VZCZCXRO7034
OO RUEHDT RUEHPB
DE RUEHJA #1772/01 2951204
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 221204Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3638
INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 001772
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, S/ECC, OES
NSC FOR J. BADER, D. WALTON
EPA/OIA R.KASAT ,M.KASMAN , K.BUCKLEY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KGHG SENV ECON KDEM ID
SUBJECT: EPA ADMINISTRATOR JACKSON'S OCT. 19-22 JAKARTA VIST
REF: JAKARTA 01765
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson led the
Presidential Delegation to President Yudhoyono's October 20
inauguration. On October 21 the Administrator held separate
meetings and discussions with key players on the environment.
Several officials stated that a U.S.-China deal was the key to
success in Copenhagen. Indonesia's Climate Change Council saw
forest and peat as the top priority for emissions reduction, which
could reduce emissions by 26 percent, the goal that President
Yudhoyono announced at the G-20 in Pittsburgh. Representatives of
several environmental NGOs agreed with the Administrator that SBY's
public commitment to emissions reductions provided an important
partnership opportunity and that President Obama was in a position
to support President Yudhoyono's goals. October 22 the
Administrator visited an air quality monitoring station, a component
of Jakarta's clean air initiatives. The Administrator assured all
of her interlocutors that she would share their suggestions on
future cooperation with the EPA with President Obama. END SUMMARY.
INAUGURATION
2. (SBU) As reported reftel, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson led the
Presidential Delegation to President Yudhoyono and Vice President
Boediono's inauguration on October 20. Other members of the
delegation were Ambassador Hume and Ambassador Merrill. During his
inaugural speech President Yudhoyono highlighted environmental
issues facing both Indonesia and the world.
JAKARTA: PARTNERING WITH THE EPA
3. (SBU) On October 20 the Administrator met with key players on the
environment. Governor Fauzi Bowo and Administrator Jackson
discussed their planned partnership. Areas under consideration for
the partnership included air quality, clean fuels and vehicles,
clean energy, energy efficiency (particularly in buildings),
renewable energy, water and sanitation, waste management, green port
construction, public information and education. Bowo welcomed the
partnership, explaining that the most difficult challenge he faced
was changing the mindset of Jakarta's residents. Much of the
conversation focused around "Breathe Easy, Jakarta," an air quality
management initiative. The greatest single issue in addressing air
pollution was transport, given that the 8-9% annual increase of new
vehicles registered was difficult to limit. The central government
considered transport to be the backbone of the economy, but the
responsibility to reduce pollution had fallen on sub-national
governments. In recognition of the imperative to shift to public
transportation, Jakarta launched the TransJakarta Busway - the
longest busway system in the world and has instituted other
measures, such as "Car Free Day."
4. (SBU) Administrator Jackson recognized Jakarta's progressive
leadership, and noted that President Obama was very interested in
the EPA supporting Jakarta's efforts. The EPA, Jackson noted, could
offer expertise in air quality management, such as air quality
monitoring and emissions inventories. She also offered to help
facilitate and enhance existing city-to-city partnerships. Jackson
stressed the importance of low sulfur fuel regulations. In many
areas such as construction of the new port and green building
development, she highlighted the opportunity of avoiding costly
retrofits.
SENIOR ADVISOR: COPENHAGEN, CHALLENGES, COOPERATION
5. (SBU) In her meeting with Presidential Advisor Emil Salim, Salim
stated that China was a key player in achieving success at
Copenhagen and asked if U.S. could make an agreement with China.
Administrator Jackson said she would carry that message back to
Washington. Salim also noted that Indonesia was committed to
getting to 26% by 2020, but had not yet calculated the amount of CO2
being absorbed by its oceans, which made up two-thirds of the
country.
