*[Enwl-eng] CAN EECCA Newsletter: Kazakhstan drowning, return of uranium to Kyrgyzstan and a threat beyond CO2
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Mon Apr 8 16:58:26 MSK 2024
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Climate Action Network
Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia
Digest of news on climate change, energy
issues
www.caneecca.org
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Regional Climate News
Join the new communEECCAtors network
CAN EECCA and n-ost are inviting you to join
the new communEECCAtors network. It is a professional network for climate
journalists and communicators from Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central
Asia. We invite specialists who work in or write about EECCA region. To join
the network, please, fill out the application form.
Massive Flooding Inundates Kazakhstan,
Forcing Thousands From Homes
Floods in the regions of Kazakhstan are
caused by sudden snow melting and river overflows, forcing thousands of
people to evacuate to safe places. At the same time, questions arise about
the effective use of melt water to solve the problem of drought in summer,
but there is still no unanimity in the opinions of water experts regarding
the construction of reservoirs and their potential effectiveness. Experts
offer different approaches, some see reservoirs as a salvation from floods
and a resource for irrigation, while others believe that it is necessary to
focus on modernization of existing facilities, fearing corruption schemes in
the construction of new facilities.
Forest Ecosystems Restoration in GBAO
Forest lands in Tajikistan's
Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast are being revitalized, with the active
participation of local residents playing a key role in this bottom-up
approach. After the energy crisis and forest degradation in the 1990s, joint
forest management initiatives have led to the restoration of more than 2,500
hectares of forest land. As a result, local residents have received economic
incentives from forest plots, which has increased their motivation to
conserve and sustainably utilize forest resources.
Unexplained spill fuels concern about Afghan
canal project
Water spillage from unspecified causes
during the construction of a canal in northern Afghanistan has raised fears
in Central Asian countries. The Taliban are actively pursuing the Kosh-Tepa
project, assuming it will help with the food problem, but neighbors see it
as a threat to the environment. Satellite images show water leaking from the
canal, raising questions about the quality of construction and possible
consequences for regional ecology and water use.
Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan
presented in Moldova
The Integrated National Energy and Climate
Plan (INECP) for Moldova was unveiled on April 1st in Chisinau during a
public debate held as part of the national Moldenergy exhibition. Developed
with assistance from the EU-funded and UNDP-implemented program ‘Addressing
the Impact of the Energy Crisis in Moldova,’ the Plan outlines Moldova's
commitment to achieving energy security and climate change mitigation goals.
It sets ambitious targets, including a 27% share of renewable energy in
final energy consumption by 2030 and a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
by 68.6% compared to 1990 levels, with measures focusing on energy security,
market efficiency, decarbonization, and environmental restoration.
“Return of Uranium” to Kyrgyzstan:
Environmental Threat or Course for Economy?
Kyrgyzstan plans to lift the moratorium on
uranium and thorium mining introduced in 2019 after protests around the
Kyzyl-Ompol deposit. The Ministry of Natural Resources initiated the bill,
arguing that it is necessary to diversify income sources, although uranium
mining can have a negative impact on the environment and health. In turn,
experts warn of potential dangers to the biosphere and urge the authorities
to focus on developing more environmentally friendly industries such as
tourism and renewable energy.
Uzbekistan: Once a gas exporter, now an
importer
Uzbekistan faces economic challenges due to
a decline in natural gas exports, notably to China, leading to a significant
decrease in revenue from January to February 2024. While Uzbekistan reported
lower earnings, China's data showed higher export totals, raising questions
about the accuracy of revenue figures. With gas exports historically
contributing to state revenue, Uzbekistan's shift from exporter to importer
underscores its growing energy dependency and financial strain.
Kazakhstan: Can a black spot on the Caspian
Sea be called an oil spill?
Russian researchers have reported a
substantial oil spill in Kazakhstan's Kashagan oil field, while the
operator, NCOC, denies any occurrence of such an incident. The researchers,
part of the Transparent World of the Caspian Sea project, attribute the
spill to a potential production mishap or accidental discharge from oil
platforms, though NCOC insists it's a "natural phenomenon." Government
officials are cautious, with the Energy Minister stating that the spill is
"preliminarily not confirmed," pending analysis of water samples. Despite
past environmental violations by NCOC, including a recent fine for
regulatory breaches, the company maintains its adherence to environmental
standards amidst ongoing scrutiny.
Zero Waste Day in Tbilisi
Hundreds gathered in Tbilisi's Mziuri Park
on March 30 to celebrate International Zero Waste Day, organized by the
Caucasus Environmental NGOs Network (CENN). The event featured interactive
activities promoting sustainable practices, including games, quizzes, and a
business fair showcasing eco-friendly initiatives by Georgian companies.
Participants also engaged in clothes and book exchanges and utilized
recycling and separation stations, highlighting the importance of waste
management and public involvement.
