Major Economies Forum (MEF) Advance Text of Agreement

The UK Guardian paper has received and published an advance text of the MEF agreement in L'Aquila.

If anyone had any doubt as to whether REDD and international forest carbon is on the main countries' agenda, it is the only specific mitigation that is mentioned in the first point of the communique. It also clearly marks out space for reducing emissions and enhancement of sequestration in forests. Here's the language:

"We will take steps nationally and internationally, including under the Convention, to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and to enhance removals of greenhouse gas emissions by forests, including providing enhanced support to developing countries for such purposes."

In other areas, the text uses highly ambiguous language on the overall goal for international collaboration. "We recognize the scientific view that the increase in global average temperature above pre-industrial levels ought not to exceed 2 degrees C."

There was also a strong shout-out to the Mexican proposal on funding.

There was one key date (November 15) for "lead countries" to report on action plans and road maps and to suggest recommendations for further progress. (Note - this could be an important date if the suggestions are coordinated; in other words, this could be a powerful opportunity to inject some clarity in the the final lap of UNFCCC talks).

And at the end, thankfully, the group said it would be meeting over the coming months in order to "facilitate agreement in Copenhagen". Phew.

BIG REDD - great article by Rhett Butler in Washington Monthly

Rhett is a great writer (and nice guy to boot). His piece in the Washington monthly is an excellent article on REDD.

The piece is called "Big REDD" and starts...

Right now, there’s more money to be made cutting tropical forests down than leaving them standing. Environmental policymakers are trying to reverse that equation.

Obama will chair MEF climate change session

If BusinessGreen reporting and BBC reporting (in title link) are true, then this Thursday we will find out how weak or strong President Obama can be on climate change. According to both stories, President Obama has asked to chair a key climate change session in the MEF (which is running parallel to the G20 meeting). Hopes are running high for an agreement on key climate change issues this week in Italy. There is a growing sense the UNFCCC process needs some clarity and direction from either the G8 or G20 and the MEF is where that will happen. Maybe these talks in Italy will be President Obama's first (and quite dramatic) foreign policy success? Imagine if he could get all the countries to agree on the basic ambitions and language to help the UNFCCC focus?

We shouldn't get our hopes up too high - other news outlets are reporting major diplomatic problems and low expectations. And the diplomatically unappealing talk of a "chairman's summary" if things can't get hammered out. Such a summary would indicate there wasn't agreement...

US & Indonesia sign $30million TFCA Sumatran conservation deal

The US State Department today announced the largest Tropical Forest Conservation Act (TFCA) deal ever in the ten years of the program's existence. TFG understands this marks a new direction toward fewer, larger deals by America's single largest dedicated funds for conservation of tropical forests.

As usual, TFG would like to see more details, which are always scant on these announcements, usually restricted to a press release. Specifically, it would be good to see more explicit expected conservation outcomes and more information on how the money will be spent. But for now, a toast to Indonesia and America for this important announcement!


Bureau of Public Affairs, US State Department
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
June 30, 2009

The Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Indonesia, Conservation International and Yayasan Keanekaragaman Hayati Indonesia (KEHATI) announced today that they have concluded the largest debt-for-nature swap under the Tropical Forest Conservation Act (TFCA) since its passage in 1998. The agreements will reduce Indonesia’s debt payments to the United States by nearly $30 million over the next eight years. In return, the Government of Indonesia has committed these funds to support grants to protect and restore the country’s tropical forests.

Indonesia is one of the most biologically-diverse countries on earth. Funds generated by this program will help Indonesia protect several forest areas on Sumatra, Indonesia’s second largest island. These forests are home to species found only in Indonesia, including the endangered Sumatran tiger, elephant, rhino, and orangutan. In addition, these forests provide important ecosystem services such as maintaining the quality and quantity of freshwater supplies and carbon sequestration.

The swap was made possible through contributions of $20 million by the U.S. Government under the TFCA and a combined donation of $2 million from Conservation International and KEHATI. Grants provided under the TFCA program will support activities such as conserving protected areas, improving natural resource management, and supporting the development of sustainable livelihoods for communities that rely on forests.

The Indonesia agreement marks the 15th Tropical Forest Conservation Act deal, following agreements with Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Panama (two agreements), Paraguay, Peru (two agreements) and the Philippines. Over time, these debt-for-nature programs will together generate more than $218 million to protect tropical forests.



PRN: 2009/663

addendum on vote numbers

The early reports were not quite right. It appears the final vote was 219 to 212.

You can find the roll call of who voted for and against the American Clean Energy and Security Act (HR 2454) through the link in the title bar.

WOW!!! US House of Reps pass climate change bill with major tropical forest provisions

This is a day to celebrate. Several news agencies are reporting that the US House of Representatives passed by a narrow vote of 217-205 the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

A few years ago, this would have been absolutely laughable. America should be proud that such a bill could pass this chamber in such difficult times.

This vote will also give US negotiators to the UNFCCC some much needed credibility.

In celebration, I am posting one of my favorite photos for everyone to enjoy. You Bet! It's Mr T and Nancy Reagan.

Waxman & Markey Have support all the way at the top

This from NYT today.

June 23, 2009, 1:34 pm
Obama Urges Passage of Climate Bill
By John M. Broder
(Jason Reed/Reuters)

President Obama on Tuesday gave a full endorsement to energy and climate change legislation now pending before the House, calling it “extraordinarily important.”

At a midday press conference, Mr. Obama said that the bill, sponsored by Representatives Henry A. Waxman of California and Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts, both Democrats, “will finally spark a clean energy transformation that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and confront the carbon pollution that threatens our planet.”

He said the bill will be paid for by utilities and other industries that produce the bulk of climate-altering emissions and will help position the country as a global leader in clean energy technology. “And that is why I urge members of the House to come together to pass it.”

The president’s strong endorsement comes three days before a scheduled House vote on the 1,201-page measure that has as its centerpiece a cap-and-trade program to limit emissions of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases that scientists blame for changes to the global climate.

As part of his lobbying efforts, Mr. Obama has dispatched cabinet officers and other top officials to a half-dozen states this week to tout the benefits of the bill and the administration’s spending on a variety of clean-energy projects, like wind power and loan guarantees for energy efficiency projects.

Mr. Waxman and Mr. Markey are still negotiating aspects of the complex legislation and there is no certainty that they will assemble enough votes to pass it on Friday over near-unanimous Republican opposition. But Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Monday evening approved a floor debate and vote at the end of the week, a signal that she believes that ultimately supporters of the bill will prevail.