VZCZCXRO9242
PP RUEHIK
DE RUEHMD #0031 0151228
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 151228Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1668
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS MADRID 000031
SIPDIS
STATE FOR OES/ECG DREW NELSON AND KATE LARSEN, 0ES/S/SECC
RACHEL KASTENBERG
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KGHG SENV ENRG SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN WORKING WITH EU PARTNERS TO REACH EMISSIONS
TARGET CONSENSUS
REF: SECSTATE 03080
1. As the newly arrived Ambassador is still making
introductory calls, Post engaged at working level to quickly
convey the message on climate change. Econoff delivered the
demarche to Deputy Director General for Climate Change
Affairs Paz Valiente and Deputy Director General for
Emissions Trading and Flexibility Mechanisms Ismael Aznar
Cano, both in the Ministry of the Environment and Rural and
Marine Affairs. They confirmed that the EU believes it is
important to show broad support for the Copenhagen Accord.
The Permanent Representatives of the EU discussed emissions
targets and associating with the Accord during a meeting in
Brussels on Wednesday, January 13. There is broad consensus
on associating with the Accord, but EU member states are
still working out the technical matter of whether to
associate jointly or individually by country.
2. Aznar said that the more important issue, currently being
discussed at the Ministerial meeting in Seville (January
14-17), is the emissions target. He said that it is likely
to be the 20% target initially proposed, since the 30% figure
presented during the Copenhagen discussions was contingent on
commitments by other developed countries and major emitters.
Aznar added that it would be difficult to take revised
commitments by non-EU countries into consideration at this
point given the January 31 deadline. However, he indicated
that a target above 20% was within the realm of
possibilities. The Ambassador will reiterate demarche
talking points as appropriate in his introductory calls.
SOLOMONT