Cablegate: Finns Claim Progress During the Un Climate Change

VZCZCXRO0588
RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV
DE RUEHHE #0004 0051421
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 051421Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2862
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 0055
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 4730

UNCLAS HELSINKI 000004

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: NA
TAGS: SENV ENRG KSCA EUN FI
SUBJECT: Finns Claim Progress during the UN Climate Change
Conference in Nairobi

1. (SBU) Agreement on the governance structure and operation of the
Kyoto ProtocolQs Adaptation Fund was one of the most significant
achievements of the recent UN Climate Change Conference in Nairobi,
according to Outi Berghall, Director of the International Climate
Change Project at the Finnish Ministry of Environment and Vice Chair
of the Ad Hoc Working Group (AWG) on Further Commitments. The fund,
which has a special focus on Africa and may ultimately reach 300
million euros, will allow developing countries to finance clean
energy projects. Berghall also welcomed agreement on a five-year
work program to enable countries to use models and scientific
studies to better track the impact of climate change.

2. (SBU) Commenting on RussiaQs proposal to allow developing
countries to make voluntary Kyoto commitments, Berghall noted that
while it is a valid concept, the language is Qpoorly craftedQ since
it discourages developing countries from making commitments on
emissions. Finland looks forward to exploring the Russian concept
further through direct consultations with developing countries.

3. (SBU) Berghall was pleased to see agreement by the 166 Kyoto
countries on a comprehensive plan that will set the stage for
further commitments by developed Kyoto countries beyond 2012.
Leading as EU President, Finland was also able to secure support for
an overdue second review of the Kyoto Protocol by 2008. Berghall
said the stalemate was broken by assuring developing countries they
would not be required to make new commitments; the review would
simply be an analytical assessment of past performance.

4. (SBU) Finland continues to view Kyoto as the primary instrument
for tackling climate change and FinlandQs post-Kyoto commitments
will likely be a key priority for the next government. (Note:
Finland will hold parliamentary elections in March 2007.) Though
FinlandQs emissions have increased in recent years, Finland
continues to keep its Kyoto commitments by engaging in Kyoto
projects that reduce emissions elsewhere and by purchasing emissions
credits.

HYATT

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