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Climate
Change and
Energy News: Weekly Digest by
CAN EECCA
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Dear
subscribers,
We’re excited to bring
you a new edition of our news digest,
highlighting how our region is adapting to a
changing climate. While we don’t usually choose
the themes for each issue, the approaching
winter and the growing democratic deficit have
naturally shaped this edition’s focus: energy
solutions and civic engagement.
We’ve curated events
and insights that caught our attention. If we
missed something important, please don’t
hesitate to let us know — we’re always open to
your feedback. Be sure to check out the section
on interesting opportunities and find links to
past issues at the end of the digest.
Stay informed on
climate developments with us!
Aliya, CAN EECCA
Communications Coordinator
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News from the EECCA
Region
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Kazakhstan's October 6
referendum saw 71.12% of voters supporting the
construction of the country's first nuclear
power plant, despite a government crackdown on
dissent and the detention of nearly 30
activists. Supporters argue the plant will
reduce reliance on coal, while opponents raise
concerns over environmental risks and potential
increased dependence on Russia if Rosatom is
involved. Allegations of electoral
irregularities and low turnout in politically
active areas like Almaty have raised questions
about the legitimacy of the
vote.
We
are excited to welcome the Public Foundation
"Dasti Saboh" from Tajikistan as the newest
member of the CAN EECCA network. This
organization supports vulnerable communities,
promotes eco-activism, provides disaster relief,
and raises awareness about climate change, with
a special focus on advancing ecofeminism. With
"Dasti Saboh," CAN EECCA now connects 54 NGOs
across 11 countries in Eastern Europe, the
Caucasus, and Central Asia.
Andrey Ozharovskiy, a
Russian nuclear physicist and activist, shared
his insights on the latest IAEA resolution
concerning the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
(ZNPP) during an interview on the YouTube
channel RZVRT. The IAEA reiterated its serious
concerns over Russia’s failure to comply with
earlier demands to withdraw military personnel
from the plant and return it to Ukrainian
control. Ozharovskiy pointed out the dangers of
potentially restarting the ZNPP reactors and
discussed Rosatom's fears about Russia being
expelled from the IAEA.
On
26 September, Moldova officially launched the
Learning Energy Efficiency Network (LEEN) in
Chisinau, bringing together over 30 Covenant of
Mayors signatories. LEEN will support member
towns and villages with energy planning tools,
expert advice, and access to professional
networks for project development. The initiative
is a collaboration between the Ministry of
Energy, GIZ Moldova, and local partners, aimed
at helping municipalities reduce CO2
emissions.
Kyrgyzstan's Energy
Minister, Taalaibek Ibrayev, highlighted both
good and bad news regarding the country’s
electricity situation. While water levels at the
Toktogul reservoir, which is crucial for
generating much of Kyrgyzstan’s hydropower, are
higher than last year, Kyrgyzstan is still
facing a significant electricity shortfall, with
3.9 billion kilowatt hours less power than
needed this autumn-winter. To mitigate this, the
country relies on electricity imports from
neighboring nations, including Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and
Russia.
Tajik climate
scientists warn that the country's increasingly
dry climate poses serious risks to its flora and
fauna. Rapid climate change is accelerating
biodiversity loss, and endangered species,
including endemic plants and animals, are at
greater risk due to habitat destruction and
human activities. To mitigate these impacts,
urgent measures such as expanding protected
areas, restoring forests, and promoting green
technologies are needed to preserve biodiversity
and adapt to climate change.
In
southern Uzbekistan’s Baysun district, a second
accident at a gas field resulted in a hydrogen
sulfide leak, causing fatalities and injuries
among local residents, and continuing to poison
villagers. A Kun.uz correspondent visited the
village of Kofrun, where residents have been
evacuated, and examined the situation at the
local hospital. Those who remain in the area are
grappling with unsafe living conditions, leading
to growing frustration and uncertainty about
their future.
A
new project to improve public participation in
environmental decision-making in EU and Eastern
Partnership countries was launched with a
kick-off meeting in Yerevan on September 25. Led
by the Raoul Wallenberg Institute and partnered
with NGOs from Armenia and Georgia, the project
aims to analyze and develop recommendations for
Armenia's mining industry strategy and Georgia's
environmental impact assessment legislation. The
initiative will create a model guide to enhance
public involvement in industrial projects that
impact the environment, aligning national
policies with EU standards.
