UNCLASSIFIED 0 3 Department of State Case No F-2010-07559 Doc No 005327751 Date 03 03 2015 United States Department of State Assistant Secretary QfStatejbr Ocean and Enz-imnana and Sciemz c A airs UNCLASSIFIED WITH SECRET ATTACHMENTS Wizshington D C 20520 February 9 1989 MEMORANDUM IN TO Richard T McCormack Under Secretary Designate for Economic Affairs FROM OBS Frederick H Bernthayfj g SUBJECT Attached Background Material Here is the background material you requested at this morning' 5 staff meeting Please let me know if I can be of further assistance REVIEW AUTHORITY Adolph Eisner Senior I Reviewer Attachment As stated gmwaMvaa f UNCLASSIFIED WITH SECRET ATTACHMENTS War V ez LJ UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No 07559 Doc No 005327761 Date 03 03 2015 UNCLASSIFIED us Department of State Case No Doc No 005327764 Date 03 03 2015 Environment Health and Natural Resources Issues REVIEW AUTHORITY Adolph Eisner Seniok Reviewer UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Case No F-2010-07559 Doc No 005327764 Date 03 03 2015 UNCLASSIFIED us Department of State Case No Doc No 305327764 Date 03703 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES It is likely the new Administration will have to make decisions on four environmental policy concerns in the first quarter of 1989 Hazardous Wastes The Administration should decide whether to seek legislative authority to ban exports of hazardous wastes absent a bilateral agreement with the importing country EPA and DES believe we should seek this authority for domestic as well as foreign policy reasons Acid Rain The Canadians are pressing for an acid rain accord that would include targets and timetables for further emission reductions very early in the new Administration A decision will be needed as to whether to continue to insist that a commitment to timetables and targets is premature pending development by the Administration of a specific legislative proposal on acid rain Climate Change The Administration will need to develop a strategy on how to address the climate change issue Secretary Baker has already signalled strong 0 3 support for the recently organized IPCC process including development of policy options for limiting emissions or adapting to climate change The elements of such a strategy would include research to reduce scientific uncertainties short term measures such as additional research on energy sources and efficiency and an approach to calls for an international climate convention Biological Diversity Tropical Forests A policy initiative will be needed soon if the 0 5 is to play a leadership role in this important environmental area A decision on such an initiative would almost certainly have to be made at the cabinet level - UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No F-2010-07559 Doc No 005327764 Date 03 03 2015 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No Doc NO 005327764 Date 03 03 2015 - 3 5 Climate Change Administration Steins to Foster Action Question what steps does the new Administration plan to take to foster timely action on an international basis to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases Answer 0 The President-elect called in the campaign for a global conference on the environment Global warming would most likely be the principal subject of discussion 0 The success we had in reaching the Montreal Protocol on ozone-depleting substances shows what 0 5 leadership can do in forging a world consensus in addressing key issues 0 I envision an early conference we hope in the first year in office as a prelude to an even larger meeting down the road which might include heads of state 0 The point is that the President elect is committed to 0 3 leadership in addressing global warming and I believe you will see that reflected in his early words and actions 0 While it is clear that we need to know more about climate change prudence dictates that we also begin to weigh impacts and possible responses We simply cannot wait the costs of inaction will be too high I 0 Our international effort with respect to climate change will be focused on the newly-formed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC The 0 8 chairs the IPCC's Response Strategies Working Group RSWG We are hosting its first meeting at the State Department January 30 Need to develop an international consensus on options 0 Will focus on emissions reductions and encouraging reforestation for example Responds also to a December 20 1988 letter to Secretary-Designate Baker from Senators Biden Kerry Pell Luger Kassebaum and Boschwitz X79312 UNCLASSIFIED 08 Department of State Case No F-2010-07559 Doc No 005327764 Date 03 03 2015 UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Case No Doc No C05327764 Date 03 03 2015 Global Climate Change Proposed C02 Reduction Targets Question 12 The final statement of the Toronto Conference on the Changing Atmosphere called for governments to reduce C02 emissions by 20% by the year 2005 Should the 0 8 set an example of world wide leadership and endorse this goal What can we do to implement it Answer 0 Before we set firm targets for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions it is widely agreed that we must have a better understanding of the costs and benefit of such reductions as well as an international commitment to action 0 And we should not act unilaterally because climate change is a global problem that can only be solved by effective global responses We cannot do it alone 0 However I believe the 0 8 must take the lead in international efforts to address global climate change Others look to us to do so because we are best equipped to understand the problem and develop solutions We also contribute substantially to the problem 0 To be-effective we must provide leadership in two key-areas -- analyzing the problem and strategies to manage or resolve it -- acting to limit greenhouse gas accumulation