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Climate Action
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Eastern Europe, Caucasus
and Central Asia
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As the
host of COP29, we have been deeply engaged with
all stakeholders and are committed to addressing
climate change as the greatest transnational
challenge of our time. The conference will focus
on implementing the Paris Agreement, with a
central goal of enhancing ambition and achieving
equity while ensuring no one is left behind. We
aim to conduct COP29 transparently and
inclusively, integrating diverse perspectives to
drive meaningful climate action and sustainable
development.
Activists
from Russia and South Africa have joined forces
with their Kenyan counterparts to oppose the
construction of a nuclear power plant in Kilifi,
Kenya, citing concerns over safety,
environmental impact, and lack of public
participation. They argue that the nuclear
industry, facing declining support in their own
countries, is seeking new markets in Africa,
which deserves a safer and more sustainable
energy future. Kilifi residents have been
protesting against the project, fearing marine
system destruction and evictions, as the
proposed plant requires 35 acres and a
1.6-kilometer exclusion zone.
In
early 2024, KazWaste proposed to increase
tariffs for municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal
in Kazakhstan, which should encourage better
recycling. Currently, only about a quarter of
all MSW generated is recycled, despite a
significant improvement from 2018 to 2023.
Experts believe that raising tariffs alone is
not enough, suggesting instead the introduction
of differentiated tariffs and the development of
separate collection infrastructure to encourage
recycling and reduce waste.
Energy
Minister Victor Parlicov emphasized Moldova's
need to prioritize renewable energy and energy
efficiency, highlighted by the recent
installation of solar panels on the presidential
administration building with $103,600 in funding
from USAID. He outlined ambitious targets,
including a goal to achieve 30% renewable energy
by 2030 and noted significant progress with
increased solar panel installations. Parlicov
also praised the unprecedented $300 million US
aid for Moldova’s energy sector, which supports
both infrastructure development and population
compensation, helping Moldova integrate into the
EU energy market ahead of its EU
accession.
Dust
has become a convenient excuse for Uzbekistan's
real air pollution problem, although tree
felling and the construction boom also
significantly degrade air quality. Despite a
decrease in the frequency of dust storms in
Tashkent from 1981 to 2021, high dust
concentrations persist due to the arid climate
and human activity. Addressing the problem
requires rethinking construction practices,
increasing humidity, and greater adoption of
environmentally friendly
technologies.
Kazakhstan
is working with Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan to
develop electricity export capacity while
addressing domestic power needs. The Kazakh
Ministry of Energy has proposed a draft
agreement emphasizing green energy cooperation,
including renewable energy and energy
efficiency, to ensure energy security and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. Despite favorable
conditions for wind power and ambitious targets
for increasing green energy production,
Kazakhstan faces challenges in meeting both
domestic and export demands, with potential
plans for a nuclear power plant under
consideration to help bridge the
gap.
In
Russia's Krasnodar region, a fire destroyed a
relic forest, including 600-year-old junipers,
and led to the evacuation of more than 500
people. In Kazakhstan, investment in renewable
energy has increased significantly, but the
country is also suffering from drought, which
worries livestock farmers. In Uzbekistan,
despite environmental initiatives, pollution
problems remain, and a new energy efficiency law
plans to increase the share of renewable energy
to 40% by 2030.
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President
Biden’s decision to end his re-election campaign
has significant implications for U.S. climate
policies, raising hopes that his
administration's efforts will persist despite
the shifting political landscape. Meanwhile, the
Canadian government's recent climate-related
announcements, including a Green Buildings
Strategy and a Canada Public Transit Fund, have
been criticized as inadequate and incremental
rather than bold and transformative.
As
France navigates its recent political upheavals,
there is speculation that Laurence Tubiana, a
key figure in the creation of the Paris
Agreement, might become the country's prime
minister. Despite gaining support from most
left-wing parties, Tubiana faces opposition from
the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) due to
concerns about her alignment with centrist
President Macron. Meanwhile, Ursula von der
Leyen, re-elected as European Commission
president, has pledged to advance a "Clean
Industrial Deal" but faces scrutiny over the
specifics of her green policy agenda.
Discussions
about making buildings greener often overlook
the climate and environmental impacts of
construction, which contribute significantly to
emissions throughout a building's lifecycle.
CLEW aims to address this by highlighting
realistic solutions for fully decarbonising the
built environment, emphasizing the importance of
reducing emissions, resource use, and waste in
construction. The masterclass will share
insights on these issues, the current state of
EU legislation, and promising solutions,
encouraging journalists to engage in dialogue
and share their experiences.
EU-regulated
"green" funds are investing in major coal
companies that are expanding their operations,
despite a 2021 UN agreement aimed at reducing
coal use. European investors hold shares worth
at least $65 million in these firms, which are
among the world's top polluters, yet the funds
are classified under EU rules promoting
environmental and social goals. The situation
has sparked criticism from European financial
watchdogs, who argue that the current
regulations may be misleading the public about
the true sustainability of these
investments.
The
activists behind the 2022 M25 motorway shutdown
have been handed severe prison sentences,
totaling 21 years, with sentences ranging from
four to five years. This protest, which caused
significant traffic disruption and incurred high
policing and economic costs, has led to the
harshest penalties for a peaceful protest in
England, according to the activist group Just
Stop Oil. The judge criticized the protesters
for crossing the line from campaigners to
fanatics, dismissing their climate concerns as
irrelevant to their legal case.
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Sent: Tuesday, July 23,
2024 4:00 PM
Subject: CAN EECCA
Newsletter: Russia is burning, green energy in Moldova and opposing the
nuclear power
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