris
Piebalgs, while speaking at an energy seminar in Helsinki on
June 1, said the Bush Administration proposal was "the most
important news this year" related to climate change. He
continued by stating the proposal has already generated a
great deal of interest in the EU, and he expects this
proposal to be a starting point for additional international
cooperation.


3. (U) Thus far Finnish press coverage on the new proposal
has been light. Under the leadership of Ambassador Ware,
Embassy Helsinki plans to engage additional high ranking
government and media contacts to build Finnish public and
governmental support for the President's climate change
proposal. Traditionally the GOF has been a strong European
advocate for addressing climate change by pushing energy
efficiency and clean energy technology.
WARE