AMBASSADOR DEMARCHES MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT ON US

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 002189 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR USEPA E.O. 12598: N/A TAGS: EPET ECON EINV ENRG EAID PGOV NI SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DEMARCHES MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT ON US POSITIONS FOR COPENHAGEN REF: E-MAIL MESSAGE FROM DSECC PERSHING, 11/25/2009 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Ambassador encouraged the Government of Nigeria (GON) on December 3 to support the Danish Plan for a "politically binding" operational agreement at the upcoming climate change negotiations in Copenhagen and highlighted the figures on U.S. emission reductions per reftel. Minister of Environment John Odey expressed Nigeria's pleasure with President Obama's announcement to participate in the Copenhagen conference and said this is a significant and encouraging step. He said Vice President Goodluck Jonathan is scheduled to represent Nigeria at the head-of-state level during the December 12-16 period of the conference. He added that Africa wants to see the Kyoto Protocol renewed when it expires in 2012. Africa wants to see real emissions reduction commitments and assistance figures by the developed world. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) Ambassador Sanders, using points provided by the Department, demarched Minister of Environment John Odey on recent developments on U.S. positions for Copenhagen on December 3. ESTH Officer attended as note taker. The Ambassador said the Danish Plan for a "politically binding" agreement is the best available option and encouraged the GON to support the plan. Odey acknowledged seeing the Danish Plan but was non-committal. He expressed Nigeria's pleasure with President Obama's announcement of participation in the Copenhagen conference on December 9 and said the President's participation is a significant and encouraging step for all. ¶3. (SBU) Odey said Vice President Goodluck Jonathan is scheduled to represent Nigeria at the head-of-state level, beginning on December ¶16. He wondered whether it would be appropriate for President Obama to address technical negotiators on December 9. He added that Nigeria is reaching out to the United Nation Secretariat on how to handle its participation vis-`-vis President Obama's expected attendance on December 9. Odey said the Nigerian delegation will be composed of representatives of the public and private sectors and civil society. (COMMENT: Odey's Special Assistant told ESTH Officer that Nigeria will send around 300 hundred people of which 25 will be from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. End 
COMMENT). ¶4. (SBU) Odey reported that Nigeria's positions for Copenhagen are integrated into the African position. The Ambassador asked what Nigeria's expectations are for Copenhagen. He responded that Africa wants to see real emissions reduction commitments and assistance figures by the developed world. ¶5. (SBU) The measure of success at Copenhagen is whether aggregate emissions reduction figures and financial and technological assistance commitments are commensurate enough to address the problem, according to Odey. The Ambassador responded that the U.S. has put figures on the table (17 percent below the 2005 level in 2020, which is in line with U.S. energy and climate legislation) and supports strengthening developing countries' adaptation and mitigation capabilities. She said this has to be augmented by commitments from other countries. She added that all countries should leverage their own resources by budgeting for adaptation and mitigation efforts and stressed that Nigeria needs to develop its own plan connected to resources. (NOTE: Odey's Special Assistant told ESTH officer that Nigeria - and other African countries - are reluctant to publicly push China and India to commit to significant Qreluctant to publicly push China and India to commit to significant greenhouse emission reductions because of pressure from those countries. END NOTE). ¶6. (SBU) Odey added that Nigeria has put together a draft National Adaptation and Mitigation Plan, which includes a mechanism for implementing the Gas Master Plan. (NOTE: The Gas Master Plan aims to convert flared gas into electric power as well as for use in home cooking. END NOTE). He said implementing the Master Gas Plan is critical for Nigeria to curbing flared gas in the Niger Delta and boosting electricity supply in the country. He said that Nigeria will be looking for support from U.S. businesses to implement the plan. The Ambassador said that the GON had to also do more to commit to implementing the plan, including with resources. The Ambassador asked for the copy of the draft National Adaptation and Mitigation Plan and said it is advisable for the plan to be investment-friendly to attract businesses. The Ambassador summarized USG assistance to the GON on climate change-related capacity-building efforts so far and expressed the U.S. desire for continued engagement in the future. -------------- COMMENT ABUJA 00002189 002 OF 002 -------------- ¶7. (SBU) The Mission believes that Nigeria's interest in implementing its Gas Master Plan to address the twin challenges of gas flaring and electricity shortage might ultimately persuade the GON to support a practical solution at Copenhagen. The Gas Mater Plan will not succeed without private sector involvement, and the Minister believes that private sector involvement will be crucial to realizing the specific benefits of a Copenhagen agreement, such as carbon credits. However, Nigeria needs to show greater political will and commit more of its own resources in partnership with the private sector in order to make this happen. SANDERS