if I scientific evidence demands we do so 0 So the key again is for the 0 8 to bring nations together both to improve our scientific understanding and in unified action The conference proposed by the President-elect will be a key first step Responds also to a December 20 1988 letter to Secretary Designate Baker from Senators Biden Kerry Pell Lugar Kassebaum and Boschwitz X79312 UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Case No Doc No 305327704 Date 03 03 2015 - UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Case No F-2010-07559 DOC NO 005327764 Date 03 03 2015 Global Climate Change Global Climate Protection Act Question 03 Under the Global Climate Protection Act the Secretary of State and Administrator of EPA are required to submit a joint report which shall include a summary analysis of the current international scientific understanding of the greenhouse effect an assessment of United States efforts to gain international cooperation in limiting global climate change and a strategy for seeking further international cooperation on this issue This report is due by December 1989 What steps should the United States take in 1989 to foster and develop international cooperation on this issue Would you foresee any difficulties in meeting the December deadline for filing this report In light of the enhanced international interest in this issue would you be willing to consider moving that deadline forward Answer 0 We will certainly be able to provide a report to the Congress by December 1989 on all our efforts to foster international cooperation in addressing this issue 0 The President elect has indicated that he will play a leading role on this important issue I will advise that this issue be a topic of discussion in meetings such as the seven nation economic summit and meetings with Mr Gorbachev The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC met for the first time in November 1988 and received strong support at the 1988 U N General Assembly The 0 8 played a lead role in bringing the IPCC into being A Working Group of the IPCC will review the state of inter- national scientific understanding U S scientists are actively involved in development of that review This full international scientific analysis will not be available until midel990 but in the December 1989 report to Congress we should be able to provide a status report on the process for developing that analysis and on other 0 8 efforts to gain international cooperation on the issue Responds also to a December 20 1988 letter to Secretary-Designate Baker from Senators Biden Kerry Pell Lugar Kassebaum and Boschwitz 379312 UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Case No F-2010-07559 Doc No 005327764 Date 03 03 2015 - UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Case No Doc No Date 03 03 2015 Global Climate Change Response Strategies Group Chair Question 04 The U s is faced with an immediate decision as to which agency should take the lead in the 0 5 effort as chairman of working Group in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which is scheduled to meet in Washington on January 30-31 Should it be the Department of State the a Presidentially appointed White House team Answer FYI A Domestic Policy Council working group decided to defer for now the decision on who should lead the RSWG State will continue in the lead in the interim The points below indicate our view of what the ultimate decision should be 0 Not surprisingly I can develop a number of reasons why the Department of State should lead U S participation in international meetings on climate change policy and specifically in meetings of the Response Strategies Working Group But clearly we will need to work with other agencies involved -- EPA the White House and others I will push for an early resolution of this issue 0 State's leadership in this area will help to ensure appropriate representation of the full range of 0 8 interests in this complex issue including the broad foreign policy implications 0 The State Department cannot however lead the development of domestic policy on climate change and will work closely with other agencies in developing options and 0 5 positions to ensure that our international positions are based on agreed domestic policy Responds to a December 20 letter to the Secretary Designate from Senators Biden Dell Kerry Kassebaum Luger and Boschwitz X79312 UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Case No Doc No 005327764 Date 03 03 2015 - UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Case No Doc No 005327764 Date 03 03 2015 I Global Climate Change Role of DES Assistant Secretary and World Bank Question IS A What role should be assigned to the Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans Environment and Science to address the issue of climate change Answer A OBS Assistant Secretary The OBS Assistant Secretary is the senior policy official with principal responsibility for international aspects of the climate change issue which is an inherently global issue He would normally lead 0 5 delegations to international meetings on climate change The OBS Assistant Secretary carries out this responsibility pursuant to the Secretary of State's statutory authority He does of course coordinate with other concerned bureaus within the Department and with other agencies Note 22 USC 2656 d as amended gives the Secretary primary responsibility for the coordination and oversight of major international science and technology activities The 1987 Global Climate Protection Act gives the Secretary responsibility for coordinating aspects of 0 5 climate policy requiring action through multilateral diplomacy May wish to add a personal note both the President-elect and I are committed to leading a serious effort to achieve 'global cooperation on the environment I think people around the world are coming to a new recognition that_this is necessary So frankly I think