UNISON Group, a member
of CAN EECCA in Kyrgyzstan, has launched a new
project to broaden access to high-quality energy
efficiency consulting services nationwide.
Supported by IKI Small Grants and GIZ, the
initiative seeks to raise public awareness about
energy efficiency, train more than 30
professionals, and increase access to qualified
consultants in regions beyond Bishkek. The
project will prioritize empowering youth and
women, while also focusing on developing the
technical and entrepreneurial skills needed to
achieve state accreditation.
Belarus has requested
assistance from the IAEA in constructing a
national radioactive waste disposal facility,
highlighting the significance of international
expertise in this area. Deputy Prime Minister
Viktor Karankevich stated that Belarus adhered
to the agency’s recommendations during the
construction of the Belarusian Nuclear Power
Plant (BelNPP) and continues to collaborate with
the IAEA during the plant’s operational phase.
Additionally, the country is developing projects
to secure further technical assistance from the
IAEA.
The
war in Ukraine has sidelined many environmental
issues in Russia, but their global significance
remains considerable. Despite sanctions and
domestic challenges, Russia continues to advance
its environmental policies, focusing on waste
management and reducing emissions. However, the
weakening of legislation around public oversight
and protected natural areas raises concerns
about potential long-term environmental
impacts.
The
Soviet-era use of highly toxic organochlorine
pesticides (OCPs) on cotton and tobacco fields
in Central Asia has left the region with massive
stockpiles of banned and dangerous chemicals,
including DDT. Poorly managed burial sites
across Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and other Central
Asian countries have resulted in significant
environmental contamination and health risks,
with traces of OCPs found in human breast milk
and increased rates of diseases such as cancer.
Despite international bans, these pesticides
continue to contaminate soil and water, posing
ongoing threats to public health.
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World Climate
and Energy News
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Britain's last
coal-fired power plant at Ratcliffe-on-Soar shut
down on September 30, marking the end of the
UK's 142-year history of coal power generation.
This closure aligns with the government's policy
to phase out coal by 2025 and is celebrated as a
major achievement in reducing carbon emissions
and providing climate leadership. The plant's
remaining staff will either be relocated to
other energy jobs or stay on for
decommissioning, as the UK now transitions fully
to renewable energy sources.
According to a new
report by the energy think tank Ember, coal
power generation in OECD countries has fallen by
more than half since its peak in 2007, largely
replaced by solar and wind energy. Today, coal
accounts for just 17% of electricity generation
in the OECD, and 27 of the 38 member countries
are committed to becoming coal-free by 2030. The
rapid shift towards renewables is expected to
continue, with a focus on achieving fully
decarbonized power systems by
2035.
McKinsey’s Global Energy
Perspective 2024
A
new global energy report by McKinsey, Global
Energy Perspective 2024, highlights the
challenges and opportunities in the energy
transition. McKinsey’s analysis of the
data shows global emissions to 2050 remaining
above a 1.5º pathway—even if all countries
deliver on current commitments. Global energy
demand is projected to continue increasing until
2050, with electricity consumption accelerating
as new demand centers, like AI and EVs, emerge.
Renewables are expected to account for 65 to 80
percent of global power generation by 2050,
while fossil fuels will decrease but continue to
play a role in meeting growing energy
demand.
Due to growing public
protests, the world is moving away from nuclear
energy, with examples like Germany and Taiwan,
which have completely shut down their nuclear
power plants. Vladimir Slivyak, an anti-nuclear
activist and co-chair of the environmental group
"Ecodefense!", believes that nuclear energy
carries significant risks, such as accidents,
nuclear waste management, and threats to human
health. Nevertheless, many countries, like
France, continue to use nuclear power plants,
even though climate changes, such as heatwaves,
pose additional risks to their
operation.
The
German automotive industry, including
Volkswagen, is facing significant challenges due
to the end of state subsidies for electric
vehicles and soaring energy costs following the
break with Russia. Volkswagen is now considering
the closure of several factories, job cuts, and
is struggling with declining demand in
Europe—especially for electric cars, where sales
plummeted by 69% in Germany in August 2024.
