VZCZCXRO3728
RR RUEHIK
DE RUEHBS #1470 3021504
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 291504Z OCT 09
FM USEU BRUSSELS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC
INFO RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 001470 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON EIND ENRG EWWT KGHG SENV TRGY
SUBJECT:  PRESIDENT BARROSO CALLS FOR STRONG COPENHAGEN AGREEMENT 
 
REF:  USEU BRUSSELS 1391 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary.  In an October 28 speech, President Barroso, said 
that climate change is "the defining issue of our generation" and 
called for a strong international agreement in Copenhagen.  He 
expressed that strong support from European business is essential to 
success, and Copenhagen represents a business opportunity to secure 
investment in green technology and the development of green jobs. 
He added that developed countries must put money on the table for 
success in Copenhagen, and that 100 billion euros per year will be 
necessary, from all sources, in 2020 to address climate change in 
developing countries.  The speech came a day ahead of the European 
Council, when leaders will address final preparations for Copenhagen 
and the EU's negotiating strategy.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (SBU) President Barroso gave the closing address at a conference 
sponsored by BusinessEurope entitled "Can Copenhagen Show a Way 
Out?"  In his speech, he focused both on the role of industry in 
tackling climate change and his perspectives on what is necessary 
out of Copenhagen.  He began his speech by stating that strong 
support from European business is essential to ensure that companies 
have the predictability and certainty necessary to move forward in a 
low-carbon economy.  Copenhagen represents a business opportunity, 
as a strong agreement will ensure a surge of investment in green 
technologies as well as the creation of green collar jobs. 
 
¶3. (SUB) Turning to Copenhagen, Barroso said that climate change is 
"the defining issue of our generation," and that although there are 
differing responsibilities for the past, there is a common 
responsibility for the future.  The world must come to an agreement 
based on science.  The agreement should limit global temperature 
rise to two degrees C from pre-industrial levels, establish a global 
emissions peak by 2020, and cut global emissions at least 50% by 
¶2050.  To reach these goals, he stated that developed countries must 
be willing to put money on the table to assist developing countries. 
 He cited the Commission's estimate of 100 billion euros per year 
and said funds should come from developed and developing countries 
and private sources.  He argued that advanced developing economies 
have a huge potential to contribute, and that we need to recognize 
the difference between those countries and least developed 
countries: "there is a difference between China and Guinea-Bissau" 
he said. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Highlighting Commission actions over the coming months, the 
President announced that he will create a Commissioner for Climate 
Action.  (Note: Other Commission officials told USEU EconOffs that 
it remains unclear in the new Commission if climate change will 
remain under DG Environment or if it will be removed and combined 
with DG Energy or given its own DG.  The new Commissioner for 
Climate Action, they explained, will have a more intensive 
engagement with industry than does the Commissioner for Environment. 
 End note.)  Barroso also announced that the Commission will release 
an energy efficiency action plan early in 2010 (see reftel). 
Finally, the Commission will address how to decarbonize the energy 
mix through development of carbon free energies, reducing emissions, 
and reducing energy needs.  As part of this, Barroso proposed the 
concept of a European Super Grid, one that will require smart grid 
technologies. 
 
¶5. (SBU) The President's speech came a day before the European 
Council, where European Heads of State and Government will convene 
to discuss climate change and the EU's final negotiating framework 
heading to Copenhagen.  An early draft of the Council conclusions 
indicated that the leaders will reaffirm the commitment to limiting 
global temperature rise to two degrees C.  Additionally, they plan 
to agree that developed country emissions should be reduced by 
80-95% from 1990 levels by 2050 with global emissions halved in the 
same time frame.  Financing, however, is more contentious, and 
although it is expected that the leaders will agree with the 
President that 100 billion euros per year will be necessary in 2020, 
exact figures from the EU may not be forthcoming.  Poland and other 
Member States are contesting the EU's internal burden sharing rules 
for financing, arguing that financial support should be based on 
ability to pay and not on emissions.  One Member State 
representative said that Poland will not allow progress on EU 
financing figures until the burden sharing issue is resolved. 
Separately however, leaders appear prepared to conclude that 
international public financing will be in the range of 22-50 billion 
euros per year in 2050, and that 5-7 billion euros per year 
beginning in 2010 is necessary for fast start financing to assist 
the poorest countries to adapt to climate change now. 
 
MURRAY