NEW SENIOR JAPANESE ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY OFFICIALS

UNCLAS TOKYO 002106 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR G, E, OES, EEB STATE PASS CEQ FOR LANDON VAN DYKE STATE PASS NSC FOR JONATHAN SHRIER AND PAUL BROWN DOE FOR S-3 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV ENRG KGHG PGOV JA SUBJECT: NEW SENIOR JAPANESE ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY OFFICIALS INTERESTED IN WHAT'S NEXT FOR MAJOR ECONOMIES PROCESS ¶1. (SBU) The Ministry of Environment's new Director General for Global Environment Tatshushi Terada and new Councilor for Global Environment Masaru Moriya praised the Major Economies Meetings (MEM) and inquired about next steps during a courtesy call with EMIN July 28. Terada said he appreciates the value of the MEM, especially the inclusion of the emerging economies, but was unclear how it would feed into the UN process on climate change and how the MEM would proceed following the Toyako meeting. He noted the MEM is more manageable than working with 190 countries in the UN process and saw a need for the forums to continue working together. Moriya asked if the U.S. had any plans for the MEM in the run-up to the UNFCCC meeting in Posnan. EMIN noted the President's statements on the outcome of the G8 Summit in Lake Toya and the Major Economies Leaders meeting. He repeated earlier USG statements on the MEM feeding into the UN process. ¶2. (SBU) Terada said he understood the Executive and Legislative branches of the U.S. government each have a role to play in approving U.S. participation in any post-Kyoto climate change framework. Noting the Senate had passed a resolution with conditions for U.S. participation following the Kyoto Protocol negotiations, he asked what level of developing country participation would be needed to get Senate approval of any new framework. Referring to "common but differentiated responsibilities," he characterized the U.S. Senate as more interested in the "common responsibilities" developing countries should share with the developed world. That said, Terada agreed it is essential for China and other large emerging and developing countries to participate if a post-Kyoto framework is to be effective. (Note: While Terada is not comfortable speaking in English, he spent the past year at the East-West Center in Honolulu and displayed a good grasp of U.S. political processes. Moriya, on the other hand, showed strong English speaking/comprehension skills. End note). ¶3. (SBU) Both Moriya and Terada focused on the sectoral approach. Moriya said many in Japan see the sectoral approach as a way to "invite" developing countries to increase energy efficiency. He said the question remains how much technology to transfer and how to affect the transfer. Once developing countries have the technology in place, he stressed the need will be to ensure proper maintenance of the equipment in order to maximize the benefit. Terada added that the sectoral approach could also address the problem of carbon leakage and unfair trade advantages. EMIN noted other Japanese officials also frequently note economic competition, technology transfer and IPR concerns are all important issues connected with achieving the necessary engagement by emerging market and other developing countries in an effective post-Kyoto framework. The MOE officials also asked if the U.S. favors legally binding targets for the emerging economies. EMIN referred them to USG statements regarding national, mid-term plans and the need for verifiable and quantifiable actions. SCHIEFFER