NEW ZEALAND: PROPOSAL TO HOST SCIENCE FELLOW

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000304

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/ANP DRICCI AMD OES/STC SHART

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KSCA TSPL SENV AMGT OTRA APER NZ
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND: PROPOSAL TO HOST SCIENCE FELLOW

REF: A. SECSTATE 30914

B. WELLINGTON 108

C. WELLINGTON 36

D. 06 WELLINGTON 670


1. (SBU) Summary: As part of the 2007 Embassy Science Fellow
Program, Embassy Wellington proposes to host for three months
a USG scientist with research interests in biofuels and
associated renewable energy technologies. Familiarity with
hydrogen, geothermal and marine (wave and tidal) technologies
would also be highly desirable. Having a fellow able to
increase contacts with the GNZ in these areas as well as
promote public understanding of the importance of US-NZ
scientific cooperation would help our post meet some of its
key Mission Strategic Plan goals. It would also help us make
further progress under the 2002 U.S.-New Zealand bilateral
climate change partnership. The GNZ would enthusiastically
welcome such a fellow as well. Biofuels and bioenergy are
identified as strategic priorities in the 2006 Energy Roadmap
published by the New Zealand Ministry for Research, Science
and Technology. These objectives are consistent with USG
interests as well. End Summary.

Proposal: Host a USG Biofuels Scientist
--------------

2. Embassy Wellington seeks a USG scientist with research
expertise and interest in biofuels as a renewable energy
technology. The Embassy envisions a three-month program
based out of the Embassy some time between July and
mid-December 2007. The focus of the fellow's work would be
to build relationships with key GNZ ministries and Crowne
Research Institutes engaged in energy and climate change
science in order to identify opportunities for greater
governmental and private scientific cooperation. Potential
GNZ partners include the Ministry of Research, Science and
Technology; Ministry for the Environment; Ministry of
Agriculture and Forestry; Ministry of Economic Development;
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, Ministry of
Transport, AgResearch, Scion (forestry),and GNS Science
(physical sciences).


3. In addition to the relevant science expertise, the ideal
candidate would be comfortable interacting with persons
outside of the research science community, including meeting
with government ministers and a broad range of public
officials, academics, and journalists. US-NZ cooperation in
science, especially in areas touching on environmental and
climate change issues, has been a strong and enduring element
in bilateral cooperation and offers significant opportunity
to build public support in New Zealand for that cooperation.
Public presentations and media interviews would be a core
component of the program. The candidate should also
anticipate some limited travel within New Zealand.


4. (SBU) While a security clearance is not necessary for the
candidate, a top secret security clearance would greatly
facilitate the successful candidate's ease of movement and
integration into the Chancery office space. While a medical
clearance is not necessary, the Embassy recommends that the
successful candidate review insurance coverage to ensure the
ability to access and pay for any necessary medical care,
including coverage for any potential medical evacuation. The
Embassy will provide housing, office support, in-country
travel arrangements (as applicable),and other logistical
support information.


5. (SBU) Embassy point of contact is Environment, Science,
Health and Technology Officer Tod Duran. Contact details are
as follows:

Office: 644-462-6043
Fax: 644-472-3537
Cell: 027-451-2538
E-mail: DuranTE@state.gov

Background: Bilateral Science Cooperation
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6. (SBU) The U.S. and New Zealand have had a science and
technology cooperative agreement since 1974 (renewed in
1991),but bilateral scientific efforts began well before
that, including since 1957 extensive cooperation in
Antarctica. Whereas other aspects of the bilateral
relationship have waxed and waned over the years, bilateral
scientific cooperation has remained strong and constant, and
forty percent of Kiwi scientists have ties to American
research. Regrettably, the New Zealand public remains
largely unaware of this. As part of Mission New Zealand's
ongoing efforts to improve US-NZ ties, we have made
publicizing bilateral scientific efforts a key goal in our
Mission Strategic Plan.

7. (SBU) In October 2002, the U.S. and New Zealand initiated
a Bilateral Climate Change Partnership to enhance and
accelerate practical cooperation on climate change issues.
The initial round of 26 projects was launched in 2003 and has
grown to three dozen projects in nine priority areas:
climate change science, technology development, greenhouse
gas accounting in forestry and agriculture, engagement with
business, emissions registries, cooperation with developing
countries, climate change research in Antarctica, public
education initiatives, and product & process standards (Ref
C). Climate change is an issue that attracts a lot of
attention with the New Zealand public, whose negative opinion
of U.S. policies on the issue is typically linked to our
decision not to join the Kyoto Agreement.


8. (SBU) In January 2007, coincident with a commemoration of
the 50th anniversary of U.S. - New Zealand cooperation in
Antarctica, OES A/S McMurray visited New Zealand to promote
and better understand the relevance of the cooperative
scientific effort, both for the underlying science itself as
well as for the overall bilateral relationship. Energy and
climate change were principal features of the visit (Ref B).
GNZ officials told A/S McMurray that formulating an effective
New Zealand climate change policy is especially challenging
because the country's agriculturally-based economy is both
sensitive to the effects of climate change and the major
contributor to New Zealand's emissions. In a welcome
paradox, this same agricultural base provides a platform that
New Zealand can leverage to participate in U.S. efforts to
develop biofuel technologies.

Biofuels as a Cooperation Opportunity
--------------

9. (SBU) In July 2006, the GNZ put forward an economy-wide
climate change strategy to coordinate the sometimes
competitive policy interests of the energy, transport and
land management sectors. Energy Minister David Parker, who
is also the country's Minister responsible for Climate Change
Issues, provided U.S. officials with one example of how it is
difficult in practice for GNZ to find the balance between
these competing priorities. Citing interest by ExxonMobil
and Chevron in exploring hydrocarbon development off New
Zealand's southern coast, Parker admitted that this
exploration would be at odds with the Government's stated
preference for renewable resources. But, he added, New
Zealand has to consider all options because it will face
increasing energy supply and security challenges as the
country's North Island natural gas reserves wane (Ref B). In
December 2006, the Ministry for Research, Science and
Technology published its Energy Roadmap for Science, which
identifies biofuels and bioenergy as a strategic priority for
a balanced approach to address climate change while
maintaining economic and energy security. In March 2007,
Helen Andersen, Chief Executive of the Ministry of Research,
Science and Technology told DCM David Keegan and ESTH Officer
Tod Duran that GNZ would strongly support a U.S. science
fellow. She particularly endorsed our proposal for a
scientist with a background in biofuel technology.

Precedent: Prior Speaker Demonstrates Value
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10. (SBU) In October 2006, visiting U.S. scientist Dr.
Timothy Coutts, a Research Fellow at the National Renewable
Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Colorado, gave a talk on solar
energy at the Embassy just prior to his return to the U.S.
after a two-month fellowship at Canterbury University in
Christchurch. Coutts gave a fascinating overview of renewable
energy issues with a focus on thin-film solar cell
technology, its applications and related issues. The audience
of 47 included representatives from energy-related government
departments (the Ministry for the Environment and the Energy
Efficiency & Conservation Authority),the trade and economics
sectors (Ministry of Economic Development, Meridian Energy,
Todd Energy, NZ Exchange Ltd.),and the general public with
an interest in renewable energy issues. The enthusiasm
demonstrated by the audience provides a strong indicator that
the proposed science fellow would add real value to the
Mission's efforts to sustain the global environment while
promoting economic growth.
McCormick