*[Enwl-eng] 🌏CAN EECCA Newsletter: Russia opposes phase-out of fossil fuels, China’s presence in power sector in CA and first air plastic pollution.
enwl
enwl at enw.net.ru
Tue Oct 10 22:24:42 MSK 2023
CAN EECCA ENGLISH DIGEST
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Climate Action Network
Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia
Digest of news on climate change, energy
issues
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Regional Climate News
Russia says it will oppose plan to phase out
fossil fuels
Russia has signaled its opposition to a
global agreement aimed at reducing the use of fossil fuels, a move that
could disrupt this year's UN climate summit amid tensions with Western
nations following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The US and EU member states,
along with numerous other countries, are calling for a timeline to phase out
the use of fossil fuels that aren't equipped with emissions capture and
storage technologies ahead of the COP28 climate summit in November. In
contrast, Russia opposes provisions or outcomes that would target specific
energy sources or fossil fuel types, highlighting potential resistance from
major oil, gas, and coal producers to a new climate pact.
China To Stay Long in Power Sector of
Kazakhstan
Chinese investors have poured over $25
billion into Kazakhstan's power sector over the past 17 years, showing
strong interest in both traditional energy and renewables. This investment
is strategically important for China as it seeks to establish efficient
overland transport corridors to Europe amid heightened global tensions.
Additionally, China's investments extend beyond energy, encompassing sectors
like chemicals and nuclear, solidifying the economic ties between the two
nations.
Growing Integration of China into Power
Sector of Kyrgyzstan: Opportunities and Risks
China is increasing its presence in the
power sector of Central Asia, particularly in countries like Kyrgyzstan.
Despite Kyrgyzstan's significant debt to China in the energy sector, the
country continues to seek Chinese investment for its power projects. China
is particularly interested in Kyrgyzstan's energy sector due to its
potential for government-backed loans and investment opportunities, with a
focus on energy facilities that can receive funding against government
guarantees.
Water monitoring equipment to analyse river
pollution in Ukraine
The UNDP in Ukraine has donated modern
equipment to enhance water monitoring and environmental assessment in
several river basins across multiple oblasts. Funded by the European Union
as part of the 'EU4Recovery: Empowering Communities in Ukraine' project, the
equipment includes portable photometers, underwater drones, and an
underwater metal detector. These tools will enable more thorough analysis of
river pollution, comprehensive surveys of water areas, detection of hidden
pollution sources, and identification of potential threats in riverbeds,
contributing to the safety and ecological health of water sources in the
region.
How Gold Mining Is Destroying Eastern
Siberia
The Krasnoyarsk region in Russia, which
produces about a fifth of the country's gold reserves, is witnessing
environmental damage and tragedies due to gold mining. Large mining
companies use powerful equipment to extract gold from rivers, causing
pollution and deforestation, while small villages and their residents bear
the brunt of the environmental impact. The situation highlights the
devastating consequences of gold mining on local communities and the
environment in the pursuit of valuable resources.
Green Mirage or Oasis: Navigating the
Complex Path to Decarbonisation in Central Asia
As Central Asia grapples with the
omnipresent spectre of climate change, the region finds itself at a
crossroads of energy transition. The voyage towards decarbonisation is
fraught with challenges, particularly with the precarious task of ensuring a
‘just transition’. Yet, amid these trials, lies the tantalising prospect of
harnessing the region’s abundant renewable resources, and transforming
energy infrastructures, bringing the nations closer to a sustainable future.
To better understand these complexities, we turn to Dr Aliya Tskhay, a
recognised expert in the field, who offers her incisive perspective on the
subject.
Join the green webinars in Belarus
In October 2023, Belarus will host a series
of webinars aimed at those interested in climate change and environmental
protection. The webinars will cover various aspects such as the security
implications of climate change, youth participation in international climate
negotiations, technologies to address climate challenges and others.
Participation is open to all and certificates will be provided to
participants for attending three or more webinars.
Moldova is changing the rules of the game
for solar panels: deteriorating benefits and availability of renewable
energy
The Moldovan Ministry of Energy has drafted
a bill that will change the mechanism of compensation for the use of solar
panels and other renewable energy sources. Under the new rules, users will
sell the excess electricity flow at a lower price, making this energy less
profitable. The decision has raised concerns among experts who believe it
will make renewable energy less affordable for most citizens.
