*[Enwl-eng] 🌏CAN EECCA Newsletter: New record of world turbine, Landmark climate lawsuit and the G20 highlights
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Thu Sep 14 01:23:53 MSK 2023
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Climate Action Network
Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia
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Regional Climate News
What is the current situation in Guria - latest news from the disaster zone
Heavy rains in the Guria region have triggered landslides and flooding, resulting in three fatalities. The natural disasters have caused significant damage to the region's infrastructure, impacting houses, bridges, and roads connecting villages. Authorities are urging residents in the affected area to stay put and follow instructions from emergency personnel on the ground, with over 100 reports received by the Emergency Management Service.
Eco-activists file a climate lawsuit against Russia at the ECHR
In September 2023, the first climate lawsuit from Russia was filed with the ECHR (European Court of Human Rights) after the Russian Supreme Court refused to hear it a year ago. The plaintiffs are demanding a review of plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, insisting on more stringent targets in line with recommendations from environmental experts. Lawyers hope that the ECHR's ruling in the case will carry significant implications for climate policy, not only in Europe but also globally, despite Russia's strained relations with international institutions.
The Georgian Road to Russia: when everything goes south
The North-South Corridor, a road project financed by international institutions to facilitate transportation of goods between Russia, Iran, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, runs through Georgia, impacting cultural heritage and raising questions among Georgian taxpayers. The project has led to concerns regarding the destruction of cultural heritage sites and environmental issues, with inadequate impact assessments and consultation processes. Furthermore, the project's necessity is questioned due to Georgia's strained relations with Russia, and concerns about it serving as a route for prohibited goods to reach Russia from Armenia, Turkey, and Iran.
Transition to “green economy” in Uzbekistan: Opportunities and challenges
Uzbekistan has adopted a program for transitioning to a green economy and green growth until 2030, with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The program aims to increase the share of renewable energy sources to about 30% of the country's total electricity generation by 2030. However, the region faces water scarcity issues, and the reduction of water resources in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers could have significant social and economic consequences for Uzbekistan. Additionally, while renewable energy sources are seen as environmentally friendly, their stability and dependence on various factors raise concerns about their long-term sustainability and potential waste issues.
Kazakhstan: Farmers plead for president’s help in overcoming grain harvest woes
Kazakh farmers are seeking urgent assistance from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev after a difficult summer marked by intense heat severely reducing the grain crop. In addition to the scorching conditions, prolonged rains in northern regions are causing early-ripening wheat to spoil, making it challenging to harvest effectively. The farmers have appealed for loan repayment deferment, government support with fixed grain purchase prices above market rates, and protectionist measures, including a ban on the importation of cheap agricultural products from Russia, to mitigate potential bankruptcy. Despite these challenges, Kazakhstan is still exploring new grain export opportunities, such as to China, but faces ongoing competition from cheap Russian grain imports.
The Ministry of Energy has changed its mind about banning Kara-Kechi coal in Bishkek
The Kyrgyz Energy Minister, Taalaibek Ibraev, announced the delivery of Kara-Kechi coal to Bishkek for sale, arguing that local coal needs cannot be met by imports from Kazakhstan alone. He also emphasized that stocks of Kara-Kechi coal in the Balykchy warehouse are ready for delivery to Bishkek and the Chui region. Earlier, there was a discussion of banning Kara-Kechi coal as part of the fight against smog, but this proposal drew criticism and raised concerns about a potential increase in the cost of coal for consumers.
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World Climate News
Summer 2023: the hottest on record
The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has released its monthly climate bulletin, showcasing global surface air temperature, sea ice cover, and hydrological changes. The report highlights the boreal summer of 2023, which was the warmest on record globally, with an average temperature of 16.77°C, 0.66°C above average. Additionally, the summer of 2023 witnessed record-breaking high sea surface temperature anomalies in the North Atlantic and globally, along with marine heatwaves in various European areas and above-average precipitation in parts of Europe, Türkiye, North America, Asia, Chile, Brazil, and northwestern Australia, while other regions experienced drier conditions leading to wildfires.