the portfolio of DES will be increasingly important in the years ahead B How can the United States ensure that the World Bank takes a more active role in addressing the issue of climate change UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Case No F-2010-07559 Doc No 605327764 Date 03 03 2015 UNCLASSIFIED us Department of State Case No F-2010-07559 Doc No 005327704 Date 03 03 2015 0 Answer ' B world Bank 0 The President-elect made a strong commitment in the campaign to making sure that environmental impacts are more carefully weighted in the development policies both of 0 5 agencies and of multilateral organizations to which the 0 5 is a party 0 Treasury experience Botswana Treasury State AID and other concerned agencies must work yith World Bank leadership and staff particularly the Bank's environment department to ensure that 1 project proposals are vetted for greenhouse and other environmental impacts at the earliest possible stage and 2 the Bank's overall funding priorities are shifted to sustainable development a code word for the environmentalists The 0 8 Executive Director and other officials working with the Bank on a regular basis must be instructed to give global climate and other environmental issues the highest priority Responds to a December 20 letter to the Secretary Designate from Senators Biden Pell Kerry Kassebaum Lugar and Boschwitz X79312 UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Case No F-2010-07559 Doc No 005327764 Date 03 03 2015 - UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Case No Doc No 305327764 Date 03 03 2015 - Global Climate Change Meetings of Montreal ProtocolI Summit Seven Gorbachev Question 16 How can international cooperation to address the greenhouse effect be fostered in the upcoming meetings of the parties to the Montreal Protocol in April the seven nation economic summit in June and in future meetings with Mr Gorbachev How can timely international action on this serious problem be best ensured - - Answer 2 The Montreal Protocol on ozone depleting substances shows that international agreement On these difficult issues is possible The President elect played a key role in helping craft that agreement so I believe he is aware of both the possibility and the need for international action 0 We have an urgent need for better baseline data on greenhouse emissions and other activities affecting climate from all nations so we can develop an effective inter national strategy 0 Partly in response to Congressional requests the 0 8 has taken the initiative to analyze its own contribution to greenhouse gas accumulation and identify ways in which that contribution could be reduced 0 This process is furthest advanced with regard to chloro- fluorocarbons CFCs where the 0 5 took the lead in negotiating the Montreal Protocol and in developing regulatory and other mechanisms for its effective implementation We should take advantage of upcoming meetings to urge the Soviet Union the Summit 7 and other nations to do the same Responds to a December 20 letter to the Secretary-Designate from Senators Biden Pell Kerry Kassebaum Lugar and Boschwitz X79312 UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Case No F-2010-07559 Doc No 005327764 Date 03 03 2015 US Department of State Case No Doc No 205327764 Date 03 03 2015 b1 L1 Iii-5L Q Lnangt- Sen Biden Q As Secretary of State you will be in charge of coordinating our nation s efforts'on global warming with those of other countries What steps do you plan to take in 1989 to clearly establish 0 8 leadership on this issue in the international arena A The President is committed to 0 5 leadership in addressing global warming Our international effort will be focused on the newly-formed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC in which we will play a very active role In particular we chair the IPCC's key Response Strategies Working Group which will provide the principal international forum in which policy Options related to climate change will be discussed We hosted the first meeting of the RSWG at the State Department January 30-February 1 In introductory remarks to that meeting I sought to underscore the importance of 0 8 efforts to understand and react to possible global climate change The 0 8 also participated in two other working groups on science and the potential impacts of climate change At the same time the United States Government will continue to participate actively in international efforts to coordinate and promote research to narrow the uncertainties regarding global climate change including activities under the World Climate Program and the International Geosphere Biosphere Program the the IRA Global climate change should be a topic of discussion in meetings such as the seven-nation economic summit and meetings with Gorbachev and should be fully taken into account in the development policies both of 0 5 agencies and multilateral organizations The President is committed to an international conference on environmental issues and I have proposed adding transnational issues including the environment as a fifth part can al- 0- sa UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Case No Doc No 005327764 Date 03 03 2015 UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Case No Doc No 005327764 Date 03 03 2015 Global Climate Change Sen Bidenl 0 An economic summit meeting is planned for June of this year in Paris what steps should the 0 5 take at that meeting to gain the cooperation the major industrialized countries on global warming A The economic summit meeting will provide an excellent opportunity for early discussions on the possible implications of potential global climate change for our societies We are working actively with other industrialized countries including those represented at the annual economic summits in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC in the International Energy Agency ISA and