JAPAN'S CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION FUNDING

UNCLAS TOKYO 001159 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV KGHG JA SUBJECT: JAPAN'S CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION FUNDING REF: STATE 50886 ¶1. (SBU) EST Chief met Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Senior Negotiator for Climate Change Yoshiko Kijima May 21 to discuss Japan's programs and funding for adaptation to climate change per reftel request. Kijima said the GOJ combines funding for adaptation and mitigation programs and does not have separate figures on adaptation funding. She provided a breakdown on overall funding for climate change development assistance as follows: --Global Environment Facility (GEF): approximately USD 1.5 billion to the GEF trust fund from 1991-2010 with approximately 35 percent of that money dedicated to climate change mitigation and adaptation; --Cool Earth Partnership: bilateral assistance through international organizations amounting to approximately USD 10 billion from 2008-2012; and --Climate Investment Funds: Japan has pledged to provide USD 1.2 billion through 2012 for both adaptation and mitigation. ¶2. (SBU) Kajima said the GOJ shares the USG view on the importance of adaptation funding, but has practical concerns regarding timing and the proliferation of funding mechanisms. For the GOJ, any new funding for the upcoming fiscal year would be difficult. While the GOJ plans to pass a supplementary budget, these funds would be targeted at stimulating Japan's economy, not international aid, she said. Any funds for adaptation assistance would need to be prepared well in advance to be included in the regular budget. Also, the GOJ is concerned by the number of different funding mechanisms already in existence, including the GEF, Climate Investment Funds, and bilateral programs such as Japan's Cool Earth Partnership. She said she raised this issue in regard to any proposals the U.S. may be considering for a G8 funding mechanism for adaptation. While she was explicit in detailing the problems with the current mechanisms, she said there are too many already. She added that she looks forward to discussing these issues with the U.S. delegation at the Major Economies Forum meeting in Paris next week. ZUMWALT