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Climate
Change and
Energy News: Weekly Digest by
CAN EECCA
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Dear
subscribers,
We’re pleased to bring
you the latest updates on energy transition and
climate adaptation within our region and beyond,
with a particular focus on civil society
initiatives.
In
this edition, we spotlight key events and
insights we found especially compelling. If
there’s something important we overlooked, we’d
love to hear from you—your feedback is always
valuable.
Stay informed and
connected with the climate agenda through
us!
Aliya, CAN EECCA
Communications Coordinator
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Civil Society
Initiatives
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The
Karaganda EcoMuseum, a new CAN EECCA member in
Kazakhstan, led the project in partnership with
the Czech organization Arnika and with support
from the European Union. This initiative made
Karaganda the first region in Kazakhstan to
adopt a policy focused on emissions reduction
and climate adaptation.
At
a recent roundtable organized by EcoLur NGO, our
member in Armenia, representatives from Pambak
and Debed raised urgent environmental and
climate issues. They called for a recycling
plant, highlighted recent climate-related damage
to infrastructure and agriculture, and
emphasized the need for specialized
professionals to support sustainable municipal
services.
At
a recent roundtable in Bishkek organized by
MoveGreen, a CAN EECCA member in Kyrgyzstan,
experts discussed the urgent need to address air
pollution and enhance building energy
efficiency. An energy audit of 44 public
buildings across six cities revealed significant
heat loss and inefficient heating systems.
Participants stressed that prioritizing
insulation and energy-efficient technologies is
essential to reduce energy costs, improve indoor
comfort, and enhance air quality.
In
2015, the organization "Ecology-Law-Human" filed
a complaint with the Aarhus Convention
Compliance Committee regarding Ukraine's
violations of the convention’s standards. This
appeal was a response to the agreements with
Shell and Chevron for shale gas extraction, made
without environmental assessment or public
consultations. In 2021, the convention
authorities officially confirmed these
violations, mandating corrective action from
Ukraine; however, significant progress has yet
to be made.
The
latest episodes of the podcast feature four
members of the ComunEECCAtors Community, led by
CAN EECCA and n-ost, discussing the unique
challenges faced by climate communicators in
Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. Topics include
Belarusian science communicator Iryna
Ponedelnik’s experiences with exile, Ukrainian
journalist Serhii Barbu’s insights on climate
disinformation during war, and Alexej
Ovchinnikov's perspectives on reporting the
environmental impacts of conflict. Investigative
journalist Tsira Gvasalia highlights the
struggles of climate journalism under
authoritarian regimes and the identity crises
facing post-Soviet nations like
Georgia.
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News from the EECCA
Region
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The
Ministry of Energy of Moldova has presented a
draft law on electricity for public
consultation, aimed at modernizing and
integrating the sector with the European energy
system. According to the draft, the law will
regulate the organization and monitoring of the
electricity market and promote the adoption of
innovative technologies, such as smart meters
and energy storage systems. It also envisions
active participation from end consumers,
granting them the ability to produce, store, and
sell energy, as well as fostering cooperation
with neighboring countries to enhance energy
security.
Uzbekistan plans to
invest around $1.3 billion in building eight
waste-to-energy plants and processing landfill
gas. These facilities will annually dispose of
over 4.7 million tons of waste and generate 2.1
billion kWh of electricity, helping to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions by 2.4 million tons.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev highlighted the
environmental significance of these projects and
instructed that their number be expanded across
the regions.
EU
High Representative Josep Borrell emphasized
that COP29 in Baku offers Azerbaijan a critical
opportunity to demonstrate commitment to human
rights and peace, urging the release of detained
activists and journalists. He highlighted
concerns over the shrinking space for civil
society and called for lifting travel bans,
especially for Sakharov prize finalist Dr. Gubad
Ibadoghlu. Borrell also stressed that Azerbaijan
and Armenia are closer than ever to peace,
encouraging both nations to seize the moment to
commit to a historic peace agreement.