Chinese investors to produce wolfram in the
Almaty region
Zhetysu Wolfram, with co-ownership by
Chinese Jiaxing International Resources Investment Ltd., is set to produce
wolfram ore in Kazakhstan's Bugytinskoye field in the Almaty region, as
announced by the Ministry of Industry and Construction. Construction of an
enrichment facility is underway, with mining operations already in progress;
upon completion by late 2024, the project is expected to generate around
1,000 new jobs. The company plans to produce 3.3 million tons of wolfram ore
annually, with future aims to enhance processing capabilities for the
production of high-grade tungsten carbide, as part of a long-term industrial
production initiative that began in 2015 and is slated to continue until
2040.
The Effects of the Crisis in Afghanistan on
Central Asia’s Energy Sector: A Risk Assessment
The OSCE Risk Assessment, "The Effects of
the Crisis in Afghanistan on Central Asia’s Energy Sector," presents a
comprehensive analysis of the implications of Afghanistan’s regime change
for energy stakeholders in Central Asia and regional energy co-operation. It
highlights key developments in Afghanistan's energy landscape since 2021,
identifies ongoing and emergent risks for energy trade with Central Asia,
and analyzes the prospects of key regional infrastructure projects such as
TUTAP, TAP, CASA-1000, and TAPI. Hence, the study offers recommendations to
practitioners from OSCE participating States on enhancing regional energy
security and the well-being of the people in Central Asia and Afghanistan in
the foreseeable future.
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World Climate News
Can A Bank Change?
The New York City comptroller's office
pressured major financial institutions, including Royal Bank of Canada
(RBC), into disclosing their investments in fossil fuel projects relative to
clean energy, leading to RBC's agreement to disclose the metric known as the
Energy Supply Ratio. This move came just before RBC's annual meeting,
potentially averting a shareholder vote that could have forced the issue,
but experts caution that disclosure alone is not enough to address the
urgent need to shift investments away from fossil fuels. While RBC's
commitments represent progress, the effectiveness of their actions and the
details of their methodology will be crucial in determining their impact on
combating the climate crisis.
What is SF6? Study raises concerns about gas
that is 24,000x more powerful than CO2
A new study reveals that China's escalating
electricity demands have led to a substantial rise in emissions of sulphur
hexafluoride (SF6), a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential
24,300 times greater than carbon dioxide. SF6 emissions from China doubled
between 2011 and 2021, comprising 57% of global emissions by the latter
year, offsetting reductions elsewhere and underscoring the urgent need for
mitigation efforts. While Europe has made progress in reducing SF6
emissions, particularly through tighter regulations, the rapid growth of
power demand in developing nations like China highlights the necessity for
immediate action to minimize SF6 leakage and transition to alternative
technologies.
Mexico's likely next president is a climate
scientist, but she’s still backing fossil fuels
The leading presidential candidate in
Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, has not made climate change a central part of her
campaign for the upcoming June 2 election, despite facing severe climate
threats such as rising sea levels, ferocious storms, drought, and water
shortages across the country. Sheinbaum's alignment with President Andrés
Manuel López Obrador's fossil fuel-centric energy policies has contributed
to her silence on climate issues, raising concerns about the future
environmental priorities of Mexico's next leader. As the election
approaches, the worsening water crisis and growing impacts of climate change
are forcing presidential candidates to confront Mexico's urgent climate
challenges and determine their strategies for addressing them.
What is happening in the courts is going to
change our lives!
In 2024, crucial climate justice cases are
set to be decided in international courts, marking a significant moment in
the global fight against the climate crisis. Landmark cases, such as
Klimaseniorinnen v Switzerland and Portuguese Youth vs 32 European States,
highlight the growing demand for legally binding action to address the
destructive impacts of climate change on health, biodiversity, and human
rights. These cases not only seek to hold governments accountable but also
aim to establish legal precedents that compel nations to take urgent and
effective measures to mitigate the climate crisis and safeguard human rights
for present and future generations.
100 years of TotalEnergies – a dark legacy
TotalEnergies, the French oil and gas giant,
faced a setback in its legal battle against Greenpeace France on its 100th
anniversary, highlighting the struggle for freedom of expression against
polluting companies amidst a worsening climate crisis. Despite its facade as
an "industrial flagship," Total's history reveals environmental devastation,
human rights abuses, and a strategy of misinformation dating back to the
1970s. From supporting brutal regimes to causing environmental disasters,
Total's expansion of fossil fuel operations underscores the urgent need to
hold the industry accountable and transition away from dirty fuels to
protect both humans and the planet.
© Copyright, CANEECCA
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Sent: Monday, April 08, 2024 4:00 PM
Subject: CAN EECCA Newsletter: Kazakhstan drowning, return of
uranium to Kyrgyzstan and a threat beyond CO2
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