*[Enwl-eng] CAN EECCA Newsletter: Nuclear referendum in Kazakhstan, COP29 political maneuvers and climate impact on women
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Mon Jul 1 15:31:29 MSK 2024
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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
How Russia is using nuclear power to win
global influence
Rooppur in western Bangladesh has become a
hub for Russian culture due to the construction of the country's first
nuclear power plant by Rosatom, Russia’s state-owned nuclear giant. The
$12bn project aims to boost Bangladesh’s nuclear power generation from zero
to 10% within a decade, addressing the nation's power shortages and
promoting economic growth. However, beyond energy production, the project
solidifies long-term geopolitical ties between Bangladesh and Russia,
enhancing Moscow’s influence in the region amidst shifting global energy
dynamics.
Kyrgyz Villagers Escape Raging Mountain
Torrent
Floods and mudslides have killed at least
eight people in Kyrgyzstan, authorities say. RFE/RL filmed Kyrgyz rescuers
and troops evacuating people through a flooded canyon in the Nookat district
on June 29. The area is located in the country's southern Osh region, which
has been hit by heavy rainfall. According to the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry,
four of the casualties are children from neighboring Kazakhstan.
President Tokayev announces referendum on
issue of nuclear power plant
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced
that the people of Kazakhstan will decide on the construction of a nuclear
power plant (NPP) through a referendum this fall, with the exact date to be
determined by the cabinet. The Ministry of Energy and Samruk-Kazyna are
tasked with preparing for the referendum and informing the public about its
objectives. The president emphasized the necessity of a stable power supply
for economic growth and acknowledged safety concerns stemming from the
country's history, underlining the importance of public discussions and
hearings.
Azerbaijan: A COP29 makeover for Baku sparks
criticism
Preservationists are accusing Azerbaijani
government agencies of architectural vandalism as Baku prepares to host the
UN climate conference in November. Local architects criticize the use of
improper techniques and materials in city renovations, leading to paused
renovations and some treatments being washed off building facades.
Additionally, there are concerns over the loss of green spaces and political
maneuvers, including calls for snap elections to avoid conflicting with the
conference.
Problems of Medical Waste Disposal in
Uzbekistan
In Uzbekistan, the problem of medical waste
disposal is becoming increasingly acute due to the growing volume of medical
waste and insufficient infrastructure for safe treatment. Experts and
environmentalists note that outdated disposal methods, such as incineration
in muffle furnaces, do not meet modern standards and pose a threat to public
health and the environment. Since 2018, private companies have been engaged
in medical waste disposal, but there are still significant problems with
oversight and compliance with sanitary norms in the regions.
Will National Parks of Kazakhstan Cope With
Man-Caused Load?
Kovid has changed attitudes towards travel
within Kazakhstan, leading to an unprecedented influx of visitors to the
country's national parks and other tourist destinations, but also revealing
problems with litter, vandalism and fires. Despite the growth in domestic
tourism and increased tourist traffic from abroad, tourist pressure on
natural attractions has resulted in serious environmental damage.
Climate Change and Local Government in
Georgia: Assessment of Preparedness and Needs (georg)
The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness
of actions by local governments at central and municipal levels in
mitigating, adapting to, and building resilience against climate change. It
involves identifying local governments' responsibilities, assessing the
effectiveness of their climate crisis measures, evaluating their
institutional capacities, and identifying barriers to effective response.
Additionally, the study examines the role and accountability of local
governments in national climate policy planning.
Kazakhstan courting international investment
to curb methane emissions
Kazakhstan will present its program to
reduce methane emissions at the UN climate conference in Baku in November,
following its commitment to the Global Methane Pledge to cut emissions by at
least 30% by 2030. The plan includes measures across various industries,
with significant investment expected, including $1.4 billion by 2030 for the
oil and gas sector and additional funds for coalbed infrastructure and
methane management. Recent events, such as a major methane leak in the
Mangystau region, have underscored the urgency of these efforts
Young European Ambassadors in Armenia raise
awareness on environmental issues in Oshakan and Sevan
On 22 June, Young European Ambassadors
(YEAs) in Armenia organized a ‘Plogging & learning’ activity in Oshakan to
promote healthy lifestyles and environmental awareness among youth, in
cooperation with EuroClub Oshakan. Over 30 participants discussed EU
environmental policy and the EU Green Deal, and YEAs shared tips on how
Armenian youth can positively impact the environment. A similar event was
held on 15 June in Sevan, where YEAs educated local youth on Sevan’s
biodiversity and EU environmental policies during a hike.
