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Rooppur
in western Bangladesh has become a hub for
Russian culture due to the construction of the
country's first nuclear power plant by Rosatom,
Russia’s state-owned nuclear giant. The $12bn
project aims to boost Bangladesh’s nuclear power
generation from zero to 10% within a decade,
addressing the nation's power shortages and
promoting economic growth. However, beyond
energy production, the project solidifies
long-term geopolitical ties between Bangladesh
and Russia, enhancing Moscow’s influence in the
region amidst shifting global energy
dynamics.
Floods
and mudslides have killed at least eight people
in Kyrgyzstan, authorities say. RFE/RL filmed
Kyrgyz rescuers and troops evacuating people
through a flooded canyon in the Nookat district
on June 29. The area is located in the country's
southern Osh region, which has been hit by heavy
rainfall. According to the Kyrgyz Foreign
Ministry, four of the casualties are children
from neighboring Kazakhstan.
President
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced that the people
of Kazakhstan will decide on the construction of
a nuclear power plant (NPP) through a referendum
this fall, with the exact date to be determined
by the cabinet. The Ministry of Energy and
Samruk-Kazyna are tasked with preparing for the
referendum and informing the public about its
objectives. The president emphasized the
necessity of a stable power supply for economic
growth and acknowledged safety concerns stemming
from the country's history, underlining the
importance of public discussions and
hearings.
Preservationists
are accusing Azerbaijani government agencies of
architectural vandalism as Baku prepares to host
the UN climate conference in November. Local
architects criticize the use of improper
techniques and materials in city renovations,
leading to paused renovations and some
treatments being washed off building facades.
Additionally, there are concerns over the loss
of green spaces and political maneuvers,
including calls for snap elections to avoid
conflicting with the conference.
In
Uzbekistan, the problem of medical waste
disposal is becoming increasingly acute due to
the growing volume of medical waste and
insufficient infrastructure for safe treatment.
Experts and environmentalists note that outdated
disposal methods, such as incineration in muffle
furnaces, do not meet modern standards and pose
a threat to public health and the environment.
Since 2018, private companies have been engaged
in medical waste disposal, but there are still
significant problems with oversight and
compliance with sanitary norms in the
regions.
Kovid
has changed attitudes towards travel within
Kazakhstan, leading to an unprecedented influx
of visitors to the country's national parks and
other tourist destinations, but also revealing
problems with litter, vandalism and fires.
Despite the growth in domestic tourism and
increased tourist traffic from abroad, tourist
pressure on natural attractions has resulted in
serious environmental damage.
The study aims to evaluate
the effectiveness of actions by local
governments at central and municipal levels in
mitigating, adapting to, and building resilience
against climate change. It involves identifying
local governments' responsibilities, assessing
the effectiveness of their climate crisis
measures, evaluating their institutional
capacities, and identifying barriers to
effective response. Additionally, the study
examines the role and accountability of local
governments in national climate policy
planning.
Kazakhstan
will present its program to reduce methane
emissions at the UN climate conference in Baku
in November, following its commitment to the
Global Methane Pledge to cut emissions by at
least 30% by 2030. The plan includes measures
across various industries, with significant
investment expected, including $1.4 billion by
2030 for the oil and gas sector and additional
funds for coalbed infrastructure and methane
management. Recent events, such as a major
methane leak in the Mangystau region, have
underscored the urgency of these
efforts
On 22
June, Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) in
Armenia organized a ‘Plogging & learning’
activity in Oshakan to promote healthy
lifestyles and environmental awareness among
youth, in cooperation with EuroClub Oshakan.
Over 30 participants discussed EU environmental
policy and the EU Green Deal, and YEAs shared
tips on how Armenian youth can positively impact
the environment. A similar event was held on 15
June in Sevan, where YEAs educated local youth
on Sevan’s biodiversity and EU environmental
policies during a hike.
Hot
and dry conditions in the Arctic have fueled
intense wildfires, particularly in Russia's
Sakha Republic above the Arctic Circle. These
fires, exacerbated by climate change-induced
warming, have already emitted significant
amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, marking
the third highest monthly emissions in the past
two decades, according to EU scientists. The
escalating frequency of Arctic wildfires
underscores the region's vulnerability and
serves as a critical indicator of broader
climate impacts globally, urging immediate
action to mitigate future risks.
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