BANGLADESH HAS HIGH HOPES FOR COPENHAGEN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 001096 SIPDIS STATE FOR USAID, SCA/INS, S/SECC, EEB, OES E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2014 TAGS: EAID ECON EAGR SENV SMIG TPHY BG SUBJECT: BANGLADESH HAS HIGH HOPES FOR COPENHAGEN REF: DHAKA 942 DHAKA 350 E-MAIL FROM USUN ON DECEMBER 6 Classified By: ADCM Jon Danilowicz. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 3. SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will lead a large Bangladeshi delegation with high hopes for a meaningful agreement at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. As leader of a 49-member bloc of least-developed countries, Bangladesh continues to press for ambitious mitigation, adaptation and financing commitments from developed countries with preferential treatment of vulnerable least-developed countries. At the same time, GOB leaders have signaled a willingness to press fast-growing developing countries to reduce emissions and seek pragmatic solutions on other key issues under negotiation. ¶3. (C) ACTION REQUEST: Post requests the Department propose a POTUS meeting with Prime Minister Hasina on the sidelines of Copenhagen to encourage Bangladesh to play a constructive role in climate change negotiations. A meeting could also serve to underscore U.S. support for adaptation and mitigation programs in vulnerable developing countries. A LEADING VOICE FOR VULNERABLE COUNTRIES -------------- ¶4. (C) Prime Minister Hasina will lead a Bangladeshi delegation of over 80 persons in Copenhagen, after attending a series of ministerial-level climate change meetings leading up to Copenhagen. The Prime Minister's engagement and the country's large delegation reflect the high importance the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) places on climate change negotiations. Facing a triple-threat of melting Himalayan glaciers, rising sea levels and stronger, more frequent typhoons, Bangladeshi officials continue to underscore the moral responsibility of developed countries for addressing climate change. The Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change estimated that 22 million Bangladeshis may be displaced by rising sea levels and changing climate patterns by 2050 if greenhouse gas emissions are not curbed. As one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change and leader of a bloc of 49 least developed countries (LDCs), Bangladesh will be a leading voice for vulnerable developing countries in Copenhagen. In a December 6 phone call with USUN Ambassador Rice, the Prime Minister noted rising expectations for Copenhagen and pledged to exert every effort for a positive outcome. (Ref C) ADVOCATING AMBITIOUS LDC PROPOSALS -------------- ¶5. (C) A Ministry of Environment briefing paper for the Prime Minister,s participation in COP reaffirms GOB support for ambitious targets for emissions reduction in developed countries (45 percent below 1990 levels by 2020); average temperature increase (below 2 degrees Centigrade) and carbon dioxide concentrations (350 parts per million). The paper calls for exemption of LDCs from binding mitigation commitments and from patent protections for climate related technologies. (NOTE: Post e-mailed this briefing paper to SCA/INSB. END NOTE.) ¶6. (C) In several climate change meetings this year, the Prime Minister called for enhanced financial commitments from developed countries to support adaptation and mitigation programs in vulnerable LDCs. The Ministry of Environment briefing paper underscores that financing provisions will be a top GOB priority in Copenhagen. It calls for an adaptation fund under the COP framework with $2 billion, or 70 percent, allocated annually to LDCs. SIGNS OF PRAGMATISM -------------- ¶7. (C) At the same time, the GOB has signaled its interest in pressing fast-developing countries to commit to meaningful mitigation efforts and seeking common ground on other contentious issues. Echoing earlier remarks to the Ambassador (ref A),State Minister for Environment and Forestry Hasan Mahmud told the Acting DCM that Bangladesh would argue in Copenhagen that fast-growing developing countries need to share responsibility for addressing climate change. While reaffirming support for ambitious mitigation DHAKA 00001096 002 OF 002 targets, the MOEF briefing paper suggests some flexibility on atmospheric concentration goals, mitigation commitments and interim emission reduction targets. Though critical of current mitigation proposals for from developed and fast-developing countries, the paper vaguely advises, "we should continue to negotiate until an acceptable emission reduction target is achieved". BANGLADESH'S RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE -------------- ¶8. (U) Bangladeshi leaders have emphasized they are committed to participating in mitigation efforts and pursuing a low-carbon growth strategy. In November, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni told Ambassador-at-large for Women,s Issues Melanne Verveer that Bangladesh was committed to going "carbon neutral". Minister of Environment Mahmud echoed this pledge when he assured the Acting DCM that Bangladesh was serious about cutting emissions. ¶9. (U) In November, Minister Mahmud announced the government had finalized its policy for managing its $150 million Climate Change Trust Fund. Under the policy, a ten-person board will approve funding of projects to implement Bangladesh's Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (accessible at www.moef.gov.bd). To pursue a "climate-resilient, pro-poor and low-carbon development strategy", the action plan prescribes activities in food security, disaster management, infrastructure development, research, mitigation and institutional capacity building. Under the Integrated Protected Area Co-Management (IPAC) Project, USAID is training Bangladeshi officials to prepare forestry projects to access global carbon markets. COMMENT: -------------- ¶10. (C) As one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, Bangladesh has a strong interest in facilitating a positive outcome in Copenhagen. A POTUS meeting with Prime Minister Hasina would encourage Bangladesh to continue its constructive role in global discussions of the way forward on climate change. It would also underscore U.S. solidarity for vulnerable countries and solidify our ties to this moderate, Muslim-majority country of 150 million people. U.S. engagement with Environment Minister Mahmud, an environmental scientist and close advisor to the Prime Minister, would also help encourage the Bangladeshis to play a positive role in Copenhagen. MORIARTY