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*[Enwl-eng] 🌏CAN EECCA Newsletter: Russia's two-year aggression, Ukraine's green fightback and Moldova's energy plan

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Feb 26, 2024, 11:49:31 AM2/26/24
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CAN EECCA ENGLISH DIGEST‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  
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Regional Climate News 

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Screenshot_2024-02-26_at_14
Urgent: halt EU and G7 funding for russia's brutal war - 280 civil society groups appeal

Over 280 European, international, and Ukrainian NGOs have jointly urged the European Union and G7 leaders to tighten control over Russia's fossil fuel exports, citing the need to prevent further aggression in Europe beyond Ukraine, especially as the tragic anniversary of two years of war approaches. They advocate for measures such as banning Russian LNG gas imports, closing loopholes in existing sanctions, and reducing oil and gas consumption to diminish the financing of Russia's military endeavors. These civil society groups call for full enforcement of price caps on Russian crude oil, prevention of the expansion of dangerous tanker fleets, closure of refining loopholes, and a complete ban on LNG imports from Russia to deflate the Russian war economy. 

Urenco resumes business with Russia despite war in Ukraine

Environmental organizations have criticized the shipment of uranium from Russia to Almelo, the Netherlands, after ANVS issued a transport permit. The uranium deal has drawn sharp criticism, pointing out the contradiction with sanctions and the growing dependence on Russian supplies. France's EDF is also involved in nuclear deals with Russia, emphasizing European dependence on the Russian nuclear industry.

Moldova: Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan undergoes public consultation

The Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) 2025-2030 in Moldova, drafted with support from the EU and UNDP, underwent public consultation, outlining targets for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 2030. Key initiatives include achieving a 27% share of renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 68.6%, introducing energy-saving measures, renovating public buildings for energy efficiency, launching an Energy Efficiency Fund, and promoting smart meters and electric vehicle chargers. 

International groups stand in solidarity with Armenian environmental and human rights defenders facing defamation and criminalization

Armenian human rights and environmental defenders have faced escalating attacks in local media, including defamation, smear campaigns, and intimidation, particularly concerning their work on environmental issues such as the controversial Amulsar mining project. Despite opposition from local communities and concerns raised by civil society organizations, the government's support for the project has led to intensified attacks on defenders, raising fears of further restrictions on civic space and hindrances to meaningful engagement with international financial institutions. The targeting of defenders through defamation lawsuits and demands for compensation underscores the risks they face in protecting human and environmental rights, threatening the integrity of civil society in Armenia.

How Kyrgyzstan solves the problem of water shortage and what they agree on with neighbors

Farmers in Kyrgyzstan are facing a shortage of irrigation water, which last year led to the loss of a third of their crops in Chui oblast. The country's authorities promise to solve the problem by building special basins and cleaning silt from canals. The Ministry of Water Resources is rethinking its functions, including ensuring rural water supply and monitoring river conditions, with increased preparation for possible water shortages and future plans, including revision of water agreements.    

Azerbaijan expands COP29 Organising Committee

President Ilham Aliyev has issued an order to modify the composition of the Organising Committee for the upcoming COP29, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement sessions, as reported by Caliber.Az and published on the official Azerbaijani presidential website. The changes involve expanding the committee to include various representatives such as Khanlar Agalarov, Gulshan Akhundova, and Sabina Hajiyeva, among others, while excluding Ruslan Aliyev. These adjustments aim to enhance the committee's effectiveness in preparing for the significant climate change conferences ahead.

What is common between climate change and russia’s war against Ukraine? Two years perspective of the full-scale war.

The intertwining of climate change and Russia's war against Ukraine is rooted in fossil fuel dependency. Russia's substantial revenue from fossil fuel exports, amounting to over $600 billion since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, fuels its military expenditures, contributing to an unprecedented increase in its military budget, predominantly funded by oil and gas exports. Moreover, the war exacerbates climate change, with the conflict alone contributing approximately 150 million tons of CO2 equivalent emissions, surpassing annual emissions of highly industrialized nations like Belgium. Various war-related activities, including warfare, fires, airspace closures, and refugee movements, significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, with estimated climate damage reaching nearly $10 billion.

Kyrgyzstan: Lawmakers push ahead with contentious foreign agents bill

Lawmakers in Kyrgyzstan have advanced legislation regulating NGOs in a move criticized for potentially stifling civil society, with procedural irregularities noted during the voting process. Spearheaded by Nadira Narmatova, the bill requires NGOs receiving foreign funding to undergo stringent audits and discloses employee details, prompting concerns over operational feasibility and governmental intentions. Despite international condemnation, including from the U.S. government, for potentially limiting essential services provided by NGOs, Kyrgyzstan's president defended the bill, accusing foreign-funded NGOs of misrepresentation and wastefulness.     

