COMMISSIONER DIMAS OUT OF CLIMATE CHANGE PICTURE;

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 000918 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2019 TAGS: ECON EIND ENRG EUN EWWT KGHG SENV TPHY TRGY TSPL SUBJECT: COMMISSIONER DIMAS OUT OF CLIMATE CHANGE PICTURE; EU WANTS TO COORDINATE ON THIRD COUNTRIES Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Christopher Murray, Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. As the EU intensifies efforts to secure a climate agreement in Copenhagen, the Swedes have asserted their leadership role while Environment Commissioner Dimas has taken himself out of the picture. Both Swedish and Commission officials agree that European criticism of U.S. emissions targets is not helpful to efforts (if not counterproductive),and that we should instead focus our efforts on securing emissions reductions from the emerging economies. EU officials support our efforts with China and are prepared to leverage their relationships with India and South Africa. End summary. ¶2. (C) A senior DG Environment Official and member of the EU,s climate change negotiating team told USEU EconOff on June 30 that Environment Commissioner Dimas believes he is &at the end of his mandate8 and is no longer taking an active role in the negotiation process. Instead, President Barroso is asserting leadership over climate and energy within the Commission. This is a clear shift from earlier in the year, when Dimas worked hard to try to establish his position in the European hierarchy and lead during Copenhagen. Instead, Dimas is no longer traveling; he chose not to attend the MEF in Mexico and does not plan to attend Copenhagen. ¶3. (C) In a separate meeting also held on June 30, the Swedish Deputy Permanent Representative affirmed that Sweden as EU President will lead the EU delegation during negotiations. The DG ENV official supported that perspective, stating that &it is the voice of the EU that is important, not that of the Commission.8 However, the Commission remains intimately involved, as President Barroso or a designate will accompany the Swedish Presidency on foreign travel related to negotiations. DG ENV remains the lead on technical aspects of the negotiations and appears to maintain day-to-day bilateral relationships with third countries. ¶4. (C) The DG Environment official and the Swedish representative agreed that the United States and the EU should minimize public criticisms of our policies and instead focus on coordinating our respective efforts with third countries to secure an agreement in Copenhagen. The Commission supports our engagement with China, noting particular approval for the recent visit by SECC to Beijing. By contrast, while the Commission's relations with China are not as strong, it enjoys a strong relationship with India. According to the official, Indian negotiators, while not always in agreement, are receptive to Commission ideas. The EU plans bilateral troikas (meetings involving the Commission, the Swedish Presidency, and the upcoming Spanish Presidency) with India, China, Russia, Brazil, and South Africa over the coming months. ¶5. (C) The DG Environment official expressed appreciation for the MEF process, and given the success of the MEF thus far, the Commission supports its continuation after the Leaders, meeting in L,Aquila, Italy. The Commission was disappointed by the results of the preparatory session in Paris, though it was pleased with the Mexico meeting. The Commission hopes for a strong communiqu to come from the Leaders, meeting and was disappointed that the delegations could not agree on a statement in Mexico. ¶6. (C) Comment. We have an opportunity now to move the EU beyond criticizing us to actively working with us. Both the Commission and the Swedish Presidency appear to appreciate both the steps the Administration has taken on climate change and the political realities in Washington. They also realize working with us to get the key emerging economies on board is critical both substantively to address a global problem and politically to agree in Copenhagen. In conversations, Commission and Swedish interlocutors have opined that addressing the developing world in a coordinated fashion is the more beneficial path to success in Copenhagen. We believe it will be important in this respect to work with the Commission and the Swedish Presidency to influence governments of France, Germany, Italy, and the UK to engage constructively with the emerging economies towards a global agreement, while at the same time removing the focus from our differences. This support will complement the existing efforts by our colleagues in Paris, Berlin, Rome, and London. The Commission,s strengths, in particular, lie in its relationships with India, South Africa, and potentially with Russia. Thus, the opportunity exists to leverage EU support in these areas to drive negotiations in a manner beneficial to the United States. End Comment. MURRAY