GHANA'S ENVIRONMENT MINISTER SHARES COPENHAGEN EXPECTATIONS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 001288

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SUBJECT: GHANA'S ENVIRONMENT MINISTER SHARES COPENHAGEN EXPECTATIONS
WITH AMBASSADOR

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1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In a meeting with the Ambassador on December 2,
Ghana's Environment, Science and Technology Minister, Sherry
Ayittey, shared Ghana's expectations for the 15th Conference of the
Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in
Copenhagen. The Minister welcomed the provisional 17 percent
emissions reduction target that the U.S. announced on November 25.
President Obama's attendance at Copenhagen raised hopes that a
comprehensive and equitable deal could be reached, she said. At the
same time, she urged the U.S. to make substantial financial
commitments at Copenhagen to assist developing countries in
mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change. While
Ghana is unlikely to break ranks publicly within the Africa Group
and G77, Ghana could play a constructive and moderating role to help
increase the chances for reaching a deal at Copenhagen. END
SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) In a December 2 meeting with Ghana's Minister for
Environment, Science and Technology, Sherry Ayittey, the Ambassador
shared the U.S. vision for the upcoming Copenhagen Climate Change
Summit, including President Obama's attendance and the provisional
17 percent emissions reduction target that the U.S. announced on
November 25.

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U.S. Engagement Raises Chances for Success
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3. (SBU) Minister Ayittey noted that her ministry hosted Ghana's
National Climate Change Forum on December 2 (reported septel) and
had announced that Ghanaian President John Evans Atta Mills would
attend the Copenhagen Summit, while the minister will serve as the
deputy head of Ghana's delegation. She said that many developing
countries had been worried in recent months about the level of U.S.
commitment to the negotiating process, but the announcements of a
provisional U.S. emissions reduction target and of President
Obama's attendance had significantly raised the prospects of a
successful outcome in Copenhagen.

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U.S. Target OK, But Needs Aid Behind It
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4. (SBU) She noted that the U.S. provisional 17 percent reduction
target was actually a bit higher than she had expected, since based
on discussions in October, many developing countries had anticipated
that the U.S. would not commit to more than a 15 percent reduction
in emissions by the Copenhagen Summit. That said, the Minister
repeatedly urged the Ambassador to convey the message that President
Obama should make a substantial commitment of financial assistance
and technology transfer to help developing countries mitigate and
adapt to the effects of climate change.


5. (SBU) She maintained that a robust U.S. financial commitment at
Copenhagen would build on the "tens of billions" of dollars in
commitments and pledges that developing countries were expecting
from the UK, EU and Japan. Once there was more clarity on the level
of funding and technical assistance that could be expected from the
developed world, she noted that Ghana would work to define areas in
its climate change and science, technology and innovation policy
where there could be potential collaboration with the U.S.

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Major Developing States Must Stand Behind Commitments
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6. (SBU) In response to the Ambassador's queries regarding emissions
targets for the major developing countries, such as China, India and
Brazil, the Minister said she agreed with the notion that those
countries should make emissions reduction commitments. In the
minister's view, China's November 26 announcement of a 40-45 percent
reduction in its emissions intensity by 2020 might prove to be
"negligible" on an absolute basis, once a careful analysis of the
proposal was completed. The minister also accepted the principle
that major developing economies' commitments needed to be
transparent and verifiable, though she noted that there should be
flexibility on the methods of reporting emission reductions.


7. (SBU) The Minister agreed with the Ambassador that the tone at
Copenhagen should remain constructive, with a focus on achieving a
strong and comprehensive political agreement, and with the prospect
of a legally binding agreement to follow at subsequent meetings
within the next 3-6 months.


8. (SBU) On other climate change issues, Minister Ayittey noted that
Ghana wanted to see a separate agreement at Copenhagen on tropical

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forest conservation and "REDD" (reducing emissions from
deforestation and forest degradation),most likely in the form of an
addendum to the main political agreement. She also argued that the
Kyoto Protocol should remain in force until 2012 and then could
possibly be extended.

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COMMENT
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9. (SBU) Ghana is not likely to vocally break ranks with the Africa
Group or G77 at Copenhagen. That said, Minister Ayittey clearly
recognizes the seriousness of the U.S. emissions reduction offer and
President Obama's attendance. Ghana could play a constructive role
in helping to moderate the rhetoric from more outspoken developing
countries, thereby setting a tone in Copenhagen that increases the
chances for a successful outcome.

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