*[Enwl-eng] CAN EECCA Newsletter: Broken COP28 Promises, Opposition to Nuclear Energy, and Opportunities for Journalists and Activists
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Tue Aug 20 17:42:37 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
"This is not a public discussion, but a
promotion of the nuclear power plant!" Public discussions in Almaty,
Kazakhstan (RU)
Almaty hosted public discussions on the
construction of Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant. The event sparked
controversy as many opponents accused it of being propaganda for the nuclear
plant and demanded equal access to voice their concerns. Participants raised
critical questions about the plant's safety, the choice of technology, and
the development of alternative energy sources, while also discussing the
potential risks and long-term consequences of the project.
New incentives for green energy producers in
Moldova (RU)
New incentives for green energy producers
have been approved in Moldova, which include simplifying the process of
installing and using renewable energy sources. Amendments to the Law on the
Development of Renewable Energy Sources will allow producers to sell surplus
energy at market prices without taxing the income. These and other measures
aim to reduce bureaucratic barriers for producers and will support the
country's green transition.
Renewable energy sources provided 93.6% of
Kalmykia's energy consumption in the first half of 2024 (RU)
In the first six months of 2024, renewable
energy sources provided 93.6% of Kalmykia's energy consumption, amounting to
around 422 million kWh. The region operates three wind farms and three solar
power plants, which have significantly reduced the republic's energy
dependence on other regions. The renewable energy development program also
contributes to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions, preventing the
release of over 400,000 tons annually.
Azerbaijan establishes new specializations
for training in renewable energy
Azerbaijan is introducing new
specializations for training in the field of renewable energy. The Director
of the State Agency for Vocational Education of Azerbaijan announced that
vocational schools across the country will train students in the
installation and repair of solar panels, as well as the operation of
alternative energy equipment. As part of this training, they plan to closely
collaborate with energy companies and construct new educational institutions
with programs focused on green energy.
Without water and other basic necessities:
the life of environmental migrants in Tajikistan
Environmental migrants in Tajikistan,
relocated by the government from areas vulnerable to natural disasters, face
harsh living conditions after resettlement. The new locations lack essential
services such as drinking water, electricity, schools, and hospitals, while
the land plots and small loans provided by the authorities fail to solve
their basic problems. To survive, the migrants are forced to engage in
agriculture on unfavorable land or seek work abroad.
Floods, roads and changes in Armenia. How
nature taught rural residents to care for the environment
Heavy rains and floods in Yeghegnut village
have destroyed newly renovated roads, highlighting the region's
vulnerability to climate change. Local NGO leader Aramayis Hakobyan
emphasized the negative impact of these weather anomalies on agriculture and
beekeeping, attributing the challenges to climate change, as reported by
Ecolur, a member of CAN EECCA in Armenia. In response, the community is
working on restoring ecological balance through the establishment of
eco-corridors and sustainable natural resource management, supported by
international projects.
Kyrgyzstan lost over 16 per cent of glaciers
in the last 50 years: drought risk gets real to the whole region
Kyrgyzstan has lost over 16% of its glaciers
in the last 50 years due to climate change, significantly increasing the
risk of droughts in the entire Central Asian region. The number of glaciers
has risen, not due to new formations, but because larger glaciers are
melting and breaking into smaller ones, leading to a 16% reduction in total
glaciation area. By 2050, the area of glaciers in Kyrgyzstan could be
halved, with the potential for total disappearance by 2100, posing severe
threats to water availability, food security, and regional stability.
“Miseries of the Balkhash”: Fears for
Kazakhstan's special lake
Lake Balkhash in Kazakhstan, known as the
"pearl of Kazakhstan," is facing severe threats from pollution, climate
change, and overuse, with its water levels dangerously close to a critical
threshold. The lake, which is the largest fishery in the country, has seen a
significant decline in fish populations and is suffering from the negative
effects of China's overuse of the Ili River, which feeds into the lake.
Local industries, such as the Kazakhmys copper plant, also contribute to
heavy pollution, further endangering the lake's ecosystem and the health of
nearby residents.
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World Climate News
The world is failing to meet the commitments
made at last year's climate summit (RU)
According to a report by the Ember think
tank, the world is not meeting the commitments made at COP28 to triple
renewable energy production by 2030. The study found that in the next six
years, wind energy production will double rather than triple as promised.
Countries like the United States and India are significantly lagging behind
their national targets, while Brazil and Finland have already exceeded their
targets.
Activists protest against Russian uranium
supplies to Germany (RU)
Eco-activists held a protest at a nuclear
fuel plant owned by the French company Framatome in Lingen, Germany. The
protest was triggered by the arrival of a Russian ship carrying radioactive
materials in the port of Rotterdam. Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, the
plant continues to cooperate with Rosatom, drawing criticism from
environmental organizations. The protesters, including representatives from
Ecodefense, a member of CAN EECCA from Russia, are demanding an end to all
nuclear deals with Russia and are calling on the German federal government
to intervene.
These cities will be too hot for the
Olympics by 2050
A CNN analysis reveals that many of the
world's cities will become too hot to host the Summer Olympics by 2050 due
to rising global temperatures, with extreme heat posing significant health
risks to athletes and spectators. Cities in the eastern United States, much
of China, and Southeast Asia are expected to surpass safe heat thresholds,
making them unsuitable for the Games. Experts suggest rescheduling the
Olympics to cooler seasons or higher elevations as potential solutions, but
even some past host cities, like Beijing and Tokyo, may become too hot to
host the event safely in the future.
