*[Enwl-eng] CAN EECCA Newsletter: Russia is burning, green energy in Moldova and opposing the nuclear power

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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








                                COP29 President’s Letter to Parties and 
Constituencies
                                As the host of COP29, we have been deeply 
engaged with all stakeholders and are committed to addressing climate change 
as the greatest transnational challenge of our time. The conference will 
focus on implementing the Paris Agreement, with a central goal of enhancing 
ambition and achieving equity while ensuring no one is left behind. We aim 
to conduct COP29 transparently and inclusively, integrating diverse 
perspectives to drive meaningful climate action and sustainable development.

                                Russian and South African Activists Visit 
Kenya Over Proposed Nuclear Power in Coast
                                Activists from Russia and South Africa have 
joined forces with their Kenyan counterparts to oppose the construction of a 
nuclear power plant in Kilifi, Kenya, citing concerns over safety, 
environmental impact, and lack of public participation. They argue that the 
nuclear industry, facing declining support in their own countries, is 
seeking new markets in Africa, which deserves a safer and more sustainable 
energy future. Kilifi residents have been protesting against the project, 
fearing marine system destruction and evictions, as the proposed plant 
requires 35 acres and a 1.6-kilometer exclusion zone.

                                Will Rise in Waste Removal Fee Improve 
Municipal Solid Waste Recycling in Kazakhstan?
                                In early 2024, KazWaste proposed to increase 
tariffs for municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal in Kazakhstan, which should 
encourage better recycling. Currently, only about a quarter of all MSW 
generated is recycled, despite a significant improvement from 2018 to 2023. 
Experts believe that raising tariffs alone is not enough, suggesting instead 
the introduction of differentiated tariffs and the development of separate 
collection infrastructure to encourage recycling and reduce waste.

                                Minister of energy: Moldova needs to focus 
on renewable energy and energy efficiency
                                Energy Minister Victor Parlicov emphasized 
Moldova's need to prioritize renewable energy and energy efficiency, 
highlighted by the recent installation of solar panels on the presidential 
administration building with $103,600 in funding from USAID. He outlined 
ambitious targets, including a goal to achieve 30% renewable energy by 2030 
and noted significant progress with increased solar panel installations. 
Parlicov also praised the unprecedented $300 million US aid for Moldova’s 
energy sector, which supports both infrastructure development and population 
compensation, helping Moldova integrate into the EU energy market ahead of 
its EU accession.

                                What is the real problem of air pollution in 
Uzbekistan?
                                Dust has become a convenient excuse for 
Uzbekistan's real air pollution problem, although tree felling and the 
construction boom also significantly degrade air quality. Despite a decrease 
in the frequency of dust storms in Tashkent from 1981 to 2021, high dust 
concentrations persist due to the arid climate and human activity. 
Addressing the problem requires rethinking construction practices, 
increasing humidity, and greater adoption of environmentally friendly 
technologies.

                                Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan taking 
steps toward fulfilling green energy export vision
                                Kazakhstan is working with Uzbekistan and 
Azerbaijan to develop electricity export capacity while addressing domestic 
power needs. The Kazakh Ministry of Energy has proposed a draft agreement 
emphasizing green energy cooperation, including renewable energy and energy 
efficiency, to ensure energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 
Despite favorable conditions for wind power and ambitious targets for 
increasing green energy production, Kazakhstan faces challenges in meeting 
both domestic and export demands, with potential plans for a nuclear power 
plant under consideration to help bridge the gap.

                                Russia is burning, Central Asia is drowning 
and drying up at the same time
                                In Russia's Krasnodar region, a fire 
destroyed a relic forest, including 600-year-old junipers, and led to the 
evacuation of more than 500 people. In Kazakhstan, investment in renewable 
energy has increased significantly, but the country is also suffering from 
drought, which worries livestock farmers. In Uzbekistan, despite 
environmental initiatives, pollution problems remain, and a new energy 
efficiency law plans to increase the share of renewable energy to 40% by 
2030.





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                                World Climate News








                                Is That All There Is? Ottawa Loses the 
Thread on Two Big Climate Promises
                                President Biden’s decision to end his 
re-election campaign has significant implications for U.S. climate policies, 
raising hopes that his administration's efforts will persist despite the 
shifting political landscape. Meanwhile, the Canadian government's recent 
climate-related announcements, including a Green Buildings Strategy and a 
Canada Public Transit Fund, have been criticized as inadequate and 
incremental rather than bold and transformative.

                                From Paris Agreement to PM?
                                As France navigates its recent political 
upheavals, there is speculation that Laurence Tubiana, a key figure in the 
creation of the Paris Agreement, might become the country's prime minister. 
Despite gaining support from most left-wing parties, Tubiana faces 
opposition from the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) due to concerns about her 
alignment with centrist President Macron. Meanwhile, Ursula von der Leyen, 
re-elected as European Commission president, has pledged to advance a "Clean 
Industrial Deal" but faces scrutiny over the specifics of her green policy 
agenda.

                                CLEW Masterclass: How to report on the 
construction sector’s hidden climate impact
                                Discussions about making buildings greener 
often overlook the climate and environmental impacts of construction, which 
contribute significantly to emissions throughout a building's lifecycle. 
CLEW aims to address this by highlighting realistic solutions for fully 
decarbonising the built environment, emphasizing the importance of reducing 
emissions, resource use, and waste in construction. The masterclass will 
share insights on these issues, the current state of EU legislation, and 
promising solutions, encouraging journalists to engage in dialogue and share 
their experiences.

                                EU “green” funds invest millions in 
expanding coal giants in China, India
                                EU-regulated "green" funds are investing in 
major coal companies that are expanding their operations, despite a 2021 UN 
agreement aimed at reducing coal use. European investors hold shares worth 
at least $65 million in these firms, which are among the world's top 
polluters, yet the funds are classified under EU rules promoting 
environmental and social goals. The situation has sparked criticism from 
European financial watchdogs, who argue that the current regulations may be 
misleading the public about the true sustainability of these investments.

                                Record prison sentences handed to climate 
protesters who planned to block UK motorway
                                The activists behind the 2022 M25 motorway 
shutdown have been handed severe prison sentences, totaling 21 years, with 
sentences ranging from four to five years. This protest, which caused 
significant traffic disruption and incurred high policing and economic 
costs, has led to the harshest penalties for a peaceful protest in England, 
according to the activist group Just Stop Oil. The judge criticized the 
protesters for crossing the line from campaigners to fanatics, dismissing 
their climate concerns as irrelevant to their legal case.









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      From: CAN EECCA
      Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 4:00 PM
      Subject: CAN EECCA Newsletter: Russia is burning, green energy in 
Moldova and opposing the nuclear power



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