VZCZCXRO1648
PP RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHDH RUEHHM RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHMA
RUEHNEH RUEHPB RUEHPOD RUEHPW RUEHSL RUEHTM RUEHTRO
DE RUEHKA #0942/01 2781032
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 051032Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9504
INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 000942 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR: USAID, SCA/RA, SCA/INS, S/SECC, EEB, OES 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID ECON EAGR SENV SMIG TPHY BG
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH WANTS CONCERTED CLIMATE CHANGE 
MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION EFFORTS 
 
REF: DHAKA 350 
 
¶1.  The Government of Bangladesh believes both developed and 
developing countries share responsibility for addressing 
climate change, according to State Minister for Environment 
and Forests Dr. Hasan Mahmud, in a meeting with the 
Ambassador.  Mahmud praised President Obama's engagement on 
climate change and welcomed further U.S. leadership.  The 
State Minister underscored two goals for the UN Climate 
Change Summit in Copenhagen: inclusion of fast-developing 
countries in mitigation efforts and allocation of climate 
change adaptation funds to maximize their human impact.  He 
said that India and China needed to adopt emission caps.  The 
Minister expressed interest in carbon markets and regional 
clean energy projects.  The USAID Mission Director noted that 
USAID is supporting projects to train potential beneficiaries 
on carbon credit markets and promote regional energy 
integration.  With a background in environmental science, Dr. 
Mahmud understands climate change issues well and can serve 
as a partner for the U.S. on climate change. 
 
TWO KEY CLIMATE CHANGE GOALS 
---------------------------- 
 
¶2.  In an October 4 meeting with the Ambassador and USAID 
Mission Director, State Minister of Environment and Forest 
Dr. Hasan Mahmud emphasized the need for developed, 
fast-developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) to share 
responsibility for addressing climate change.  The Minister 
praised President Obama's strong statement at the UN Climate 
Change Summit and personal engagement on climate change 
issues for helping to build momentum in the lead up to 
Copenhagen.  He noted his positive meeting in September with 
U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern and invited 
Stern to visit Bangladesh before Copenhagen. 
 
¶3.  Dr. Mahmud said he was hopeful for a positive outcome in 
Copenhagen, citing the increasing level of understanding 
about climate change and the growing consensus that concerted 
action was necessary.  However, he noted two key goals for 
negotiation: (1) inclusion of fast-developing countries in 
mitigation efforts, and (2) the preparation of an adaptation 
package to help least developed countries, such as 
Bangladesh, adapt to climate change impacts.  Mahmud stressed 
that if China and India did not agree to caps on greenhouse 
gas emissions, any agreement at Copenhagen would be 
meaningless. The Minister argued that adaptation funds should 
be allocated to maximize their human impact.  As chair of the 
50-member grouping of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) at the 
Copenhagen summit, Dr. Mahmud said Bangladesh would continue 
to emphasize the principle of collective responsibility and 
press for robust mitigation and adaptation efforts. 
 
FORESTRY PROJECTS TO TAP CARBON MARKETS 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶4.  Minister Mahmud asked whether the U.S. could help 
Bangladesh to access carbon markets by training potential 
local beneficiaries and helping to attract international 
investment.  He explained that "ignorance" about carbon 
credits was hindering the country's ability to tap into these 
markets.  The USAID Mission Director noted that USAID,s 
Integrated Protected Area Co-management (IPAC) project was 
planning a seminar in October-November to bring U.S. Forest 
Service specialists to train government, private sector and 
civil society stakeholders on how to prepare projects to 
access carbon credit markets.  The seminar would also cover 
technical and policy issues, such as measurement of carbon 
sequestration from forests.  The IPAC project was also 
helping local communities surrounding protected areas to 
participate and benefit from forestry projects. 
 
REGIONAL ENERGY INTEGRATION 
--------------------------- 
 
¶5.  Dr. Mahmud requested help in encouraging international 
financial institutions to support regional clean energy 
projects in Bhutan and Nepal to supply Bangladesh's energy 
market.  The Ambassador noted that Indian companies were 
developing projects in Bhutan for the north India market 
which faced rising demand and considerable shortfall in 
generation capacity.  He commented that Nepal may hold 
greater potential and Bangadeshi involvement there could be 
helpful.  He also pointed out that USAID,s South Asia 
Regional Initiative for Energy (SARI/Energy) project was 
promoting regional integration of energy markets, including 
gas and power markets. 
 
ADAPTATION TRUST FUND 
 
DHAKA 00000942  002 OF 002 
 
 
--------------------- 
 
¶6.  USAID Mission Director Rollins asked how the GOB planned 
to use its $150 million multi-donor trust fund for climate 
change adaptation programs.  Dr. Mahmud explained that the 
government was still working to define how this fund will be 
used.  They will initially focus on defining immediate and 
short-term adaptation priorities but will take more time to 
define long-term plans. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
¶7.  With a background in environmental science, Dr. Mahmud 
understands climate change issues well and can serve as a 
partner for the U.S. in climate change negotiations.  After 
six months as State Minister for Foreign Affairs where he was 
an important Mission contact, Dr. Mahmud moved in July 2009 
to the Environment Ministry where the portfolio better fits 
his expertise. He also served as Prime Minister Hasina's 
personal assistant and remains close to the Prime Minister, 
who will lead the Bangladeshi delegation to Copenhagen.  As 
Chair of the LDC grouping in Copenhagen, Bangladesh can 
potentially play a constructive role in pressing for shared 
responsibility for mitigation and adaptation programs. 
Mahmud's categorical assurance that Bangladesh would push to 
have the fast-growing developing countries to adopt caps is a 
new and important development. 
MORIARTY