Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CANBERRA562
2009-06-16 07:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Canberra
Cable title:
INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY: AUSTRALIAN
how-toVZCZCXRO9520 PP RUEHPT DE RUEHBY #0562 1670700 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 160700Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1634 INFO RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 0123 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 3572 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 0007 RUEHBN/AMCONSUL MELBOURNE 6425 RUEHPT/AMCONSUL PERTH 4689 RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 4657
UNCLAS CANBERRA 000562
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EEB/ESC MONOSSON, OES/EGC THOMPSON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KGHG ENRG SENV AS
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY: AUSTRALIAN
VIEWS
REF: A. SECSTATE 61286
B. SECSTATE 59969
UNCLAS CANBERRA 000562
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EEB/ESC MONOSSON, OES/EGC THOMPSON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KGHG ENRG SENV AS
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY: AUSTRALIAN
VIEWS
REF: A. SECSTATE 61286
B. SECSTATE 59969
1. (SBU) Per instructions in reftels, Econoff met with
Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism Manager for
Renewable Energy Rick Belt on June 16. Belt said that
Australia was "of a piece" with the U.S. on the importance of
focusing on capacity building in IRENA, and that Resources
and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson will sign the IRENA
statute in Egypt as the head of the Australian delegation.
Australia strongly supports the UAE's bid to host the
headquarters of IRENA, and is currently reviewing the
background of known DG candidates but has not taken a
decision on which to support.
2. (SBU) Belt said that Australia had been skeptical of IRENA
when first proposed, but after examining the work done by
IRENA's developers to address concerns about duplicating work
in other venues, had decided that a body that focuses on
capacity building and assistance targeted at developing
policy and regulatory frameworks that enable greater
renewable energy use was sensible. Belt said that, as the
government came around to joining IRENA, there was a
conscious decision to do so early so that they could
participate in shaping the body in Egypt. Belt noted that
Australia was working to strengthen its bilateral
relationship with the UAE, and so support for hosting IRENA
fit naturally within that policy.
3. (SBU) Australia is not currently planning a voluntary
contribution in the interim period before mandatory
contributions take effect. Belt said that Australia has
crunched the numbers, prior to any decision by the U.S. on
joining, and had determined that the initial mandatory
contribution from Australia will be in the realm of A$1.4
million per year. If the U.S. joins, Belt noted that the
amount would be reduced significantly as the U.S. would
support 22 percent of the IRENA budget. Belt said that,
although there were no guarantees that both houses of the
Australian Parliament would ratify the legislation, the
negatives associated with blocking international cooperation
on renewables, at a time when Australia is stepping up
domestic efforts to utilize renewable resources, would likely
far outweigh the benefits of opposing ratification.
4. (SBU) Australia is in discussion with Japan on each
country's positions before the Egypt meeting, according to
Belt's deputy, Veronica Westacott. Westacott expressed
interest in meeting with the U.S. delegation prior to the
start of the meetings in Egypt if possible to discuss
positions and coordinate as needed. Belt added that any
available details on the makeup of the U.S. delegation would
be welcomed by Australia.
CLUNE
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EEB/ESC MONOSSON, OES/EGC THOMPSON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KGHG ENRG SENV AS
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY: AUSTRALIAN
VIEWS
REF: A. SECSTATE 61286
B. SECSTATE 59969
1. (SBU) Per instructions in reftels, Econoff met with
Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism Manager for
Renewable Energy Rick Belt on June 16. Belt said that
Australia was "of a piece" with the U.S. on the importance of
focusing on capacity building in IRENA, and that Resources
and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson will sign the IRENA
statute in Egypt as the head of the Australian delegation.
Australia strongly supports the UAE's bid to host the
headquarters of IRENA, and is currently reviewing the
background of known DG candidates but has not taken a
decision on which to support.
2. (SBU) Belt said that Australia had been skeptical of IRENA
when first proposed, but after examining the work done by
IRENA's developers to address concerns about duplicating work
in other venues, had decided that a body that focuses on
capacity building and assistance targeted at developing
policy and regulatory frameworks that enable greater
renewable energy use was sensible. Belt said that, as the
government came around to joining IRENA, there was a
conscious decision to do so early so that they could
participate in shaping the body in Egypt. Belt noted that
Australia was working to strengthen its bilateral
relationship with the UAE, and so support for hosting IRENA
fit naturally within that policy.
3. (SBU) Australia is not currently planning a voluntary
contribution in the interim period before mandatory
contributions take effect. Belt said that Australia has
crunched the numbers, prior to any decision by the U.S. on
joining, and had determined that the initial mandatory
contribution from Australia will be in the realm of A$1.4
million per year. If the U.S. joins, Belt noted that the
amount would be reduced significantly as the U.S. would
support 22 percent of the IRENA budget. Belt said that,
although there were no guarantees that both houses of the
Australian Parliament would ratify the legislation, the
negatives associated with blocking international cooperation
on renewables, at a time when Australia is stepping up
domestic efforts to utilize renewable resources, would likely
far outweigh the benefits of opposing ratification.
4. (SBU) Australia is in discussion with Japan on each
country's positions before the Egypt meeting, according to
Belt's deputy, Veronica Westacott. Westacott expressed
interest in meeting with the U.S. delegation prior to the
start of the meetings in Egypt if possible to discuss
positions and coordinate as needed. Belt added that any
available details on the makeup of the U.S. delegation would
be welcomed by Australia.
CLUNE