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We have checked the new
NDC submissions, but haven't found any from our
countries. CAN EECCA expresses serious concern
about the low level of climate ambition in EECCA
countries. To achieve climate neutrality, civil
society must increase pressure on authorities.
Special attention is given to Central Asian
countries, which show extremely low adaptation
levels despite significant risks to water
resources and the agricultural
sector.
On March 14, 2025,
Uzbekistan joined the Aarhus Convention,
strengthening its obligations to provide
environmental information and ensure public
participation in environmental decision-making.
The authorities have announced plans to
implement monitoring mechanisms and public
discussions of environmental
projects.
President of Azerbaijan
Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on the creation of
the “Digital Ecology” information system, which
will be managed by the “Geodesy and Cartography
Agency”. The goal of the system is to use
digital technologies for monitoring and managing
environmental data, enhancing transparency,
efficiency, and communication between the
Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, other
government agencies, and the public.
An Info Sapiens survey
commissioned by Ecoaction revealed that
68% of Ukrainians consider building new
power units at the Khmelnytskyi NPP unsafe due
to war-related risks. Concerns about radioactive
waste worry 80% of respondents, and 76% believe living near a
nuclear plant is dangerous even in peacetime.
Only 46%
are confident that Ukraine can effectively
manage nuclear waste storage and
disposal.
An oil spill in the
Black Sea has contaminated coastal areas,
including popular tourist zones.
Environmentalists warn of serious risks to
biodiversity and the economy of
tourism-dependent regions. Local authorities are
trying to minimize the damage, but water
purification problems remain
unresolved.
The Caspian Sea is
rapidly shrinking, and Kazakh scientists are
calling for an immediate declaration of a state
of emergency. The crisis results from climate
change, high temperatures, and human activity.
Environmentalists warn that further shrinking of
the sea could lead to catastrophic consequences
for local ecosystems and coastal communities.
Urgent measures are needed to prevent an
ecological disaster.
The development of the
largest coal mine in Kara-Keche, Kyrgyzstan, is
causing serious environmental and social
disputes. Local residents complain about air
pollution and land destruction.
Environmentalists warn that continuing coal
extraction without proper control will lead to
irreversible environmental damage.
A Kazakhstani MP
reported large-scale embezzlement of public
funds allocated for tree planting projects
across the country. According to him, the
projects turned out to be fraudulent, with huge
sums wasted. Environmentalists and activists
demand a thorough investigation and revision of
approaches to environmental initiatives to
prevent similar incidents in the
future.
The government of
Kyrgyzstan is working on plans to adapt to
climate change. The focus areas include
improving water supply systems and preventing
natural disasters. However, critics note slow
progress and a lack of coordination between
government agencies, which hinders the
implementation of effective
measures.
Kazakhstan announced
plans to boost hydrocarbon production and
increase investments in geological exploration
to enhance export potential and ensure energy
security. CAN EECCA opposes increased oil and
gas extraction, as it poses a threat to
environmental safety and exacerbates the climate
crisis.
The Minister of Ecology
of Kyrgyzstan emphasized the importance of
ongoing dialogue to improve air quality. The
discussion involved CAN EECCA members, including
MoveGreen. Meerim Shamudinova presented on “Air
Quality Monitoring in the Kyrgyz Republic: From
Data to Solutions,” stressing the need for
reliable data to develop effective environmental
solutions.
In March 2025, Moldova
launched a project to clean the canals of the
Prut River delta to save Lake Beleu. The project
aims to restore aquatic ecosystems and prevent
further degradation. The work includes cleaning
canal beds, modernizing drainage systems, and
improving the region’s water balance.
Environmentalists believe the project will
positively affect biodiversity and water quality
in the lake.
The Georgian government
approved a climate action plan for 2024-2025
with a budget of almost 3.7 billion lari ($1.37
billion). The plan focuses on mitigating the
impact of climate change on agriculture, water
supply, and energy. Special attention is paid to
infrastructure improvement and environmental
monitoring.
In March 2025,
Armenia’s Cabinet of Ministers increased the
funding for a grant program aimed at restoring
forests and wetlands. The updated measures focus
on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving
biodiversity, and enhancing environmental
monitoring systems.
Almaty’s
Mayor Yerbolat Dosaev promised to reduce air
pollution, but a clear action plan has not yet
been presented. The main sources of smog are
vehicle emissions and coal-fired boilers.
Authorities talk about the need to switch to
cleaner fuels and modernize public transport,
but the implementation of these measures remains
uncertain. Meanwhile, residents continue to
suffer from high levels of air
pollution.
On March 4-5, 2025, the
Central Asian Forum “From Awareness to
Action” took
place in Dushanbe, focusing on e-waste
management issues. Experts and NGO
representatives discussed practical approaches
to collecting, recycling, and disposing of
electronic waste, including establishing
centralized collection systems and developing
environmental legislation. Participants
emphasized the importance of international
cooperation to address the e-waste problem
across Central Asia.
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