Copenhagen - Advancing U.S.-Indonesia Environmental

UNCLAS JAKARTA 001968 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR SECC, OES AND EAP COMMERCE FOR NOAA EPA/OIA FOR RKASAT, MKASMAN, KBUCKLEY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV KGHG EAID EFIS PREL ID SUBJECT: Copenhagen - Advancing U.S.-Indonesia Environmental Cooperation ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Cooperation in climate change, energy and environment is a key component of the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership, which President Obama is likely to launch formally when he visits Indonesia in 2010. Bilateral cabinet-level meetings during climate negotiations in Copenhagen present an opportunity to advance this partnership, influence key Indonesian cabinet members, and cultivate a constructive role for Indonesia within the G20. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate our support for President Yudhoyono - his acknowledgement of the need for actions by all countries, and willingness to depart from the developing country negotiating bloc by announcing specific targets, has positively influenced international negotiations. Paragraph 3 onwards outlines potential bilateral meetings or side conversations, Indonesian counterparts, and issues on which we can deepen the partnership. (Note: The counterparts listed are likely to be in Copenhagen, but we do not yet have formal confirmation of this.) End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Background: Indonesia is the world's third-largest global emitter of greenhouse gases. It is also particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and consequently pushes strongly in multilateral fora for significant adaptation assistance. 80% of Indonesia's emissions currently come from deforestation and peat land degradation, but its emissions from energy are projected to grow seven-fold by 2030. President Yudhoyono received sharp criticism from the G77 after the Pittsburgh G20 Summit when he declared a unilateral emissions target of 26% below business-as-usual (BAU),and up to 41% with international assistance by 2020. He will need encouragement to maintain this constructive position in the multilateral process. The U.S. and other donors should support Indonesia's explicit targets, which stand in stark contrast to China's and India's positions to date. Possible Bilateral Meetings -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Agriculture Secretary Vilsack (Counterparts: Minister of Agriculture Suswono, Coordinating Minister for Social Welfare Agung Laksono, Minister of Forestry Zulkifli Hasan): -- Food Security: This is a Yudhoyono priority. Climate change is exacerbating severe food insecurity in parts of Indonesia. As many 
as 150 million Indonesians are potential beneficiaries of improvements in food security. Indonesia needs help on agricultural adaptation, particularly drought-resistant food crops. It would be mutually beneficial to establish research and extension linkages through USDA agencies and Land Grant Universities. Another focus could be agro forestry. Marine conservation and adaptation are also vital: Indonesia's marine biodiversity supports the livelihood of 34 million people, and over 60% of Indonesia's national protein comes from fish. -- Sustainable Land-Use Management: This will require addressing the tension between competing land-uses - land for agriculture versus land as carbon sink or conservation area - since much forest and peat land conversion is for agricultural uses, including oil palm and other plantation crops. USAID and the U.S. Forest Service have done substantial work on this, but much more could be done. ¶4. (SBU) Interior Secretary Salazar (Counterparts: Minister of Forestry Zulkifli Hasan, Minister of Agriculture Suswono) -- Sustainable Land-Use Management: This is crucial for reducing Indonesia's emissions. Indonesia has indicated that, of its 26% reductions target, 14% will come from forestry/peat. Consequently, one Yudhoyono administration priority is harmonizing land-use and spatial planning across ministries and levels of government to resolve land-tenure issues and ensure sustainable, balanced land-use. Interior - together with other agencies like USDA - could assist Indonesia by sharing our policy experience and technical expertise on land-use and conservation of forests and wetlands, as well as on parks/protected areas management. ¶5. (SBU) Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Jackson (Counterparts: Minister of Environment Gusti Muhammad Hatta, Coordinating Minister for Social Welfare Agung Laksono, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Darwin Saleh): -- Environmental Management: EPA can help improve environmental governance and management in Indonesia. EPA is finalizing an MOU with the Ministry of Environment to lay the groundwork for future cooperation, including on prevention of greenhouse gas emissions, air and water pollution, chemical and hazardous waste, and watershed management. With Indonesia indicating that 6% of its 26% reductions target will come from waste, the partnership opportunities in this area are promising. -- Mitigation: When Indonesia joins the Methane to Markets Partnership shortly, EPA can help assess mitigation opportunities in the oil and gas sector, as well as in other sectors such as coal-bed methane and landfills. Assistance for accurately monitoring, reporting, and verifying greenhouse gas emissions and inventories is critical for addressing climate change effectively and an important area for collaboration. This could help Indonesia quantify its domestic actions in a global agreement, and prepare it for future carbon markets. ¶6. (SBU) Commerce Secretary Locke, NOAA Administrator Lubchenco (Counterparts: Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Fadel Muhammad, State Minister for Research and Technology Suharna Surapranata, Minister of Environment Gusti Mohammad Hatta, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Darwin Saleh): -- Sustainable Fisheries: The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) is eager to establish a joint "Center for Sustainable Ocean Fisheries". USAID and NOAA are already working with MMAF on capacity building for marine protected areas and sustainable fisheries. USAID is launching a $25 million, 5-year, marine program. This work is intimately related to both adaptation and food security in Indonesia. -- Ocean Exploration and Science: Marine research is vital for understanding climate change impacts on the ocean and marine ecosystems. The U.S. and the Government of Indonesia (GOI) have a mutual commitment to a partnership in ocean exploration and to bring NOAA's Okeanos Explorer to Indonesia in 2010. NOAA scientists are currently planning a joint research cruise with Indonesia's Baruna Jaya IV vessel in mid-2010. -- Green Industry, Green Technology (for Minister of Environment and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources): There are potentially significant opportunities for increased involvement by Commerce. The Government of Indonesia has established a national interagency team to develop plans for "Green Industry", and they are likely to seek U.S. expertise and technology for this. ¶7. (SBU) Energy Secretary Chu (Counterpart: Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Darwin Saleh): -- Renewable Energy: Indonesia has indicated that, of its 26% reductions target, 6% will come from the energy sector. Several U.S. agencies have already held successful renewable energy events in Indonesia, including the Departments of Commerce and USAID. A strong energy efficiency/renewable energy component to the upcoming Energy Policy Dialogue that the Department of Energy will host early in 2010 will solidify regular engagement in this critical area. The U.S. can help Indonesia meet its current renewable energy and geothermal power targets. -- Fuel Subsidies: Rationalizing energy prices is the key to providing incentives for energy efficiency. SBY's commitment at the Pittsburgh G20 Summit to gradually eliminate fossil fuel subsidies needs continued follow-up and support given the highly political domestic ramifications. HUME