Additionally, the company is under intense
pressure from Chinese electric vehicle
manufacturers, whose lower production costs and
improving quality are making them formidable
competitors in the European
market.
Switzerland and Italy
have redrawn part of their Alpine border due to
melting glaciers caused by climate change, with
the changes impacting areas near the Matterhorn
and popular ski resorts. The natural glacier
boundaries that once defined sections of the
border have shifted as glaciers rapidly melt,
leading to the need for both countries to
renegotiate their shared border. Switzerland has
approved the new border agreement, while Italy’s
approval process is still underway.
A
systematic review of 40 studies on air pollution
and childhood brain outcomes found that exposure
to pollutants is linked to changes in brain
structure, such as reduced gray and white matter
volume and altered microstructure. The research
highlights that children are particularly
vulnerable to air pollution due to their higher
exposure and developing brains. These findings
underline the need for policies to reduce air
pollution and protect children’s brain
health.
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If
you specialize in writing or speaking about the
climate crisis, energy transition, or
sustainable development, join the
communEECCAtors network, led by CAN EECCA and
n-ost. This community offers professionals from
Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia a
platform to share experiences, resources, and
the latest news, fostering collaboration and
helping shape the narrative around climate
action. Members can access up-to-date research,
participate in joint projects and training, and
receive support for their initiatives while
expanding their professional
networks.
The
conference seeks to bring together youth and
academic institutions to collaborate in the
fight against climate change. It will feature
expert-led panel discussions on climate
challenges and the role of youth activism,
conducted in Russian with separate presentations
in English. Participation requires prior
registration, and the event will be held in a
hybrid format on October 12. The conference is
organized by Narxoz University (Kazakhstan), the
youth climate organization "Climate for Us," and
PRME Global Students.
The
Divočina eco-adventure center in the Czech
Republic is looking for three volunteers to help
organize eco-adventure workshops and camps for
children, and to teach conversational English
using fun, informal methods. Volunteers will
receive private accommodation, vegetarian meals,
training, and opportunities to engage with the
local community and develop their own projects.
The application deadline is October 31,
2024.
The
CAREC Institute is hosting a webinar on "Water
Deficit and Hydrogen Production – Central Asia
Perspective" on 15 October 2024, addressing the
challenges of hydrogen production amid global
water scarcity, with simultaneous translation
from English into Russian. The discussion will
focus on the impacts of water shortages on green
hydrogen production in Central Asia, a region
rich in renewable energy potential but with few
hydrogen initiatives. Participants will engage
with experts to explore sustainable energy
solutions and the future of hydrogen production
in the region.
The
Youth Climate Innovation Programme offers young
innovators from developing countries the
opportunity to develop and scale climate
solutions through a virtual program.
Participants will engage in a 7-day Idea Lab to
refine ideas, followed by a 12-week Incubator
for hands-on support, and a 4-week Accelerator
to prepare for investment and partnerships.
Applicants aged 18-35 from Africa, MENA, Latin
America & the Caribbean, and Asia-Pacific
can apply by October 20, 2024.
The
2025 YGC Recoupling Awards aim to recognize
young changemakers who align economic prosperity
with social and environmental sustainability.
Eligible applicants—individuals only—have until
October 31, 2024, to apply, and the top 15 will
receive a full scholarship to attend the Global
Solutions Summit in Berlin, where they can
present their projects to a jury. The top
category winners will also receive a €2,500
prize, and applicants will gain access to a
global network of like-minded
individuals.
Applications are now
open for the Oxford Climate Journalism Network,
with a deadline of October 13, 2024, at 23:59
(UK time). Successful applicants will
participate in a six-month intensive online
program, which includes 14 mandatory sessions
and access to a community of 100 journalists
worldwide, along with workshops and discussions
led by climate experts. The program is designed
for practicing journalists from various fields
interested in enhancing their climate change
coverage, and applicants must secure support
from their newsroom management to participate
fully.
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Sent: Tuesday,
October 08, 2024 2:14 PM
Subject: CAN EECCA
Newsletter: Kazakhstan Chooses Nuclear Power, the UK Says Goodbye to
Coal, Climate Communicators Unite
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