Oil
production has started in southern Kyrgyzstan at
the Severny Sokh and Chongara-Galcha fields,
with 20 wells expected to be operational by the
end of the year. Additionally, a $90 million oil
refinery is nearing completion in the Batken
region.
A
new report by Urgewald and CEE Bankwatch reveals
that Azerbaijan’s state oil company, SOCAR,
plays a major role in fossil fuel exploitation,
with nearly 97% of its 2023 capital expenditure
directed toward oil and gas. Despite
establishing a green subsidiary, SOCAR Green,
the report argues that this initiative primarily
serves to free up natural gas for exports rather
than indicating a genuine shift toward
renewables. As Azerbaijan prepares to host
COP29, concerns have been raised about the
country’s commitment to climate justice, given
its heavy reliance on fossil fuels, close ties
between SOCAR and the Azerbaijani President, and
ongoing human rights
violations.
Journalist and
eco-activist Natalia Shulepina, after visiting
the construction site of three hydropower plants
near the Gissar Reserve in Uzbekistan, expresses
deep concern about the region's environmental
future. In addition to the hydropower plants,
plans include laying pipes to divert water from
the Aksu River and building a ski resort on
3,000 hectares, which will result in large-scale
deforestation and changes to the natural
landscape. Natalia believes these projects
threaten the local ecosystem, rare animal
species, and raise serious questions about
compliance with environmental
regulations.
Researchers from Astana
IT University have published scenarios in the
Engineered Science journal for phasing out coal
and developing renewable energy (RE) in
Kazakhstan by 2040. Three key scenarios are
considered: increasing the share of RE to 30%,
fully phasing out coal-fired power plants, and
modernizing infrastructure with expanded
transmission lines. The scenario of replacing
coal with wind and solar energy was found to be
the most cost-effective, significantly improving
air quality in Kazakhstan as well.
Kazakhstan’s Minister
of Energy, Almasadam Satkaliyev, discussed with
representatives of Korean companies their
potential involvement in an international
consortium for building a nuclear power plant in
Kazakhstan. The Korean side expressed readiness
to support consultations and proposed
collaboration on localizing equipment
production. A final decision on the project
implementation model is expected in
2025.
Tajik President Emomali
Rahmon has announced plans to achieve a green
economy by 2037, but climate threats and
outdated infrastructure pose challenges to the
strategy’s implementation. Experts highlight the
ambitious nature of certain goals, such as
increasing the share of green construction to
80%, as well as the lack of sufficient
government funding and investment to achieve
these objectives. International partners,
including the EBRD and ADB, are already
providing funding, but the strategy’s success
requires a coordinated approach from all
stakeholders.
Global warming is
heating Russia 2.5 times faster than the global
average, with particularly rapid temperature
increases in the northern polar region, leading
to a reduction in Arctic ice cover and
permafrost degradation. According to experts,
adapting to climate change can help minimize
economic risks, but new threats are also
emerging, such as droughts in southern regions
and the spread of agricultural pests to
previously unaffected areas.
A
recent investigation revealed that the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
continued to fund research by Russian scientists
in Crimea even after the peninsula's annexation
in 2014 and the start of Russia's full-scale
invasion of Ukraine. Despite its public support
for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, IAEA
documents list Sevastopol as part of Russia,
raising questions about the agency’s stance.
Additionally, a recent IAEA-funded training in
Moscow included participants from occupied
Donetsk, recorded in the agency's database as
residents of the “Russian Federation,” which has
attracted criticism over the IAEA's involvement
in activities on Russian-occupied
territories.
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World Climate
and Energy News
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Following 2023, 2024 is
on track to become the hottest year in recorded
history. Average global temperatures have
exceeded pre-industrial levels by 1.5 degrees,
surpassing the limits set by the Paris
Agreement. This rise in global warming is
fueling climate-related disasters: increasingly
frequent droughts, floods, hurricanes, and
wildfires. But is it still possible to halt this
trend? What might our planet look like in fifty
years, and will it still be habitable? In the
latest episode of Archeology, host Sergey Medvedev
explores these questions with molecular
biologist and science journalist Irina Yakutenko
and EcoDefense co-chair Vladimir
Slivyak.
