CONNAUGHTON, DOBRIANSKY BRIEF SYG ON MAJOR

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000446 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON SENV KGHG TRGY TSPL UNGA SUBJECT: CONNAUGHTON, DOBRIANSKY BRIEF SYG ON MAJOR ECONOMIES PROCESS -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) In a May 6 meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban, CEQ Chairman Jim Connaughton and U/S Dobriansky briefed on progress in discussions within the Major Economies Meeting process toward a Leaders Statement in July. They also shared details on new U.S. domestic legislation and the recently announced U.S. medium-term emissions goal, as well as optimism over the pace of international negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Secretary-General appreciated U.S. leadership and engagement, noting the key role and responsibility of the U.S. in a future global agreement. End summary. ¶2. (U) Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky and White House Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) Chairman Jim Connaughton, accompanied by staffers and USUN notetaker, paid a call May 6 on UN Secretary-General (SYG) Ban Ki-moon to discuss latest developments in the Major Economies Meeting (MEM) on Energy Security and Climate Change process and the Bali Action Plan negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The SYG was joined by Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Planning Robert Orr, Chef de Cabinet Vijay Nambiar, Deputy Chef de Cabinet Kim Won-soo, First Officer from the SYG's executive office Luis Jimenez-McInnis, and Department of Economic and Social Affairs Development Policy Director Rob Vos. ¶3. (U) After exchanging compliments for the new South Korean government's engagement in climate change discussions, of which SYG Ban keeps close track (new ROK Prime Minister Han recently served as one of the SYG's special climate change envoys),Connaughton and Dobriansky updated the SYG on progress and outstanding issues in the MEM process. Emphasizing U.S. leadership and engagement, Connaughton provided the SYG's team with data concerning major new incentives and binding U.S. mandates, including those contained in the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act, which was passed with strong bipartisan and White House support last fall. Connaughton likewise elaborated further on President Bush's April 16 speech in which he announced a U.S. mid-term target of achieving peak greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2025 and reducing emissions thereafter. He reassured the SYG that U.S. emissions would maintain a ;shallow trajectory until 2025, pointing out that UN data for 2000-2006 show an actual 3 percent decline in U.S. GHG emissions when carbon sinks are incorporated, a figure which compares favorably to other major economies such as the European Union over the same period. ¶4. (SBU) Connaughton outlined the program for upcoming MEM meetings as member states work diligently on a Leaders Statement to be issued at the July 9 MEM Leaders Summit in Japan. A meeting of MEM experts will take place in Washington, DC on May 20-21, followed by a meeting of senior MEM delegates in South Korea in the latter half of June. Connaughton and Dobriansky shared details on the draft text in its current form, and described some of the sticking points still under discussion and the stances of key MEM states on those issues. In particular, Connaughton highlighted discussions underway regarding a long-term global goal for emissions reductions, how mid-term national plans and strategies might be reflected in a future biding international agreement, the role of sectoral approaches, and opportunities for mobilizing financing, including reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers on 43 environmental goods and services identified by the World Bank. ¶5. (SBU) U/S Dobriansky pointed out the progress in MEM discussions had a tangible impact on UNFCCC Ad Hoc Working Group negotiations held in Bangkok in April, further reinforcing the fact that the MEM is fully consistent with, and intended to contribute to, the UNFCCC track. While many key issues remain and ambitions are high, Dobriansky expressed optimism for further productive discussion in the next round of UNFCCC talks in Bonn, and for the UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP) meeting in Poznan, Poland in December. She described her productive consultations with Poland regarding the coming COP. ¶6. (SBU) Connaughton highlighted the climate language in the recent North American Leaders Summit statement as a sign that key emerging economies like Mexico might be willing to take a stronger step forward at the July MEM leaders summit. Connaughton and Dobriansky invited the SYG to encourage further flexibility and progress among key MEM states in those areas where agreement seems within reach. ¶7. (SBU) Sticking closely to his prepared talking points, the SYG emphasized the high hopes for a new climate change regime sparked by the UNFCCC COP in Bali last December. He appreciated U.S. leadership and engagement in convening the MEM and adopting new domestic legislation, saying he was encouraged by what he heard in this meeting despite some of the international criticism following the President's April 16 speech. He nevertheless said the U.S. remains in the spotlight as the most critical country to a future climate change regime, which translates to a tremendous responsibility as well. He reiterated familiar calls that the U.S. "lead by example" and show flexibility, to ensure that the MEM feeds into the UNFCCC process, and to work diligently to engage developing countries, including but not only the major ones. The SYG welcomed U.S. efforts to achieve near-term results and agreed that 2008 is a critical period for progress, expressing worry that any new U.S. Administration in 2009 may require too many precious months to get itself fully organized and engaged in international climate negotiations, which would make it difficult to reach an international agreement by the end of that year. ¶8. (U) CEQ and G have cleared this cable. =Khalilzad NNNN