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There
is a lack of air quality data in Tajikistan,
which leads to insufficiently substantiated
assessments of the environmental situation in
the media. Experts emphasize the need to reform
existing monitoring systems and create a unified
regional standard for Central Asia to improve
data quality. Updating the regulatory framework
and introducing an automated monitoring system
can contribute to a more objective assessment
and improvement of the environmental
situation.
The
program "Addressing the Energy Crisis in the
Republic of Moldova" significantly contributed
to overcoming the energy crisis in the country,
including support to vulnerable population and
development of strategic documents. The program
helped more than 800 thousand families through
electricity compensation, and implemented pilot
projects to improve energy efficiency and
install photovoltaic panels. As a result, new
heating systems were installed and conditions
improved for more than 400 families, as well as
training and equipping educational institutions
to train energy professionals.
A
resilient and dynamic civil society is crucial
for sustaining pluralistic democracies, but it
is increasingly under threat due to the erosion
of democratic values, deepening social divides,
and rising authoritarianism across the EU. The
Eastern Partnership (EaP) region faces
additional challenges including conflict,
corruption, and weak democratic institutions,
putting further strain on civil society efforts.
The ERICS-EaP projectaims to strengthen civil
society in the EaP countries by improving
resources, enhanc ing capacities, and fostering
regional and international cooperation to
support democratic processes and
reform.
The
Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved two
policy-based loans totaling $400 million to
support Uzbekistan's financial market and power
sector reforms. The $300 million loan focuses on
improving the power sector's structure, legal
framework, and governance, while promoting
renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions.
The $100 million loan aims to enhance financial
market regulation and transparency, including
the establishment of a dedicated regulator and a
fintech sandbox, as well as streamlining capital
market access and public debt laws.
In
2023, Russia is experiencing environmental
deterioration: 162 water bodies have extremely
high levels of pollution, the area of forest
fires has increased, and the number of extremely
hot days has risen, causing an increase in
mortality. Kazakhstan is building reservoirs to
address water supply problems, Uzbekistan is
taking steps to improve air quality, and
Kyrgyzstan is considering legislative changes to
build small hydropower plants, raising concerns
for UNESCO.
In
January 2023, Georgia's only wind farm generated
8.063 million kilowatt-hours of energy,
surpassing the combined output of over 16 medium
and small hydroelectric power plants. Despite
this, the Georgian government remains focused on
building more hydroelectric plants rather than
investing in wind and solar energy. The success
of the Kartli wind station highlights the need
for Georgia to diversify its energy sources and
transition to renewable energies beyond
traditional hydropower.
As a
result of the hurricane in the Gomel region of
Belarus on July 13-14, power supply and mobile
communications were disrupted, forests and
farmlands were damaged, children were killed and
many people suffered. Experts of the Alliance
"Green Belarus" call for better preparation and
response to emergencies through modernization of
warning systems, strengthening coordination
between government agencies, introduction of
alternative energy sources, and development of
volunteer movements. It is necessary to take
climate change into account in strategic
planning and to train the population to act in
emergency situations to mitigate their
consequences.
Rising
global temperatures contribute to the peril of
shrinking inland seas, with the Caspian Sea
exemplifying this trend by dropping two meters
in water level from 1993 to 2023. Without
significant intervention, the Caspian Sea faces
further declines, potentially shrinking its
surface area by 23% to 34% by the century's end,
posing environmental and socio-political threats
to the millions living nearby. To combat this,
comprehensive studies, increased global
awareness, reduced greenhouse gas emissions,
sustainable agricultural practices, and
international collaboration are essential,
alongside leveraging innovative technologies
like Digital Twin for strategic
decision-making.
The
Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation
(CAREC) Program is calling for nominations for
the CAREC Gender Climate Awards 2024, to
recognize individuals and organizations who are
making significant contributions to gender
equality in the context of climate change
resilience, adaptation and
mitigation.
The
EPIC Air Quality Fund is offering grants of up
to $75,000 for projects related to air pollution
and the installation of monitoring sensors, with
applications accepted through September 10,
2024. Support is available to governmental and
non-governmental organizations, universities and
NGOs, with priority for applications from 75
countries with high PM2.5 data needs. To
participate, you must register for the webinar
on July 31, 2024 and confirm the legal use of
PM2.5 monitoring equipment in the
country.
To
meet the growing global demand for energy and
address climate change, a substantial increase
in green skills within the energy sector is
crucial. The COP29 Cross-Border Energy
Transition Reporting Fellowship, organized by
Clean Energy Wire and the Stanley Center for
Peace and Security, offers five journalists the
opportunity to report on the energy transition
and green workforce during COP29 in Baku,
Azerbaijan, with travel and stipend provided.
Applications are open until August 12, and
selected fellows will investigate how
governments and businesses are addressing the
skilled labor gap and implementing green energy
commitments.
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