CANADIAN FUNDING FOR ADAPTATION ASSISTANCE

UNCLAS OTTAWA 000386 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR E, OES, EEB, AND WHA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV KGHG CA SUBJECT: CANADIAN FUNDING FOR ADAPTATION ASSISTANCE REF: STATE 050886 ¶1. (SBU) ESTH counselor discussed U.S. thinking and planning on funding for climate adaptation with John Moffet, Director General of Environment Canada,s International Climate Change Office, and inquired about Canada,s own assistance efforts for adaptation and planning for future assistance. Moffet advised that discussions on funding international climate change assistance, including support for adaptation, were ongoing, and that officials had already had detailed discussions with the Environment Minister on options and opportunities. While no concrete decisions had been taken, Moffet believed the minister favored increased funding for climate assistance and had already been &priming the Cabinet8 for consideration of specific proposals. ¶2. (U) Moffet undertook to provide information on how much Canada has committed to bilateral adaptation-related development aid, but those figures are not likely to be available before COB May 22. Through its Climate Change Development Fund, Canada committed $100 million to assistance for climate-related activities more broadly, including adaptation, between 2000 and 2006. Visit Canada,s North American partnership community at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap / BREESE