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World Climate News
Net Zero Roadmap: A Global Pathway to Keep
the 1.5 °C Goal in Reach
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has
released an updated roadmap for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, taking
into account developments that have occurred since its landmark report in
May 2021. While energy sector carbon dioxide emissions have continued to
rise, the update also highlights remarkable progress in developing and
deploying clean energy technologies over the last two years. This report
aims to provide an updated and feasible pathway to help meet the goals of
the Paris Agreement and address the challenges posed by the global energy
crisis and rising emissions.
‘Plastic air pollution’: Microplastics in
clouds could be exacerbating climate change, study says
Microplastics have been discovered in
clouds, raising concerns about their contribution to climate change,
according to a study published in the journal Environmental Chemical
Letters. Researchers found various types of polymers and rubber in cloud
water around Mount Fuji and Mount Ōyama in Japan. The presence of
microplastics in clouds may influence cloud formation and potentially modify
the climate, the study suggests, and highlights the need to address the
issue of "plastic air pollution" to prevent irreversible and serious
environmental damage.
Why extreme weather warnings are needed more
than ever
Effective early warning systems are crucial
in saving lives during extreme weather events, with significant improvements
in these systems leading to a drop in weather-related deaths since 1970,
according to the World Meteorological Organization. As extreme weather
events become more frequent and intense, countries are updating their
warning systems. The technology behind these warnings is relatively simple,
using mobile networks to send alerts to people in affected areas, but the
key challenge is ensuring that warnings are received and acted upon
promptly, as demonstrated by the deadly floods in Germany and Belgium in
2021, which were partially attributed to a lack of effective emergency
communication.
Turkey Calls for Closure of Armenian Plant
Amidst New Nuclear Project
Turkey is pushing for the closure of
Armenia's nuclear power plant while constructing its own massive nuclear
facility, Akkuyu, with Russian-built reactors. Greenpeace and other
activists have raised concerns about Turkey's lack of nuclear legislation,
inadequate seismic assessments, and the transportation of radioactive waste
through Istanbul and the Bosphorus. Critics also highlight the financial
risks, as Russia owns Akkuyu, and Turkey is taking on substantial
liabilities while Russia profits from the project.
UK universities accepted millions from
fossil fuel giants
Despite their pledges to address the climate
crisis, several major UK universities, including Exeter, Imperial College
London, and Cambridge, have accepted over €47 million (£41 million) in
funding from fossil fuel companies like Shell and ExxonMobil in the past
year, according to DeSmog's investigation. This funding has been allocated
for research agreements, scholarships, and tuition fees, raising concerns
about the universities' commitment to divestment and their environmental
goals. Previous research also found that some of these institutions hold
direct investments in oil and gas companies, further highlighting
contradictions in their environmental stance.
Does nature really end where cities begin?
Urban October, starting on UN World Habitat
Day, is dedicated to sustainable urbanization and the essential role of
cities, now home to over half the global population, in preserving nature
and biodiversity. Despite the apparent contrast between urban living and
nature, this article argues that nature is an integral part of cities, from
the air we breathe to the green spaces and communities within. Greenpeace's
Urban Justice campaign, highlighting stories like that of Flor Alba García,
a waste picker in Bogota, and Cecep Supriyadi, a Jakarta resident advocating
for housing and clean air, underscores the importance of inclusive,
resilient, and green cities where marginalized voices are heard and cities
harmonize with nature.
Adaptation to climate change will be an
absolute nightmare
Standard climate scenarios are not
accurately reflecting the potential of renewable energy technologies and are
overestimating the cost of achieving net-zero emissions, according to a
study by the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate
Change (MCC). The research argues that these scenarios fail to consider the
significant price reductions in solar and energy storage technologies over
the past decade, making the transition to net-zero emissions more feasible
than current models suggest. The study also highlights the underestimation
of the growth rate for solar technologies in Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) scenarios, emphasizing the need for climate models to
better incorporate technological progress.
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Subject: 🌏CAN EECCA Newsletter: Russia opposes phase-out of fossil
fuels, China’s presence in power sector in CA and first air plastic
pollution.
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