Cablegate: France Supports Copenhagen Accord, Working On Next Steps

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DE RUEHFR #0139 0361508
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R 051508Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY PARIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8256
INFO RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
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RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS PARIS 000139

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV KGHG ENRG FR
SUBJECT: FRANCE SUPPORTS COPENHAGEN ACCORD, WORKING ON NEXT STEPS

REF: STATE 3080

1. (U) SUMMARY: France is promoting association with the Copenhagen
Accord and is taking the initiative on next steps. The GOF is
urging African countries directly, and through the Francophonie
organization indirectly, to associate themselves with the Copenhagen
Accord. The French are also working with the Norwegians on a "fast
start" for the Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and
Degradation (REDD Plus) initiative. The Ambassador will follow up
on these topics with Environment Minister Borloo during their
February 11 meeting. END SUMMARY

2. (U) In public statements, both President Sarkozy and Environment
Minister Borloo have been strongly supportive of the Copenhagen
Accord. President Sarkozy said that the Copenhagen Accord is not a
revolution, but it is the start of a revolution. Speaking on
January 27 before the parliament's economic committee, Borloo
pointed out that Europe accounts for only 17 percent of greenhouse
gas emissions, and that Europe's post-Kyoto goal was to attract the
remaining 80 percent of GHG emitters. He added that, "if on January
31 the rest of the world sends to the UN their engagement on
association and their plans for reduction, Copenhagen will be a
success." Dismissing pre-Copenhagen hopes, Borloo said that "a
European-style legally binding agreement with the rest of the world
was nonsense."

3. (SBU) Both Environment and Foreign Ministry officials assured us
that they strongly support the Copenhagen Accord, with which they
associated through the European Union. They urged African countries
to associate with the Accord, and also sent out an appeal through
the Francophonie organization urging association. They worded the
appeal to call attention to funds available through association
without being blatant. The Elysee Palace advocated that the EU be
aggressive in pledging a 30 percent GHG reduction under the
Copenhagen Accord, but working level officials explained that the
EU's ultimate decision to pledge 20 percent now, and 30 percent
contingent on other countries' targets and actions was more
realistic.

4. (SBU) To give greater credibility to the Copenhagen Accord's
"fast start" concept, Foreign and Environment Ministry officials are
already working closely with Norway on organizing a ministerial
meeting on March 11 in Paris to give impetus to the Reducing
Emissions by Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) PLUS program. The
March 11 meeting will prepare for a summit meeting in June in Oslo,
where funding will be pledged for specific projects.
5. (SBU) Governance of future Copenhagen Accord implementing
negotiations is a question still under discussion, according to our
French contacts. President Sarkozy had publicly proposed that the
group of 28 countries in Copenhagen become a semi-permanent group
with meetings alternating between United Nations Headquarters in New
York and Bonn. However, this appears to be the President's own
opinion, and has not been considered by the ministries. Our
contacts pointed out that because the Copenhagen conference did not
formally adopt the Copenhagen Accord, but only "took note" of it,
there is an ambiguity about its relationship with the UNFCCC and the
Kyoto Protocol. French officials are wondering about the best
approach to dealing with the rejectionists' opposition to the Accord
-- whether to ignore them, or try to co-opt them. They note that
Cuba, Venezuela and Bolivia have scheduled an April climate summit
in Cochabamba, Bolivia in April.

6. (SBU) On February 11 the Ambassador will be meeting with
Environment Minister Borloo to follow-up on their pre-Copenhagen
meeting. Post requests any updated guidance or messages that
Washington agencies would like conveyed in that meeting.

RIVKIN

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