Arctic wildfires tear through Russia’s Far
North releasing megatonnes of carbon
Hot and dry conditions in the Arctic have
fueled intense wildfires, particularly in Russia's Sakha Republic above the
Arctic Circle. These fires, exacerbated by climate change-induced warming,
have already emitted significant amounts of carbon into the atmosphere,
marking the third highest monthly emissions in the past two decades,
according to EU scientists. The escalating frequency of Arctic wildfires
underscores the region's vulnerability and serves as a critical indicator of
broader climate impacts globally, urging immediate action to mitigate future
risks.
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World Climate News
One of the world’s biggest fishing fleets
doesn’t want you to watch this film. Find out why
Jimi's experience as an Indonesian migrant
fisher on a foreign vessel reveals a stark reality of broken promises and
exploitation. Despite assurances of decent pay, time off, and regular
docking, he and his colleagues faced relentless work without breaks or
compensation. The documentary "Before You Eat," directed by Kasan Kurdi and
supported by SBMI and Greenpeace Indonesia, sheds light on the harsh
conditions and human rights abuses endured by Indonesian fishers supplying
global seafood markets. It underscores the profound sacrifices made by these
workers and the systemic injustices within the international fishing
industry, urging awareness and reform.
Could floating wind farms be a game changer
for renewable energy?
Countries are advancing technology to
harness wind power in deeper offshore waters, expanding beyond traditional
shallow depths. Floating wind technology, which involves turbines mounted on
buoyant structures anchored to the seabed, enables deployment in waters over
300 meters deep, compared to the limitations of fixed-bottom turbines in
depths exceeding 60 meters. This innovation is expected to open new markets
for wind energy, including in the Mediterranean region, and is projected to
achieve commercial viability by the end of the decade.
What Now? What's Next?
There has been a tumultuous week in North
American politics, marked by significant electoral shifts and a polarizing
presidential debate in the U.S. On Monday, Conservatives won a key seat in
Toronto, signaling potential challenges for Justin Trudeau's government.
Meanwhile, Joe Biden's uneven debate performance heightened anxieties about
political stability and its impact on climate and energy policies, evident
in market reactions affecting clean energy stocks. Despite leadership
complexities, both Trudeau and Biden are seen as pivotal figures in climate
action, even as challenges persist in achieving substantial environmental
progress amid political volatility.
UN action on gender and climate faces uphill
climb as warming hurts women
At the Bonn talks in June, little headway
was made on gender equality in climate action, despite evidence highlighting
women's disproportionate burdens from climate impacts. A study from the
Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research revealed that by 2050, women
globally could spend up to 30% more time collecting water due to
climate-induced changes, leading to increased physical strain and economic
losses. Despite efforts to integrate gender considerations into climate
policies, challenges persist, including slow progress in enhancing women's
participation in UN climate negotiations and addressing gender-specific
impacts of climate change.
IEA calls for next national climate plans to
target coal phase-down
The head of the International Energy Agency
(IEA) called on governments to include commitments in their upcoming climate
plans to halt the construction of new coal-fired power stations and to
accelerate the closure of existing ones. Speaking at a London event, Fatih
Birol emphasized the urgent need for nations to phase out unabated coal
power, highlighting challenges such as financial implications and the need
for just transitions for affected workers and communities. Despite some
progress, particularly in commitments from countries like Malaysia to reduce
coal reliance, challenges remain in Southeast Asia, where economic growth
and energy security concerns complicate the shift to renewable energy
sources.
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Sent: Monday, July 01, 2024 4:00 PM
Subject: CAN EECCA Newsletter: Nuclear referendum in Kazakhstan,
COP29 political maneuvers and climate impact on women
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