G20 leaders strike renewables deal, stall on fossil fuels
G20 leaders have agreed to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030, a vital step in limiting global warming. However, they failed to commit to phasing out fossil fuels, a significant setback for climate goals. The agreement also includes support for controversial carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies. The focus now shifts to the Dubai Cop28 summit for further fossil fuel discussions. Additionally, G20 leaders called for a major increase in climate finance, aiming to move from billions to trillions of dollars globally, partly through multilateral development bank reforms freeing up $200 billion over the next decade.
World record: Wind turbine generates enough energy in a day to power 170,000 homes
The world's largest wind turbine, the Goldwind GWH252-16MW, set a new record for single-day power generation by producing 384.1 megawatt hours (MWh) in 24 hours off the coast of Fujian Province, China, during a typhoon on September 1st. This massive turbine, with a 252-meter diameter, can power approximately 170,000 homes, 38 million LEDs, or cover 2.2 million kilometers driven in an electric car. It surpasses the previous record of 364 MWh set in Denmark in August and showcases China's leadership in wind power, with the country accounting for a significant portion of global offshore wind capacity and planning to build the world's largest wind farm, although concerns about its coal projects and distant net-zero target remain.
Champions of clean air: People power in the fight against air pollution
The Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) highlights that air pollution is the most significant global threat to human health, with the World Health Organization's 2021 guidelines revealing that 99% of the world's population is breathing unhealthy air. Despite the well-documented health risks, many governments and companies contributing to air pollution are failing to take sufficient action. As a result, a global movement advocating for clean air and local solutions, such as air quality monitoring, sustainable public transportation, and cleaner energy sources, is gaining momentum, with champions emerging to inspire and empower communities in the fight against air pollution.
On the path to international recognition of ecocide
Environmental NGOs and activists are pushing for the inclusion of "ecocide" as a recognized crime within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in response to the environmental destruction resulting from conflicts like Russia's invasion of Ukraine. While the Rome Statute currently governs the ICC's activities and includes crimes like genocide and crimes against humanity, it does not specifically address ecocide. Proposed definitions of ecocide focus on intentional acts leading to severe and widespread environmental damage, potentially holding corporations accountable for large-scale environmental harm, and various countries have already recognized ecocide at the national level. Efforts to include ecocide as a recognized international crime have been ongoing since the 1970s and gained momentum in recent years, with support from organizations, governments, and legal experts.
3.9 Magnitude aftershock rattles Morocco amid ancient city rescues
Morocco was hit by a magnitude 3.9 aftershock following the country's deadliest earthquake in over a century, with more than 2,000 people confirmed dead and the toll expected to rise. The United Nations estimated that 300,000 people were affected by the magnitude 6.8 quake, and international aid crews were ready to deploy but awaited the Moroccan government's request for assistance. Many people left homeless or fearing aftershocks slept outside in the streets or makeshift canopies in the affected areas, which are challenging to reach due to the mountainous terrain.
African leaders seek global taxes for climate change at Nairobi summit
African political and business leaders have adopted the Nairobi Declaration, aiming to address climate challenges in Africa. The declaration, proposed at a major climate summit in Nairobi, Kenya, calls for new global taxes and reforms to international financial institutions to support climate change initiatives. The summit focused on financing strategies for dealing with extreme weather events, conserving natural resources, and developing renewable energy in Africa, emphasizing the continent's potential to become a renewable energy superpower and highlighting the urgent need for rich nations to fulfill their climate pledges to support vulnerable countries like those in Africa.
Global Stocktake highlights urgent need for climate action
The Global Stocktake, described as a "first official report card" on the Paris Climate Agreement, has revealed that despite some progress, the world is not on track to meet the long-term goals of the agreement. The report calls for a "radical decarbonization of all sectors of the economy" and emphasizes the need for deep and rapid shifts in industry, transport, buildings, and other sectors to reduce emissions and limit global warming. It also highlights the importance of involving whole societies, not just national governments, in the transition to a low-carbon future.
Dutch police detain 500 activists on second day of climate protests
Dutch police reported that over 500 climate activists were arrested on the second consecutive day of protests against government subsidies for the fossil fuel industry. Demonstrators marched on the A12 highway leading to The Hague, ignoring warnings not to block the major traffic artery. The previous day, approximately 2,400 protesters were detained as around 10,000 activists blocked the same highway for several hours in a similar demonstration.
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Subject: 🌏CAN EECCA Newsletter: New record of world turbine, Landmark climate lawsuit and the G20 highlights
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