VZCZCXRO0519
RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV
DE RUEHSM #1922/01 3421623
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 081623Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1478
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1021
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 0688
RUEHKU/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT 0276
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RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0115
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 2346
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 2152
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 0093
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0723
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 0120
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHDC
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0229
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STOCKHOLM 001922 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV ENRG KSCA SW
SUBJECT: SWEDEN'S GOALS FOR POST-KYOTO CLIMATE COOPERATION 
 
¶1. Summary:  Ambassador Wood met with Sweden's new Minister 
of Environment, Mr. Andreas Carlgren, for the first time 
December 6.  Topics of discussion included Sweden's desire to 
play a leadership role in setting the stage for a post-Kyoto 
international agreement to combat global warming, Ambassador 
Wood's initiative to partner with Sweden on achieving a 
technological breakthrough on alternative energy, and 
Minister Carlgren's upcoming trip to the United States 
(January 7-13, Washington D.C., Sacramento, and Los Angeles). 
 End summary. 
 
¶2. Ambassador Wood began the meeting by holding up an article 
on climate change that had appeared that morning in one of 
Sweden's two major daily newspapers.  The article, based on a 
report released in November in the U.S. by the "Earth Policy 
Institute," named the United States and China as the world's 
two largest emitters of greenhouse gases, voiced suspicion 
that the "real numbers" for China were probably higher than 
reported, and concluded that China would do nothing to reduce 
its emissions without the United States leading the way. 
Ambassador Wood used the article as a point of departure for 
detailing why the United States was unable to support Kyoto, 
and describing what we are doing to combat global warming. 
Ambassador Wood highlighted that the U.S. is contributing 
more resources than any other country in pursuit of 
developing alternative/clean energy technologies, and is the 
single largest contributor to climate research.  The 
Ambassador stated that his and U.S. Embassy Stockholm's "One 
Big Thing" initiative - to support collaboration with Sweden 
to achieve a technological breakthrough on alternative 
energy, had the support of President Bush. 
 
Sweden's assessment of the Nairobi Climate Conference 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
¶3. Minister Carlgren told Ambassador Wood that he had led 
Sweden's delegation to the recently-concluded UN Climate 
Conference in Nairobi.  Ambassador Wood asked for his 
impressions and evaluation of the event.  Carlgren reported 
that Sweden had played a key role in some of the discussions 
towards the end of the meeting, and that he had consequently 
"learned how difficult it will be" to pull China, India, 
Brazil, and Saudi Arabia towards cooperation on reducing 
emissions.  "The problem (in this area) is not just with the 
U.S." Carlgren said.  Carlgren characterized the conference 
as "successful" - although he had hoped participants would be 
able to accomplish more.  Among the successes, he named the 
agreement to conduct a comprehensive review of Kyoto by the 
end of 2008, in time, Carlgren stated, for Sweden to begin 
focusing on what will follow Kyoto, when Sweden assumes the 
EU Presidency in 2009.  Carlgren stated that, given the 
threat posed by global warming as outlined in the Stearn 
Report and others, countries have to work together to find a 
solution -- "there has to be a solution post-Kyoto." 
 
Moving beyond Kyoto - Sweden wants to help lead 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
¶4.  In the spirit of beginning to grapple with the issue of 
"what next," Minister Carlgren informed Ambassador that 
Sweden intends to host a conference in June 2007 in the 
Swedish Arctic (Kiruna, tentative dates: June 11-14) which 
will build on a 2005 conference hosted by Denmark in 
Greenland (U.S. reportedly participated), and continued in 
Capetown in 2006 (U.S. did not participate).  Sweden wants to 
invite 25 countries from Europe and elsewhere that "will have 
a role to play in the post-Kyoto system."  Carlgren invited 
the United States, through Ambassador Wood, to participate, 
and stated that Sweden intends to send out formal invitations 
within the next few weeks.  Carlgren stated that invited 
states would be expected to participate at the minister level 
(exceptions to be made only for the United States, China, and 
India).  Carlgren stated that the conference would be "very 
informal," would involve think tanks, and would be aimed at 
producing a short document describing a post-Kyoto solution. 
 
STOCKHOLM 00001922  002 OF 002 
 
 
"No one will have to take a formal, official postion," 
Carlgren said.  "We're just looking at how to go forward." 
Ambassador Wood replied that he would be very interested in 
attending and would consult with Washington regarding who, 
given the conference's focus, would most appropriately lead 
the U.S. delegation.  (Note: Ambassador Wood recommends that, 
given the high level of participation, the U.S. should send 
the highest level representative possible.  Ambassador Wood 
suggests Undersecretary for Democracy and Global Affairs 
Paula Dobriansky head USDel.) 
 
Collaborating with Sweden on the "One Big Thing" 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
¶5.  With regard to pursuing a technological solution to 
global warming, Minister Carlgren asked Ambassador Wood how 
Swedish reaction to his "One Big Thing" initiative has been. 
Ambassador noted that there was skepticism from Swedish 
contacts at first, but that this was being replaced by 
enthusiasm.  Ambassador noted that we have much to contribute 
to and learn from each other, stating that he had been 
surprised to learn that Sweden's first ethanol factory was 
built in 1908, and that 15 percent of all of Sweden's gas 
stations sell ethanol (compared with half a percent of U.S. 
gas stations).  Ambassador Wood stated that President Bush 
would like to see 20 percent of U.S. gas stations selling 
ethanol in the mid-term.  Ambassador Wood described Post's 
plans to serve as a match-maker between U.S. and Swedish 
researchers and scientists, as well as between businesses and 
investors.  He also discussed plans to establish a Fulbright 
Scholarship in support of alternative energy research and an 
award for an innovator who is successful at brining a 
promising new energy technology to market.  Carlgren 
expressed appreciation and support for the Ambassador's 
initiative and asked us to keep in mind opportunities for 
Sweden's Environment Ministry to support the initiative. 
 
Minister Carlgren's January 7-13 Trip to U.S. 
--------------------------------------------- 
¶6. Minister Carlgren and his staff are in the process of 
planning his upcoming trip to the United States.  Current 
plans are for him to spend two days in Washington, one day in 
Sacramento, and one day in Los Angeles.  Given our mutual 
interest in biofuels and clean energy, Ambassador suggested 
that it would be very worthwhile for Minister Carlgren to try 
and meet with DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency 
and Renewable Energy, Andy Karsner.  Ambassador Wood also 
offered to assist with helping to arrange additional 
appointments in Washington.  Post will follow up with 
Washington-based offices and agencies as we learn additional 
details from Minister Carlgren and his staff.  At the 
conclusion of his time in Washington, Carlgren will travel 
with a delegation of ten Swedish companies to participate in 
programs related to energy efficiency, sustainable cities, 
and biogas.  These are primarily areas of interest identified 
in a MOU between Sweden and the State of California signed in 
Stockholm in June of 2006. 
 
Comment 
------- 
¶7.  Ambassador Wood got off to a very good start with 
Sweden's new Minister for Environment.  Minister Carlgren was 
impressed by the Ambassador's "One Big Thing" initiative, and 
grateful for the offer of help with his upcoming trip to the 
U.S.  Minister Carlgren also appeared to take to heart the 
Ambassador's explanation of why the U.S. found it impossible 
to support the Kyoto Protocol and his frank advice that, if 
we are to have meaningful international cooperation on global 
warming in the future, we need to get past 
finger-pointing/wagging, and look for opportunities to engage 
in meaningful activities that work. 
WOOD