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Climate Action
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Eastern Europe, Caucasus
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Kazakhstan
will hold a nationwide referendum on October 6
to decide on the construction of a nuclear power
plant, as announced by President Kassym-Jomart
Tokayev in his State-of-the-Nation Address.
Highlighting the global energy shortage, Tokayev
emphasized the need for reliable and green
energy sources, suggesting nuclear power could
meet the country's growing demands.
In
April 2024, the Parliament of Ukraine registered
a draft law for building energy blocks No. 3 and
No. 4 at the Khmelnytska nuclear power plant,
but experts from the NGO "Environment. People.
Law" have challenged its validity due to missing
crucial documents and insufficient public
participation. They argue that the environmental
assessment, which lacks necessary studies and
transparency, must be updated. Without these
steps, they warn, approving the law would be
premature and unlikely to gain support from
international financial institutions.
Up to
80% of Kyrgyzstan's pastures are degrading due
to uncontrolled grazing by a growing livestock
population and the impacts of climate change.
Experts warn that if this trend is not reversed,
it could lead to irreversible damage to
biodiversity and agriculture. To maintain their
productivity, specialists emphasize the need for
implementing land rotation and other sustainable
grazing practices.
The
preliminary reports presented by UNEP and the
Kazakh-German University assess the current
landscape of green jobs and skills development
in Georgia and Kazakhstan. They underscore the
importance of aligning educational programs with
the increasing demand for green skills and offer
recommendations for building a sustainable
workforce through targeted training and robust
policy frameworks. The reports also highlight
challenges like skill gaps and limited
awareness, calling for coordinated efforts among
stakeholders to address these barriers and
advance the green transition in both
countries.
A new
study highlights significant gaps in climate
change adaptation research for Central Asia's
mountainous regions, revealing a lack of
actionable strategies despite high vulnerability
to issues like glacial melt and water scarcity.
The review of 52 publications identifies the
need for diverse expertise in areas such as
biodiversity, disaster mitigation, and public
health to develop comprehensive adaptation
plans. The study calls for enhanced
collaboration among researchers, policymakers,
and NGOs to address these critical gaps and
support sustainable development in the
region.
Scientists
in Turkmenistan are cultivating a pistachio
grove in the Karakum Desert using an ancient
rainwater harvesting technique called the
“sub-takyr lens,” combined with modern
scientific methods. This experiment, launched in
1986 and still ongoing, demonstrates how
traditional water collection practices can be
adapted for sustainable agriculture in arid
regions without the need for significant capital
investment. The project offers new opportunities
for greening desert areas and could serve as a
valuable model for countries struggling with
water scarcity and desertification.
A
Climate Council has been established under the
President of Uzbekistan, serving as the highest
advisory body on climate change issues in the
country. President Mirziyoyev signed the decree
to create the Council in early August 2024. The
Council will oversee the country's compliance
with its commitments under the UN Framework
Convention on Climate Change and the Paris
Agreement. Additionally, a Climate Science Forum
will be established at the Central Asian
University for Environmental and Climate Change
Studies, which was inaugurated in February of
this year.
The
COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company is preparing
to debut a daily television program that will be
broadcast globally during the climate summit in
November in Baku, aiming to provide accessible
updates on COP events and promote climate
action. The show will be aired live from Baku
Stadium, featuring interviews, expert analysis,
and simplified content to engage a global
audience. Produced by UK-based Hi Impact, the
program is currently seeking a Headline Partner
to broaden its reach and impact.
Kyrgyz
political analyst Bakyt Baketaev has proposed
creating a Central Asian Water and Energy
Commission with supranational authority to
manage transboundary water resources more
effectively. He expressed support for Kazakh
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's initiative to
establish a consortium for regional water
management. According to Baketaev, this would
help prevent conflicts and ensure the efficient
use of water resources in Central
Asia.
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South
Korea's Constitutional Court has ruled that the
country's climate law fails to protect basic
human rights or adequately safeguard future
generations, urging the legislature to revise
the carbon neutrality act by February 2026. The
ruling came in response to petitions from about
200 plaintiffs, including young activists, who
argued that the government has not done enough
to combat climate change. As the first high
court decision on climate action in Asia, this
landmark verdict could set a precedent for
similar lawsuits in the region and encourage
stronger climate policies.
Sixteen
young people from across Japan have filed the
country's first nationwide climate lawsuit
against ten major energy companies, demanding
CO2 emission reductions in line with IPCC
recommendations. The plaintiffs argue that the
companies' insufficient measures to reduce
emissions violate their human rights and
threaten their future, as the combined emissions
from these companies represent about 30% of
Japan's energy-related CO2 output. This landmark
case aims to highlight the urgent need for
stronger climate action and could set a
significant precedent in Japan.
