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Climate
Change and
Energy News:
Weekly
Digest by CAN EECCA
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Dear
subscribers,
This issue highlights
the week’s key developments in climate, energy,
and the environment — with a sharp contrast
between political declarations and real climate
challenges across the region and
beyond.
Kazakhstan debates oil
oversight reform, while Kyrgyzstan and
Uzbekistan secure hundreds of millions of
dollars for resilience and restoration. In
Chernobyl, a new solar power plant goes online.
On the global stage: record-breaking heat in
Europe, rapidly deteriorating ocean conditions,
and a long-awaited international shipping
agreement.
We’re always open to
hearing your thoughts, ideas, or stories — don’t
hesitate to get in touch.
Sincerely,
The
CAN EECCA Team
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News
from the EECCA Region
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The
Karaganda Ecological Museum (Ecomuseum), a
member of the CAN EECCA network, shares an
expert opinion: countries that manage to balance
economic interests with the need to preserve a
healthy environment move forward, while those
making little effort remain stagnant or fall
behind. Kazakhstan is traditionally seen as part
of the latter group, with no real ambition to
improve its position in global environmental
rankings. In this article, environmental
activist Dmitriy Kalmykov, Development Director
of the Karaganda Regional Ecological Museum,
reflects on the steps that need to be taken at
the level of government, business, and citizens
to make Kazakhstan’s economy environmentally
sustainable.
How
climate change is linked to global and local
economies, why the energy transition is not just
an environmental issue but an economic one, and
what debates are currently unfolding around the
costs of phasing out fossil fuels.
According
to Deputy Minister of Finance Altynbek
Kudayberdiev, under the agreement, the ADB will
provide $222 million to finance public
investment projects. The funds are planned to be
directed toward implementing investment
initiatives, as well as the reconstruction of
irrigation and energy systems, climate change
adaptation, and improving the resilience of the
water management sector. Monitoring will be
required.
On
April 12, a new solar power plant was launched
in Chernobyl. The project was funded by the
Spanish government through greenhouse gas
emission quotas under the Kyoto Protocol,
according to Ukraine’s Ministry of Environmental
Protection and Natural Resources.
Minister
Svitlana Grynchuk stated that the project
initially began in 2019 but was halted following
the full-scale invasion. Construction later
resumed, and by autumn 2024, the project was
nearing completion. The station is now fully
operational and connected to Ukraine’s power
grid.
At the
climate forum in Samarkand, the Ministry of
Ecology of Uzbekistan and the World Bank
launched a new initiative: the “Sustainable
Landscapes Restoration Project.” The project is
financed with $153 million and aims to expand
forest areas and improve living conditions in
regions affected by land degradation.
The
Government of Moldova has approved the concept
of the Energy Efficiency Information System
(SINEE), aimed at improving the management of
energy efficiency measures and organizing data
on energy savings. The new digital platform will
be administered by the National Center for
Sustainable Energy, and all interested
stakeholders will have access to relevant
information.
Member
of the Mazhilis, Sergey Ponomarev, has raised
concerns about the environmental situation in
the Caspian Sea. In a parliamentary inquiry, he
pointed to a significant drop in sea levels and
a biodiversity crisis. According to him,
deteriorating ecological conditions in the
Atyrau and Mangystau regions are contributing to
declining life expectancy and rising cancer
rates.
The
World Bank Inspection Panel has received
complaints from residents living downstream of
the Amu Darya River, who expressed concerns over
environmental risks associated with the
continued construction of the Rogun Hydropower
Plant in Tajikistan. Experts will investigate
the issue and provide an assessment, according
to the environmental coalition "Rivers Without
Boundaries."
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World
Climate and Energy News
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Europe remains the
fastest-warming continent, and the impacts of
climate change are becoming increasingly
evident. The year 2024 was the hottest on
record, with unprecedented temperatures in
central, eastern, and southeastern parts of the
region.
Storms were often
severe and floods widespread, claiming at least
335 lives and affecting around 413,000 people. A
stark climate divide was observed throughout the
year: the east experienced extremely dry and hot
conditions, while the west faced warm but rainy
weather.
According to a new
study, half of all marine heatwaves recorded
since 2000 would not have occurred without
global warming caused by the burning of fossil
fuels. These events have become not only more
frequent but also more intense — on average 1°C
hotter, and significantly more in some
regions.
This is the first
large-scale study that shows just how deeply the
climate crisis is altering the state of the
world’s oceans. Scientists also note that warmer
water absorbs less carbon dioxide, further
accelerating global warming.
After nearly a decade
of negotiations, countries have agreed on a
global deal to cut emissions in the shipping
sector.
Starting from 2028,
shipowners will be required to switch to cleaner
fuels or face penalties of up to $380 per ton of
CO₂ emitted. The agreement covers the vast
majority of the world’s commercial
fleet.
Talks were almost
derailed after Saudi Arabia called for a
last-minute vote and the U.S. withdrew from the
process. Nevertheless, the deal was approved at
a session of the United Nations’ International
Maritime Organization (IMO).
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Applications
are now open for the youth forum within the
framework of the High-Level International
Conference on Glacier Preservation. Young
climate activists from countries affected by
glacier melt are invited to
apply.
To
apply, send your: full name, email, age,
organization, and a short bio.
Contact:
Komronbek Avezov — avezovk...@gmail.com,
Telegram: @avkoer
A
biodiversity and ecosystem services youth
workshop by IPBES, supported by the German
Federal Agency for Nature
Conservation.
What:
Regional training on biodiversity, ecosystems,
climate, water, health, and sustainable
transitions
Where:
Europe (exact location to be
confirmed)
When:
November 2025
Who:
Young people (18–30 years old) from Europe and
Central Asia engaged in nature conservation and
sustainable development
Conditions:
Free participation; travel support may be
available (details TBC)
Deadline:
May 31, 2025
The
EU-funded SECCA project has launched a regional
media contest for journalists from Central Asia.
Submissions are welcome on the topics of
sustainable energy, renewables, energy
efficiency, gender equality, girls' STEM
education, green construction, and EU–Central
Asia cooperation. Eligible entries must have
been published or aired between April 15, 2024
and May 14, 2025.
Deadline:
May 14, 2025 (23:59 UTC+5)
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Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2025 7:30 PM
Subject: 🌍 CAN EECCA Newsletter:
Investments, Political Promises and Reality
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