Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BRUSSELS1174
2009-08-25 12:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
USEU Brussels
Cable title:
COMMISSION PERSPECTIVES ON UNFCCC, MEF, AND
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BRUSSELS 001174
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EIND ENRG EUN EWWT KGHG SENV TPHY
TRGY, TSPL
SUBJECT: COMMISSION PERSPECTIVES ON UNFCCC, MEF, AND
TROIKA VISIT TO WASHINGTON
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BRUSSELS 001174
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EIND ENRG EUN EWWT KGHG SENV TPHY
TRGY, TSPL
SUBJECT: COMMISSION PERSPECTIVES ON UNFCCC, MEF, AND
TROIKA VISIT TO WASHINGTON
1. (SBU) This is a corrected version of BRUSSELS 1165
to correct for formatting.
2. (SBU) SUMMARY. Artur Runge-Metzger, Head of Unit
for International Climate Negotiations in the
European CommissionQs Directorate General for
Environment, said that emissions targets for
developed and developing countries, including
discussions of comparability, and financing will be
the key topics during the European UnionQs QTroika
visit to Washington on August 24-25. Separately,
Runge-Metzger feels there is a greater sense of
urgency in the UN climate negotiations, but that
developing countries remain reluctant to engage.
The Major Economies Forum (MEF),he explained, is an
ideal setting to break through some of these
differences. END SUMMARY.
3. (SBU) Swedish Environment Minister Andreas
Carlgren, representing the Presidency of the EU;
Spanish State Secretary for Environment Teresa
Ribera Rodriguez, representing the next Presidency
of the EU; and Jos Delbeke, Deputy Director General
for Environment in the European Commission, will
travel to Washington on August 24-25 to meet with
key U.S. policy-makers on climate change, including
SECC Todd Stern and Deputy National Security Advisor
Michael Froman. Runge-Metzger, speaking on behalf
of Delbeke and the Commission, said to USEU EconOff
that there will be five key topics for coverage
during the Troika:
-- What is achievable in Copenhagen, especially
noting the late date?
-- How can success be orchestrated in
Copenhagen, taking into account the various forums,
such as the MEF, G-20, and the Greenland Dialogue?
-- How can the 2 degree C limit in temperature
rise be addressed, focusing on various pathways to
get there, particularly among developed countries?
This includes discussions of comparability of
emissions targets among developed countries.
-- What should contributions be from developing
countries, noting the backlash on the 2 degree
commitment in the July MEF from several countries,
notably India?
-- Financing. This remains a fairly fluid
topic in the EU, and there remain divisions among
Member States. Runge-Metzger also mentioned that he
views differences between the U.S. and EU positions
on the scale of contributions. For timing in the
EU, the Commission will release a financing proposal
in early to mid-September, in advance of the G-20.
The European Council plans to have conclusions
regarding the proposal agreed by mid-October.
4. (SBU) The dynamics of the Troika will be fairly
relaxed, according to Runge-Metzger. Carlgren will
likely start the conversation, but in small
settings, both Ribera Rodriguez and Delbeke will be
very engaged in the conversation, particularly in
BRUSSELS 00001174 002 OF 003
situations where the Commission has the competence
(such as on carbon markets). (Note. This supports
the notion of collaboration and teamwork between
Sweden, Spain, and the Commission as demonstrated
during the Energy and Environment Ministers meeting
in Are, Sweden at the end of July. End note.)
5. (SBU) Turning to the UN negotiating session that
took place in Bonn from August 10-14, Runge-Metzger
said he feels that the sense of urgenlippines, Seper pathways (such as in the United SQates)
as too difficult to achieve. It wil, be looking for
evidence that various pathways are achievable. On
Waxman-Markey, Runge-Metzer said that the targets
after 2020 will onlyes, with the
exception of Mexico, and to a certain extent, South
Africa, but no noises Qt all from China, India, or
Brazil. This neeQs to be pushed in the MEF. Their
positions need to become clearer and more
transparent, and this issue should be addressed in
the Troika.
8. (SBU) Accounting will also remain a contentious
issue, Runge-Metzger added, and the EU is looking
for more insight into U.S. thinking on how to handle
Land Use, Land Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF),
both for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation in
BRUSSELS 00001174 003 OF 003
Developing Countries (REDD) and for domestic land
use change accounting. Kyoto provided a temporary
solution, but a permanent framework needs to be
addressed.
