VZCZCXRO6624
PP RUEHAST RUEHDH RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHPA RUEHPB RUEHPOD RUEHSL
RUEHTM RUEHTRO
DE RUEHAR #1288/01 3371558
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 031558Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8593
INFO RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN PRIORITY 0016
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 001288 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR S/SECC, OES/EGC, OES/PCI, AF/W 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV KGHG EFIN EAID GH
SUBJECT: GHANA'S ENVIRONMENT MINISTER SHARES COPENHAGEN EXPECTATIONS 
WITH AMBASSADOR 
 
THIS CABLE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED.  PLEASE PROTECT 
ACCORDINGLY.  NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION. 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In a meeting with the Ambassador on December 2, 
Ghana's Environment, Science and Technology Minister, Sherry 
Ayittey, shared Ghana's expectations for the 15th Conference of the 
Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 
Copenhagen.  The Minister welcomed the provisional 17 percent 
emissions reduction target that the U.S. announced on November 25. 
President Obama's attendance at Copenhagen raised hopes that a 
comprehensive and equitable deal could be reached, she said.  At the 
same time, she urged the U.S. to make substantial financial 
commitments at Copenhagen to assist developing countries in 
mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change.  While 
Ghana is unlikely to break ranks publicly within the Africa Group 
and G77, Ghana could play a constructive and moderating role to help 
increase the chances for reaching a deal at Copenhagen.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (SBU) In a December 2 meeting with Ghana's Minister for 
Environment, Science and Technology, Sherry Ayittey, the Ambassador 
shared the U.S. vision for the upcoming Copenhagen Climate Change 
Summit, including President Obama's attendance and the provisional 
17 percent emissions reduction target that the U.S. announced on 
November 25. 
 
------------------------------------------ 
U.S. Engagement Raises Chances for Success 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶3. (SBU) Minister Ayittey noted that her ministry hosted Ghana's 
National Climate Change Forum on December 2 (reported septel) and 
had announced that Ghanaian President John Evans Atta Mills would 
attend the Copenhagen Summit, while the minister will serve as the 
deputy head of Ghana's delegation.  She said that many developing 
countries had been worried in recent months about the level of U.S. 
commitment to the negotiating process, but the announcements of a 
provisional U.S. emissions reduction target and of  President 
Obama's attendance had significantly raised the prospects of a 
successful outcome in Copenhagen. 
 
--------------------------------------- 
U.S. Target OK, But Needs Aid Behind It 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) She noted that the U.S. provisional 17 percent reduction 
target was actually a bit higher than she had expected, since based 
on discussions in October, many developing countries had anticipated 
that the U.S. would not commit to more than a 15 percent reduction 
in emissions by the Copenhagen Summit.  That said, the Minister 
repeatedly urged the Ambassador to convey the message that President 
Obama should make a substantial commitment of financial assistance 
and technology transfer to help developing countries mitigate and 
adapt to the effects of climate change. 
 
¶5. (SBU) She maintained that a robust U.S. financial commitment at 
Copenhagen would build on the "tens of billions" of dollars in 
commitments and pledges that developing countries were expecting 
from the UK, EU and Japan.  Once there was more clarity on the level 
of funding and technical assistance that could be expected from the 
developed world, she noted that Ghana would work to define areas in 
its climate change and science, technology and innovation policy 
where there could be potential collaboration with the U.S. 
 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
Major Developing States Must Stand Behind Commitments 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) In response to the Ambassador's queries regarding emissions 
targets for the major developing countries, such as China, India and 
Brazil, the Minister said she agreed with the notion that those 
countries should make emissions reduction commitments. In the 
minister's view, China's November 26 announcement of a 40-45 percent 
reduction in its emissions intensity by 2020 might prove to be 
"negligible" on an absolute basis, once a careful analysis of the 
proposal was completed.  The minister also accepted the principle 
that major developing economies' commitments needed to be 
transparent and verifiable, though she noted that there should be 
flexibility on the methods of reporting emission reductions. 
 
¶7. (SBU) The Minister agreed with the Ambassador that the tone at 
Copenhagen should remain constructive, with a focus on achieving a 
strong and comprehensive political agreement, and with the prospect 
of a legally binding agreement to follow at subsequent meetings 
within the next 3-6 months. 
 
¶8. (SBU) On other climate change issues, Minister Ayittey noted that 
Ghana wanted to see a separate agreement at Copenhagen on tropical 
 
ACCRA 00001288  002 OF 002 
 
 
forest conservation and "REDD" (reducing emissions from 
deforestation and forest degradation), most likely in the form of an 
addendum to the main political agreement.  She also argued that the 
Kyoto Protocol should remain in force until 2012 and then could 
possibly be extended. 
 
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COMMENT 
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¶9. (SBU) Ghana is not likely to vocally break ranks with the Africa 
Group or G77 at Copenhagen.  That said, Minister Ayittey clearly 
recognizes the seriousness of the U.S. emissions reduction offer and 
President Obama's attendance.  Ghana could play a constructive role 
in helping to moderate the rhetoric from more outspoken developing 
countries, thereby setting a tone in Copenhagen that increases the 
chances for a successful outcome. 
 
TEITELBAUM