VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNY #0634 3330743
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 280743Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY OSLO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7183
INFO RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 1356
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS

UNCLAS OSLO 000634 
 
SIPDIS 
 
PASS TO OES/EGC ED FENDLY; EUR/PGI DAVID TESSLER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KGHG SENV ENRG NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY'S GOALS FOR POZNAN 
 
REF: STATE 119282 
 
¶1. Summary: Norway's chief climate negotiator, Hanne Inger 
Bjurstrom, speaking with Emboffs, outlined Norway's 
priorities for the upcoming climate negotiations at the UN 
conference in Poznan, December 1-12.  Bjurstrom welcomed 
signs of increased U.S. leadership in climate change and 
clearly expects the U.S. to take a more active role in future 
negotiations. Norway's priorities for Poznan are to encourage 
a flexible mandate for 2009 and to build the political will 
necessary for Poznan to succeed. End Summary 
 
Enthusiastic about cooperation with U.S. 
--------------------------------------- 
¶2. Bjurstrom had just returned from a trip to Washington and 
was familiar with the details of the U.S. position.  She also 
understood the U.S. emphasis on ensuring negotiating space 
for the incoming Obama Administration.  Bjurstrom was very 
enthusiastic about the incoming Obama Administration and 
clearly believes that the U.S. and Norway now share the same 
goal and even much of the same understanding of how to obtain 
the goal. 
 
 
GON Priorities for Poznan 
------------------------- 
¶3. Outlining the GON's priorities for Poznan, Bjurstrom 
stressed the need for increased political pressure on 
governments, a focus on midterm (2020) goals along with 
longer-term 2050 goals and the importance of participation 
from developing economies. A key element of developing 
economies participation will be agreements to provide 
sufficient funding to support these countries in reforming 
their energy policies.  The GON is committed to the two 
degree goal and would like to encourage the development of a 
technology fund. The GON will send a very large delegation to 
Poznan, approximately forty people from the Ministries of 
Environment, Energy, Foreign Affairs, Finance and Agriculture 
along with some members of Parliament. 
 
Working together with the EU and U.S. 
------------------------------------ 
¶4. Norway is specifically committed to ensuring a "flexible 
dynamic" and mandate for the 2009 Copenhagen negotiations. 
They interpret this to mean less time spent on workshops, and 
more focus on political pressure.  The 2020 goals are 
important to get the developing world on board and the GON 
believes U.S. leadership is essential in pressuring 
developing nations, such as China to adopt the 2020 goals. 
While the long-term goal (2050) is important, Bjurstrom 
stated that the midterm goal should be a priority as it will 
force action in a way long-term targets do not.  Norway 
understands that there will be different standards for 
different countries, but stated that the Obama Administration 
should expect pressure from the EU to pass cap and trade 
legislation.  The wish for U.S. leadership was clear although 
Bjurstrom did admit that even robust U.S. leadership it may 
be insufficient to get China, India and other developing 
economies fully committed.  Norway cooperates extensively 
with the EU and can be expected to echo much of EU policy. 
Bjurstrom expressed Norway's commitment to work with the U.S. 
in Poznan and throughout 2009. She also was strongly 
supportive of U.S. research and development efforts, saying 
that technology will provide the ultimate answer. 
 
WHITNEY