Ukraine’s green fightback: Wind farms, solar schools and counting the cost of ‘destroying nature’

On the second anniversary of Russia's invasion, Ukraine is determined to rebuild stronger and greener despite ongoing conflict. Energy plays a crucial role, exemplified by Ukraine's disconnection from Russia's power system just before the invasion, signaling its intent to integrate with Europe's network and emphasize independence. Despite facing significant infrastructure damage, including the loss of major energy assets like the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Ukraine is investing in renewable energy projects and aims to become a green energy hub for Europe, showcasing resilience and commitment to environmental sustainability amidst adversity.

What do young people in Uzbekistan know about water scarcity problems?

The Center for Media Research and Educational Development (Mediadatalab) of Uzbekistan conducted a study titled "Do you have water?" focusing on the attitudes of young people in Uzbekistan towards water conservation and environmental awareness. Despite the high awareness of water scarcity issues among the youth, their behavior does not always reflect conscious water conservation practices in daily life. However, the majority of respondents are willing to adopt rational water-saving advice, indicating a potential for behavioral change through effective education and awareness campaigns. 

Workshop: The Risks of Decoupling: Post-Soviet Critical Infrastructure Legacies, New Challenges and the Societal Dimension

The aftermath of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine underscored Europe's vulnerabilities in energy supply, security, and infrastructure, particularly in Eastern Europe where the shift away from Russian fossil fuels posed significant challenges for energy transition and transit routes. Countries grappled with the task of decoupling critical energy infrastructure from Russian dominance, with Lithuania advocating for an accelerated disconnection from the Russian grid. Concerns over rising costs and potential blackouts added to the complexity, highlighting the intricate interplay between security, economic, and societal factors in the region's energy landscape.


World Climate News

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UK ministers in court again over net zero plans

Environmental groups, including Friends of the Earth, ClientEarth, and the Good Law Project, are taking the UK government back to court over what they perceive as inadequate measures to meet legally binding climate targets. Despite a previous legal challenge that led to revisions in the government's climate action plan, critics argue that the updated plan still falls short and relies too heavily on unproven technologies. The groups assert that the government's strategy is risky and insufficient in addressing the urgent need for greenhouse gas emissions reduction, as mandated by the Climate Change Act of 2008. The government, however, maintains that it has a strong track record of emissions reduction and is committed to meeting ambitious climate targets, though it refrains from commenting further due to ongoing litigation.

Hydrogen Could Have Much Bigger Climate Impact Than Most Estimates, Study Shows

A recent study by Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) highlights flaws in current frameworks used to assess the climate impacts of hydrogen production, emphasizing the need for accurate accounting. The research identifies three critical factors often overlooked: hydrogen emissions' warming effects, real-world methane emissions intensities, and near-term warming impacts. EDF's reanalysis of a previous lifecycle assessment reveals that hydrogen systems could significantly vary in climate impact, depending on factors like upstream methane emissions and carbon capture rates. The study underscores the importance of robust assessment methods and data to ensure that hydrogen deployment yields intended climate benefits and avoids unintended consequences. 

‘The Achilles heel of the fossil fuel industry’: Why climate activists are targeting insurance firms

Extinction Rebellion is spearheading a week-long campaign in the UK targeting the global insurance industry, highlighting its crucial role in supporting fossil fuel projects. Reports reveal that US-based insurers have invested billions in fossil fuel companies, enabling their operations and exacerbating climate risks. Insurers, particularly those in the Lloyd's of London market, underwrite major fossil fuel projects, including those with significant carbon emissions potential, drawing criticism from activists who see them as pivotal to the fossil fuel industry's sustainability. Extinction Rebellion plans protests and actions to pressure insurance companies to stop insuring fossil fuel projects, emphasizing their potential to significantly impact climate action efforts. 

Their Profits, Our Loss

There is the stark disparity between the record-breaking profits of major oil and gas companies in 2023 and the devastating impacts of climate change felt by billions worldwide. It emphasizes the urgent need for these companies to take responsibility for the damage they cause and contribute to climate action, especially in developing countries disproportionately affected by their operations. The call is for governments to hold these polluters accountable through measures such as excess profits taxes and subsidies redirection while emphasizing the importance of global cooperation in addressing the climate crisis.

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