U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTS VISIT AUSTRIA

UNCLAS VIENNA 002627

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SENV
SUBJECT: U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTS VISIT AUSTRIA



1. (U) To promote U.S.-Austria environmental cooperation, the
Foreign Ministry sponsored an intensive week-long program
from Aug. 7-14 for a group of 10 American environmental
experts. The group included representatives from federal,
state, and local governments; Congress; universities;
business and business groups; and environmental NGOs. The
program included meetings with government and political
representatives, but was largely focused on showing off
Austrian environmental technology.


2. (U) At dinner with Embassy representatives October 9,
reactions from the group to the first days of the program
varied considerably. A U.S. Chamber of Commerce VP was
unimpressed with Austrian technology and very concerned about
the focus on "cap and trade" models for reducing greenhouse
gas emissions. On the other hand, a NYC official thought her
city could learn much from what Vienna is doing. The Staff
Director for the House Subcommittee on Water
Resources/Environment also thought the U.S. could learn from
Austria.


3. (U) Despite their differing views, the participants were
all eager to follow-up the visit in practical ways. A
California professor hoped to organize a
California/U.S.-Austria conference in 2008 on environmental
studies in Austria. An expert from the American Council on
Renewable Energy saw opportunities for selling U.S. renewable
fuels in Austria; Embassy officials plan to follow-up and
support this idea. Even the Chamber of Commerce participant
thought it would be useful to arrange a visit to Austria by a
small group of experts who could engage in public diplomacy
on the U.S. business community's environmental activities.
McCaw