9. (SBU) Finally, the Commission is looking forward
to the September MEF to be held in Washington,
Runge-Metzger said. The Commission is also
supportive of the concept of a MEF LeaderQs meeting
in November, as the timing after all of the
negotiating sessions and directly ahead of
Copenhagen could be ideal for a last push to move
things forward.
MURRAY
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EIND ENRG EUN EWWT KGHG SENV TPHY
TRGY, TSPL
SUBJECT: COMMISSION PERSPECTIVES ON UNFCCC, MEF, AND
TROIKA VISIT TO WASHINGTON
1. (SBU) This is a corrected version of BRUSSELS 1165
to correct for formatting.
2. (SBU) SUMMARY. Artur Runge-Metzger, Head of Unit
for International Climate Negotiations in the
European CommissionQs Directorate General for
Environment, said that emissions targets for
developed and developing countries, including
discussions of comparability, and financing will be
the key topics during the European UnionQs QTroika
visit to Washington on August 24-25. Separately,
Runge-Metzger feels there is a greater sense of
urgency in the UN climate negotiations, but that
developing countries remain reluctant to engage.
The Major Economies Forum (MEF),he explained, is an
ideal setting to break through some of these
differences. END SUMMARY.
3. (SBU) Swedish Environment Minister Andreas
Carlgren, representing the Presidency of the EU;
Spanish State Secretary for Environment Teresa
Ribera Rodriguez, representing the next Presidency
of the EU; and Jos Delbeke, Deputy Director General
for Environment in the European Commission, will
travel to Washington on August 24-25 to meet with
key U.S. policy-makers on climate change, including
SECC Todd Stern and Deputy National Security Advisor
Michael Froman. Runge-Metzger, speaking on behalf
of Delbeke and the Commission, said to USEU EconOff
that there will be five key topics for coverage
during the Troika:
-- What is achievable in Copenhagen, especially
noting the late date?
-- How can success be orchestrated in
Copenhagen, taking into account the various forums,
such as the MEF, G-20, and the Greenland Dialogue?
-- How can the 2 degree C limit in temperature
rise be addressed, focusing on various pathways to
get there, particularly among developed countries?
This includes discussions of comparability of
emissions targets among developed countries.
-- What should contributions be from developing
countries, noting the backlash on the 2 degree
commitment in the July MEF from several countries,
notably India?
-- Financing. This remains a fairly fluid
topic in the EU, and there remain divisions among
Member States. Runge-Metzger also mentioned that he
views differences between the U.S. and EU positions
on the scale of contributions. For timing in the
EU, the Commission will release a financing proposal
in early to mid-September, in advance of the G-20.
The European Council plans to have conclusions
regarding the proposal agreed by mid-October.
4. (SBU) The dynamics of the Troika will be fairly
relaxed, according to Runge-Metzger. Carlgren will
likely start the conversation, but in small
settings, both Ribera Rodriguez and Delbeke will be
very engaged in the conversation, particularly in
BRUSSELS 00001174 002 OF 003
situations where the Commission has the competence
(such as on carbon markets). (Note. This supports
the notion of collaboration and teamwork between
Sweden, Spain, and the Commission as demonstrated
during the Energy and Environment Ministers meeting
in Are, Sweden at the end of July. End note.)
5. (SBU) Turning to the UN negotiating session that
took place in Bonn from August 10-14, Runge-Metzger
said he feels that the sense of urgenlippines, Seper pathways (such as in the United SQates)
as too difficult to achieve. It wil, be looking for
evidence that various pathways are achievable. On
Waxman-Markey, Runge-Metzer said that the targets
after 2020 will onlyes, with the
exception of Mexico, and to a certain extent, South
Africa, but no noises Qt all from China, India, or
Brazil. This neeQs to be pushed in the MEF. Their
positions need to become clearer and more
transparent, and this issue should be addressed in
the Troika.
8. (SBU) Accounting will also remain a contentious
issue, Runge-Metzger added, and the EU is looking
for more insight into U.S. thinking on how to handle
Land Use, Land Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF),
both for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation in
BRUSSELS 00001174 003 OF 003
Developing Countries (REDD) and for domestic land
use change accounting. Kyoto provided a temporary
solution, but a permanent framework needs to be
addressed.
9. (SBU) Finally, the Commission is looking forward
to the September MEF to be held in Washington,
Runge-Metzger said. The Commission is also
supportive of the concept of a MEF LeaderQs meeting
in November, as the timing after all of the
negotiating sessions and directly ahead of
Copenhagen could be ideal for a last push to move
things forward.
MURRAY