Oxfam's recent report
reveals that the carbon emissions from the
world’s wealthiest 1% are significantly
worsening global hunger, poverty, and excess
deaths, as their luxury lifestyles, including
private jets and yachts, contribute heavily to
climate change. The study shows that if everyone
emitted at the rate of an average billionaire,
the carbon budget needed to limit warming to
1.5C would deplete in just two days. Oxfam
advocates for higher taxes on extreme wealth and
carbon-intensive industries to fund climate
solutions, reduce inequality, and curb the
damaging impact of these ultra-wealthy
emissions.
A
new report from Stop Financing Factory Farming
reveals that development banks, including the
UN's Green Climate Fund, are investing billions
in industrial livestock operations across
vulnerable countries in the global south,
fueling climate change impacts. These
investments in factory farming, responsible for
up to 20% of global emissions, contradict stated
climate goals and risk worsening local
conditions. Stop Financing Factory Farming calls
on these financial institutions to pivot toward
sustainable, community-centered agricultural
systems that align with environmental and
climate objectives.
A
new report from Urgewald, a German environmental
and human rights organization, reveals that the
International Finance Corporation (IFC), a
member of the World Bank Group, committed $16.1
billion to trade finance in FY2023, with $4.7
billion estimated to support fossil fuel
projects—up 28% from FY2022. The lack of
transparency across IFC’s nine trade finance
programs complicates efforts to verify alignment
with climate goals, particularly regarding
fossil fuel investments. The report urges the
IFC to exclude coal, oil, and gas from funding,
improve auditing, and publicly disclose trade
finance details for accountability.
The
Emissions Gap Report 2024 by UNEP warns that
without stronger action in upcoming Nationally
Determined Contributions, the 1.5°C target of
the Paris Agreement could become unachievable
within a few years. To stay on track, emissions
cuts of 42% by 2030 and 57% by 2035 are needed,
with failure leading to a likely warming of
2.6-3.1°C. The report calls for urgent,
coordinated efforts from governments,
international collaboration, and a significant
boost in climate finance, with G20 countries
bearing a significant responsibility.
Turkey aims to
quadruple its wind and solar capacity to 120,000
MW by 2035, requiring $108 billion in
investments, with $28 billion allocated for
transmission infrastructure. To expedite
progress, Turkey’s energy ministry is reducing
permit times and preparing tenders and
regulatory incentives to attract private
investment. Despite recent growth in renewable
capacity, challenges with permitting and
financing persist, and the government is
implementing measures to support long-term
investment and reduce reliance on imported
fossil fuels.
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Opportunities &
Resources
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The
EKA Movement, a CAN EECCA member in Russia, has
launched a series of free methodological guides
aimed at supporting environmental education for
professionals in education, culture, media,
business, and public service. These guides offer
practical recommendations and are also valuable
resources for volunteers and anyone engaged in
environmental outreach. All materials are
available for free download on the Ecowiki
platform.
This campaign calls on
climate advocates and communicators from Eastern
Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia to unite
in addressing the region's colonial legacy and
environmental exploitation ahead of COP29. With
the upcoming UN climate conference in Baku, the
campaign aims to amplify the voices of those
affected by authoritarianism and ecocide,
advocating for decolonial action and human
rights. Whether attending COP29 or supporting
remotely, participants can contribute by sharing
local stories, creating campaign materials, or
engaging with the media.
The
Mountain Future Award 2024, organized by the
FAO, invites individuals and institutions to
submit innovative project proposals that address
challenges in mountain regions, such as climate
adaptation and youth engagement, for a chance to
win the award. Three winners will receive
international recognition, USD 5,000 in seed
funding, and project incubation assistance.
Proposals must be submitted by October 30, 2024,
with a focus on fostering sustainability in
mountain communities through innovation, climate
resilience, and empowering youth as agents of
change.
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Sent: Tuesday, October 29,
2024 7:49 PM
Subject: 🌍 CAN EECCA
Newsletter: Waste-to-Energy in Uzbekistan, Violations of the Aarhus
Convention in Ukraine, and Voices of Climate
Communicators |
