Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern's Meeting with

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ROME 000812 SENSITIVE SIPDIS S/SECC FOR T. STERN EUR/PGI FOR D. TESSLER EUR/WE FOR S. HARTMANN OES/EGC FOR K. LARSEN NSC FOR E. FENDLEY DOE FOR J. SKEER EPA FOR A. PHILLIPS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV ENRG KGHG TRGY KSCA UN IT SUBJECT: Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern's Meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon ROME 00000812 001.2 OF 003 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: In a July 9 meeting with U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern on the margins of the G8 Summit, United Nations Secretary General (UNSYG) Ban Ki Moon thanked the U.S., and President Obama in particular, for leadership on the issue of climate change. Ban asked that the President participate in Ban's Climate Change meeting on September 22 (including his possibly giving an impromptu address at one of the roundtables. Ban stressed that while targets are being determined, what is lacking are concrete details about what kind of financial and technological assistance may be provided to developing countries. Special Envoy Stern noted the importance of both developed and developing countries making commitments, and assured Ban that proposals for assistance were being worked out. He emphasized, however, the importance of developing countries' engaging and making commitments. Provision of financial assistance is important, but it must not be a "you have to pay us to act" dynamic: developing countries, including China and Brazil, have a strong interest in the outcome, and are already taking steps independently, but must be willing to make international commitments to match. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) In a meeting between U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern and UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on July 9, 2009, the UNSYG thanked Special Envoy Stern for what the U.S. is doing on climate change and for the leadership of President Obama in this regard. Ban said he is following the Congressional process and noted jokingly that he is even trying to help, meeting leaders such as Nancy Pelosi and others. Ban noted that proposals for goals of limiting temperature increase to two degrees Celsius, and cutting global greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2050 are welcome He then asked Special Envoy Stern for his assessment of progress, including at the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF). ¶3. (SBU) Special Envoy Stern offered the President's regrets for not being able to meet Ban while at the G8, noting that the President appreciates Ban's activism on climate issues. He conveyed that the MEF process is making good progress, in part by developing relationships and trust. He added that he considers the MEF a constructive framework for discussion. The December 2009 Copenhagen meeting on climate change will nonetheless be challenging, he averred. We need strong targets for developed countries and for developing countries to make new commitments that are quantifiable in the medium term and "beyond business as usual." Stern pointed out that, "It's fine to talk about 2050," but countries need to reach 2050 targets via steady progress in 2015, 2025, etc. For this, developing countries need to take concrete actions; financing packages are needed, along with verification mechanisms. Targets are Clear -------------- ¶4. (SBU) With respect to developed countries, Stern noted that we know the general targets and these are unlikely to change very much. In his view, both the EU and the US have strong targets. The U.S. proposals are now wrapped in the legislative process. When you add up cap and trade and everything else, he said, he feels certain the U.S. will have a strong package at the end of that process. Stern said he disagreed with the notion, suggested by some in the EU, that we need even more ambitious targets. The UNSYG's September Meeting -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The UNSYG then discussed the September 22, 2009 High Level meeting he will host on climate change for Heads of State and Government, one day before the opening of the General Assembly. The UN meeting will be of crucial importance, he said, and he is hoping that President Obama will participate. In addition, the night before the event, Ban said he is organizing an informal working dinner with key players (fewer than 30 participants),which he also hoped the President would attend. The meeting itself will consist of 4-5 roundtables, and Ban asked if President Obama might make a symbolic appearance at one of these. Topics for these roundtables are still being worked, and the UN's Bob Orr requested US suggestions within the next two weeks. In response, Special Envoy Stern said the President does intend to participate in the climate ROME 00000812 002.2 OF 003 change conference, though the details were still to be worked out. ¶6. (SBU) Ban also requested the President's attendance at a breakfast meeting he is organizing on September 23 for the Group of Friends of Democratic Pakistan. According to Ban, PM Gordon Brown will be there, as will Pakistan President Zardari. Ban remarked that it will be a big week for President Obama, with the September 22 meeting on climate, the September 23 opening of the General Assembly and then the G20 in Pittsburgh. ¶7. (SBU) Ban then briefly conveyed his appreciation for President Obama's leadership on food security, which he noted is also related to climate change. Since the food crisis began, Ban pointed out that he has convened nine high level task force meetings, and that he planned to include this issue in his remarks at the G8 on July ¶10. Developing world must participate fully: new approach needed -------------- -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Special Envoy Stern noted the important role of the UN on climate change, stressing that we cannot reach an agreement without the participation of both developed and developing countries. There is understandable anxiety about such an agreement in the developing world, given concessions that may result in a cap on growth and development. Both science and politics are involved here, and we cannot reach an accord unless both sides participate. A new agreement needs to do more than the Framework Agreement, more than the Bali Action Plan. Stern pointed out that developing countries often refer to those agreements to argue that a particular concession "is not required." ¶9. (SBU) Stern noted that while the developed world recognizes its historical responsibility for emissions, developing countries must recognize that their emissions will surpass that of the developed world in the decades ahead. We can't solve climate problems if we don't move beyond the limited focus on the past, he concluded, pointing out that it is in the interest of developing countries to do as much as they can, as they are the ones most impacted by climate change. It won't be possible for the developing world to develop in the same way that the industrialized world did. Instead, they need to develop in a low carbon way, with the technological and financial support of the developed world. ¶10. (SBU) Stern also pointed to the paradox that many developing countries, including China, are taking significant steps at home. The gap between what they are doing domestically, and what they are prepared to sign onto in an international agreement is large and we need to bridge it. Reverse the order from "do-provide" to "provide-do" -------------- -------------- ¶11. (SBU) The UNSYG responded that while he understands the goals, the problem is how to bring the developing and developed worlds together. Clarity on the scope of financing is important. In this regard, he noted Gordon Brown's recent speech was good news. The developing world needs assurances, not just numerical targets and Ban thought Brown's speech sent a good signal regarding the need to support the vision concretely. While he recognized the need to convince India, China, Brazil and others, Ban pointed but that there was no vision regarding the provision of tools, technology and resources. Rather than demanding that countries "do", he said, it would be helpful to encourage incentives as well as pressure, including peer pressure. ¶12. (SBU) Ban noted that in his recent meeting with South African President Zuma, the latter provided insight into discussions on climate at the AU Summit. There is unity in Africa regarding the need for concessions, unlike in China and India. Moreover, the Africans are willing to apply pressure. Ban further noted the difference in dynamics between calling for change at the G8 and calling for change at the UN General Assembly, and the effect peer pressure could have at the latter. Even in Copenhagen, last minute peer pressure might produce results, he opined. Returning to the UN ROME 00000812 003.2 OF 003 Summit in September, he noted that this must be used as a "political deadline." Financing: Won't be ATM -------------- ¶13. (SBU) Envoy Stern said he agreed financing was an important element and added that Prime Minister Brown's proposal of providing $100 billion by 2020 was significant and in the realm of the reasonable and plausible. What is important to note, however, is that funding won't just be handed out without conditions, "as from an ATM." Money will go to countries with plans for projects that seem workable and with accountability over how funds are spent, he noted, while observing that these kinds of conditions tend to be resisted by recipient states, over concern about red tape and fear that promises will not be met. Moreover, Stern stressed that a fundamentally different dynamic is needed. It should not be one of "you have to pay us to act." ¶14. (SBU) The UNSYG concluded by agreeing with the need for clarity and good governance regarding financing and technical assistance. Both sides agreed that the road ahead would be difficult, but that it was important to work hard to reach good outcomes, both at the UN event and in Copenhagen. DIBBLE