FINLAND HOPEFUL GOING INTO BALI CLIMATE CONFERENCE

UNCLAS HELSINKI 000855 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV ENRG KGHG FI SUBJECT: FINLAND HOPEFUL GOING INTO BALI CLIMATE CONFERENCE REF: SECSTATE 159374 ¶1. (SBU) Econoff delivered reftel demarche on the U.S. position on climate change going into the UN Climate Conference in Bali to Ms. Outi Berghall and Ms. Sirkka Haunia from the Finnish Environment Ministry. As Finland's chief climate negotiator, Berghall will lead the Finnish delegation prior to the Ministerial portion of the Conference. Berghall said she was 'hopeful' that a concrete roadmap forward would come out of Bali, with the prospects of a final agreement being reached in Copenhagen. Berghall continued by stressing positive U.S. movement on climate change - including the Major Economies effort - is having a significant impact on developing countries choosing to participate more fully in the UNFCCC process. ¶2. (SBU) Berghall shared that Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen will insist that climate change be on the agenda of all bilateral high level meetings the Finnish government participates in for the foreseeable future. Berghall will retire soon, leaving her likely incumbent to be Sirkka Haunia, also from the Environment Ministry. Comment: -------------- ¶3. (SBU) There is an air of confident optimism in Finland heading into the Bali conference. Despite the potential for disagreement, Finland recognizes significant momentum on the part of the U.S. on climate change. For the Finns, success in Bali hinges on formulating a strong roadmap that will ultimately lead to binding commitments. Berghall indicated her concern over potential leakage in any agreement, even if such agreements were legally binding. End Comment. WARE