A
study by the Food Foundation shows that
plant-based meat alternatives are generally more
environmentally sustainable and healthier than
animal-based products, emitting fewer greenhouse
gases, using less water, and offering a better
nutritional profile. However, some processed
alternatives contain high salt levels and lack
key nutrients like iron and vitamin B12. While
plant-based options are often more expensive,
beans and grains emerge as the healthiest, most
eco-friendly, and cost-effective
alternatives.
Marine
heatwaves are intensifying globally, posing
severe threats to underwater ecosystems,
fisheries, and tourism, as evidenced by the
ongoing crisis in Cyprus, where rising sea
temperatures have decimated marine life.
Researchers from the Cyprus Marine and Maritime
Institute are investigating the effects of these
heatwaves and experimenting with coral nurseries
to restore damaged reefs. With marine heatwaves
expected to increase in frequency and intensity,
experts stress the urgency of understanding
their impacts and developing strategies to
mitigate the damage to ocean
biodiversity.
David
Jones, a leading figure in advertising and
co-founder of One Young World, believes climate
change poses a far greater threat to humanity
than AI and calls for urgent action to combat
it. He has shifted his focus from marketing to
supporting young leaders through his charity,
One Young World, which empowers youth to drive
change on critical issues like climate action.
Under his leadership, the charity has made a
significant impact, with its ambassadors
reaching over 50 million people since its
founding in 2009.
A new
study suggests that combining solar panels with
crop production, known as agri-PV, could meet
68% of the current energy demand in Czechia,
Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia while enhancing
food security and generating extra income for
farmers. The report by the energy think tank
Ember estimates that deploying agri-PV on just
9% of farmland could meet the electricity needs
of agriculture and food processing in the
region. However, the study also emphasizes the
need for supportive legislation and
infrastructure to fully realize the potential of
this dual-use strategy.
An
international research team found that in global
drylands, plant trait diversity increases under
higher levels of aridity and grazing pressure,
challenging the assumption that harsh conditions
reduce diversity. The study assessed 20 chemical
and morphological traits of plants across 98
sites in 25 countries, revealing that these
conditions promote a wide range of adaptation
strategies, making drylands a global reservoir
of plant phenotypic diversity. The findings
provide insights that could guide the selection
of suitable plant species for greening programs
in arid regions like Saudi Arabia.
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Join
CAN EECCA and Bankwatch for an online training
session on 5th September 2024, where we'll
explore renewable energy options for Central
Asia, debunk common myths, and assess the
potential of RE solutions to support a
sustainable future. The session will be led by
Pippa Gallop, an expert in energy policy with 20
years of experience in environmental issues in
Southeast Europe.
This
webinar, set for September 10, will address the
urgent need to strengthen Ukraine's energy
infrastructure amid ongoing Russian attacks that
have caused widespread power outages. Drawing on
comprehensive data and analysis from Green Deal
Ukraїna, the event will feature three key
studies, policy recommendations, and priority
actions to mitigate the energy crisis.
Discussions will focus on the current state of
the energy system, strategies to attract private
investment in flexible generation and storage,
and the expansion of cross-border capacities
between Ukraine and the EU.
The
Eastern Partnership Civil Society Facility,
funded by the EU, in collaboration with CAN
EECCA, is organizing a series of webinars for
civil society organizations (CSOs) to engage
with the upcoming COP29 climate conference in
Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024. These
sessions will offer key insights into climate
policy, finance, and strategies for effective
engagement. Open to both local and international
CSOs, the webinars will take place on September
16, 18, and 20, and participants need to
register in advance.
An
online information session about the Global
Greengrants Fund (GGF) Small Grants Program in
Central Asia will take place on September 12,
2024. Participants will receive insights into
GGF’s activities, the program’s goals and
priorities, the application process, and common
pitfalls to avoid when applying. The program has
recently announced a call for project proposals
from environmental organizations and grassroots
groups in Central Asia, prioritizing projects
that focus on environmental justice, climate
change adaptation, biodiversity conservation,
and other environmental initiatives.
The
Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) will host
International Youth Climate Adaptation Day on
October 12, 2024, the largest annual event of
its kind, bringing together young people from
over 100 countries. This day is dedicated to
mobilizing, showcasing, and celebrating the
potential of youth in developing and
accelerating climate adaptation solutions. Young
people worldwide are encouraged to participate
in various activities, including the "My
Adaptation Solution" video competition and
organizing Youth Climate Adaptation Lighthouse
Events.
The
UNFCCC secretariat invites media organizations
to apply for workspace and facilities to cover
the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) taking
place from November 11-22, 2024, in Baku,
Azerbaijan. Media attendance is welcomed at
local, regional, and international levels;
however, due to limited facilities, approvals
will be granted based on applications submitted
online by the October 14, 2024, deadline. Media
accreditation began on June 2 and is currently
open.
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Sent: Tuesday,
September 03, 2024 5:00 PM
Subject: CAN EECCA
Newsletter: Nuclear Referendum in Kazakhstan, COP29 TV channel, and
Mythbusting Renewables
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