6. (SBU) Salim highlighted a number of challenges facing Indonesia
as it sought to protect the environment. The primary challenge was
linking economic growth to environmental concerns. Secondly,
Indonesia had a deficit of scientific experts to drive research and
development. Lastly, due to decentralization of the government, the
district level now had all the power but weak capacity. In response
to Salim's question on whether the U.S. model of environmental
protection would work in Indonesia, Administrator Jackson explained
that the EPA had strong federal laws which most states followed,
while a few more progressive states pushed the larger government
towards higher standards.
JAKARTA 00001772 002 OF 002
7. (SBU) Jackson told Salim that she would share his ideas on how
the U.S. could partner with Indonesia with President Obama. Salim
suggested that the U.S. should consider using Indonesia as a model
on how a developing country adapts to climate change. Salim also
asked for specific technical assistance on drought-resistant rice
and adapting to rising sea levels. Other possible areas for
strategic cooperation were technology sharing, educational exchange,
and investment in biodiversity protection. Administrator Jackson
and Ambassador Hume expressed their concern about food security,
specifically related to fisheries, as well as a hope that Indonesia
would adopt cleaner fuel standards for international shipping.
NCCC: PEAT DECOMPOSITION, COPENHAGEN, WORKING WITH U.S.
8. (SBU) The National Climate Change Council Secretary Agus Purnomo
explained that 85 percent of Indonesia's emissions came from the
deforestation, decomposition of open or drained peat, and forest
fires. Indonesia had 50 percent of the world's tropical peat, but
58 percent of global emissions from peat decomposition, which
amounted to 1.8 gigatons of emissions annually. The cost of
reducing forest and peat sector emissions was relatively low.
Solutions to peat and forestry emissions lie in poverty alleviation
through avoided deforestation programs. Indonesia had a forest
management regime, but not a peat land management regime. Prunomo
identified three measures in this sector that could attain
Yudhoyono's 26% reduction target: a) sustainable forest management
in production forests (drylands), b) a REDD program on smallholder
dry land forest that includes alternative income for the poor, and
c) peat land forest management. Although emissions from energy
generation and transport were expected to rise, both areas are
second priorities to reducing emissions from forestry and peat.
9. (SBU) In line with Salim, Purnomo also believed that the toughest
issue for Copenhagen was agreement between the U.S. and China on
national binding commitments. Indonesia communicates often with
China, but U.S. leadership was crucial to achieving a breakthrough.
Purnomo also noted NCCC's desire to invite Al Gore to Indonesia, and
Administrator Jackson agreed to convey this message.
NGOS: HIGHLIGHT PROBLEMS, SUGGEST SOLUTIONS, WELCOME EPA
10. (SBU) At a roundtable with representatives from environment
focused NGOs, the participants outlined both problems and solutions.
Several NGOs said that transportation in Indonesia's cities was a
significant and growing source of greenhouse gases and other
pollutants. Another rep argued for the need for better peat land
management. At the same time, they pointed out the need for
financial incentives to avoid deforestation and a national
regulatory framework for REDD. On the positive side, one
participant highlighted electrification of rural areas using clean
energy technology was a green-growth opportunity.
11. (SBU) A common concern voiced by NGOs was that President
Yudhoyono was not going to make headway achieving his higher
emissions target without significant assistance from developed
countries. The more concrete support that was offered early on, the
easier it would be for Yudhoyono to achieve his emissions targets.
One environmental economist noted the scarcity of research and data
on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change impacts in Indonesia.
This presented yet another possible area for partnership and
capacity building.
SITE VISIT TO CLEAN AIR PROJECT
12. Administrator Jackson visited an existing air quality monitoring
station managed by the City of Jakarta. During the visit, City of
Jakarta staff highlighted the lack of operational monitors
throughout Jakarta and how information from the monitors is
collected and reported. Staff also highlighted steps the City of
Jakarta has taken to improve air quality, such as "Car Free Day."
Jackson confirmed EPA's commitment to offer technical assistance and
work with the City of Jakarta to improve air quality management.
13. (U) Administrator Jackson has cleared this message.
Hume#