INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: New Senior Japanese Environment Ministry Officials

Published: Thu 31 Jul 2008 07:51 AM
VZCZCXRO0058
PP RUEHAST RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHPB RUEHPOD RUEHTM
DE RUEHKO #2106 2130751
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 310751Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6213
INFO RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHMCSUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS TOKYO 002106
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR G, E, OES, EEB
STATE PASS CEQ FOR LANDON VAN DYKE
STATE PASS NSC FOR JONATHAN SHRIER AND PAUL BROWN
DOE FOR S-3
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV ENRG KGHG PGOV JA
SUBJECT: NEW SENIOR JAPANESE ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY OFFICIALS
INTERESTED IN WHAT'S NEXT FOR MAJOR ECONOMIES PROCESS
1. (SBU) The Ministry of Environment's new Director General
for Global Environment Tatshushi Terada and new Councilor for
Global Environment Masaru Moriya praised the Major Economies
Meetings (MEM) and inquired about next steps during a
courtesy call with EMIN July 28. Terada said he appreciates
the value of the MEM, especially the inclusion of the
emerging economies, but was unclear how it would feed into
the UN process on climate change and how the MEM would
proceed following the Toyako meeting. He noted the MEM is
more manageable than working with 190 countries in the UN
process and saw a need for the forums to continue working
together. Moriya asked if the U.S. had any plans for the MEM
in the run-up to the UNFCCC meeting in Posnan. EMIN noted
the President's statements on the outcome of the G8 Summit in
Lake Toya and the Major Economies Leaders meeting. He
repeated earlier USG statements on the MEM feeding into the
UN process.
2. (SBU) Terada said he understood the Executive and
Legislative branches of the U.S. government each have a role
to play in approving U.S. participation in any post-Kyoto
climate change framework. Noting the Senate had passed a
resolution with conditions for U.S. participation following
the Kyoto Protocol negotiations, he asked what level of
developing country participation would be needed to get
Senate approval of any new framework. Referring to "common
but differentiated responsibilities," he characterized the
U.S. Senate as more interested in the "common
responsibilities" developing countries should share with the
developed world. That said, Terada agreed it is essential
for China and other large emerging and developing countries
to participate if a post-Kyoto framework is to be effective.
(Note: While Terada is not comfortable speaking in English,
he spent the past year at the East-West Center in Honolulu
and displayed a good grasp of U.S. political processes.
Moriya, on the other hand, showed strong English
speaking/comprehension skills. End note).
3. (SBU) Both Moriya and Terada focused on the sectoral
approach. Moriya said many in Japan see the sectoral
approach as a way to "invite" developing countries to
increase energy efficiency. He said the question remains how
much technology to transfer and how to affect the transfer.
Once developing countries have the technology in place, he
stressed the need will be to ensure proper maintenance of the
equipment in order to maximize the benefit. Terada added
that the sectoral approach could also address the problem of
carbon leakage and unfair trade advantages. EMIN noted other
Japanese officials also frequently note economic competition,
technology transfer and IPR concerns are all important issues
connected with achieving the necessary engagement by emerging
market and other developing countries in an effective
post-Kyoto framework. The MOE officials also asked if the
U.S. favors legally binding targets for the emerging
economies. EMIN referred them to USG statements regarding
national, mid-term plans and the need for verifiable and
quantifiable actions.
SCHIEFFER
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