in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OECD to analyze potential impacts and policy responses The summit will provide an opportunity for consultations at the highest level to coordinate and advance our efforts In my remarks to the Response Strategies Working group meeting I emphasized the diplomatic aspect of when and how to take action and I made four points first that we can probably not afford to wait until all of the uncertainties have been resolved - second while scientific knowledge is refined we should focus immediately on prudent steps that are already justified on other grounds These include reducing CFC emissions greater energy efficiency and reforestation - third whatever global solutions are considered they should be as specific and cost effective as possible and - fourth those solutions will be most effective if they reconcile the transcendent requirements for both economic development and a safe environment UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Case No Doc No 005327764 Date 03 03 2015 UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Case No Doc No 005327764 Date 03 03 2015 Global Climate Change Sen Biden 0 would it be appropriate to use bilateral and multilateral foreign assistance programs to help address global warming Do you believe there is a cenflict between global warming considerations and other factors such as economic development or national security A We can clearly see that short term economic development without regard for environmental considerations can lead to a host of negative results of which increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is only one The President made a strong commitment in the campaign to making sure that environmental impacts are more carefully weighed in the development policies both of 0 5 agencies and of multilateral organizations to which the 0 8 is a party There need not be a conflict between global warming considerations and economic development The concept of sustainable development is increasingly recognized as necessary 1 in today s world The fight against global poverty and our commitment to environmental protection including the phenomenon of global warming are clearly interdependent Sustained development involves the sound management of resources rather than exhausting them UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Case No F-2010-07559 Doc No 305327764 Date 03 03 2015 - UNCLASSIFIED 0 5 Department of State Case No 9201007559 Doc No 005327764 Date 03 03 2015 Drafted SButcher f 1 23 69 X79312 Cleared 0E5 RJSmith fit LSAlle EB EHcAllister g0 Ef UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Case No F-2010-07559 Doc No 005327764 Date 03 03 2015 FLUNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No F-2010-07559 Doc No 005327765 Date 03 03 2015 Debt for Nature Swaps 359n- Biden BELEASEDINFULM What role do you foresee if any for the State Department in encouraging so called 'debt-for nature swaps Would it be appropriate to use foreign assistance money to facilitate those swaps A Last April 13 while I was still Secretary of the Treasury we submitted to the Congress a report regarding possible initiatives by multilateral development banks to facilitate debt-for-nature swaps with developing countries We also supported the development of private sector initiatives aimed at converting a portion of developing nations' debt into local currency for conservation and environmental use I was personally involved in promoting revisions of the tax law to encourage debt-for nature swaps and plan to continue eXploring innovative approaches to debt and development issues along the lines of the co financing packages worked out during my tenure at the Treasury I thought these were good suggestions at the time and still do I believe the proper role for the State Department is to work closely with Treasury to encourage the World Bank and other multilateral development institutions to take a number of initiatives including the following piggy-backing debtefor-nature conversions onto MDB loans and environmental programs -- integrating environmental policy into the banks' structural adjustment and sector loan programs considering pilot programs in certain countries exploring the possibility of making loans available for tropical forest and wetlands protection and offering technical assistance regarding the start up of debt-for-nature programs REVIEW AUTHORITY Adolph Eisner Senior Reviewer UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Case No Doc No 005327765 Date 03 03 2015 F- UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Case No Doc No 005327765 Date 03 03 2015 I I At the time of last year's release of the Treasury report to the Congress we did not envision the U S government playing a direct role in debt-for-nature swaps I understand however that A I D has been in close consultation with nongovernmental and private voluntary organizations concerning the feasibility of very limited debt-for-nature pilot projects witin the narrow legal constraints currently governing A I D debt swap activities In View of the increased public awareness of this issue and the importance of preserving our fragile environment I believe that the entire debt for-nature concept is a subject worthy oi serious study The Department of State will be Lactively engaged in the consideration of this concept UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Case No Doc No 005327765 Date 03 03 2015 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No F-2010-07559 Doc No 005327765 Date 03 03 2015 Question 8 Dr COCecil c1 WLockwow WNitze JRobinson 1 MKimble M567 JHester 0 I UNCLASSIFIED US Department of State Case NO Doc No 005327765 Date 03 03 2015 National Security Archive Suite 701 Gelman Library The George Washington University 2130 H Street NW Washington D C 20037 Phone 202 994‐7000 Fax 202 994‐7005 nsarchiv@gwu edu
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