"For the Summit of the Future to be worthy
of its name it must address the threat of fossil fuels"— Letter from global
leaders and Nobel laureates
Former government leaders and Nobel
laureates have issued a letter expressing deep concern that the upcoming
United Nations "Summit of the Future" this September is failing to address
the critical threat of fossil fuels. They argue that fossil fuel extraction
and burning are the primary drivers of the climate crisis, undermining
global efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and threatening
lives worldwide. The letter calls for robust international cooperation to
commit to a rapid and equitable transition away from fossil fuels,
emphasizing that the success of the summit hinges on addressing this urgent
issue.
The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution
on sustainable forest management initiated by Uzbekistan (RU)
On August 13, 2024, the United Nations
General Assembly adopted a resolution initiated by Uzbekistan aimed at
promoting sustainable forest management and highlighting its economic,
social, and environmental benefits. The resolution calls for international
cooperation to support reforestation projects on degraded lands, especially
in developing countries. Uzbekistan is implementing national reforestation
projects, including a large-scale afforestation program on the dried-up Aral
Sea bed and the "Yashil Makon" initiative, which aims to plant one billion
trees over five years.
Third meeting of the COP29 NGO Coalition
On August 15, 2024, the third hybrid meeting
of the COP29 NGO Coalition—a coalition of civil society organizations
preparing for the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework
Convention on Climate Change—took place. According to the initiators, the
National NGO Forum of Azerbaijan, the coalition comprises 170 civil society
organizations from 43 countries. Participants discussed the expansion of
civil society participation in COP29 and, in particular, the development of
the coalition's action plan.
Solar energy breakthrough could reduce need
for solar farms
Scientists at Oxford University have
developed a groundbreaking light-absorbing material that can be applied to
everyday objects like cars and mobile phones, potentially reducing the need
for traditional silicon-based solar panels and large solar farms. This
ultra-thin, flexible material, which uses a multi-junction approach to
capture a broader spectrum of sunlight, has achieved over 27% energy
efficiency, comparable to current silicon photovoltaics. The innovation
promises to lower the cost of solar energy further and expand its
application across various industries.
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Opportunities
Climate Catalysts Mentorship Programme
This initiative is designed to empower young
people in climate action. Through interactive courses, workshops, and
bootcamps, participants will develop technical and soft skills to enhance
their climate projects, including storytelling, community building, and
policy development. The program also offers networking opportunities through
thematic channels and practical guidance on scaling project impact and
securing funding.
True Blue Fellowship
This programme offers mentorship, capacity
building, and up to $2,500 in funding for 10 youth-led projects that use
creative arts to address ocean, waterways, and climate change issues in
local communities. Open to young people aged 13-24 worldwide, the Fellowship
supports new or emerging projects that co-create with local communities and
have a tangible environmental impact. Applications are due on September 1st,
and participants, whether selected or not, will gain access to valuable
resources for grant writing, project management, and fundraising.
Call for Project Proposals from the GGF
Small Grants Program in Central Asia (RU)
The Global Greengrants Fund Small Grants
Program has announced a call for project proposals from public environmental
organizations and initiative groups in Central Asia, focusing on projects
aimed at environmental justice, climate change adaptation, biodiversity
conservation, and other environmental initiatives. There are three types of
grants available: for in-country projects, regional projects, and travel
grants. Applications to participate in COP29 in Baku will be accepted until
September 15, with the general application period open until October 1,
2024.
Grants for local cross-border investigative
journalist teams
The EU-supported Local Cross-Border
Investigative Journalism Programme is offering grants for investigative
teams of journalists and news outlets from at least two different European
countries. Grants, ranging from €2,000 to over €10,000, will support
cross-border investigations on topics like housing, waste, tourism, and
mobility. The application deadline is September 26, 2024, with a subsequent
deadline on November 7, 2024.
Workshop on Climate and Environmental
Storytelling in Kazakhstan
The UNEP's CAMCA project in Central Asia is
organizing a communication workshop to enhance the skills of Kazakhstani
journalists in effectively reporting on climate change and its impact on
biodiversity. The workshop will include field visits to project areas such
as the Ile-Balkhash State Natural Resources Reserve, where participants will
learn to develop scientifically accurate stories for publication in local,
regional, and international media. Applications are open to journalists
based in Kazakhstan with at least 1-2 years of experience, and the deadline
for submission is August 22, 2024.
Grants from the Earth Investigative
Programme
This Programme offers grants for
cross-border teams of professional journalists and news outlets to
investigate environmental issues related to Europe. The program aims to
document illegal, unreported, and unregulated environmental abuses that
cross national borders, with stories required to be published in at least
two different countries, one of which must be in Europe. The grant covers
expenses such as logistics and legal support, with €400,000 available per
call, and the next application deadline is October 24, 2024.
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Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2024 4:00 PM
Subject: CAN EECCA Newsletter: Broken COP28 Promises, Opposition to
Nuclear Energy, and Opportunities for Journalists and Activists
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