From enwl at enw.net.ru Sun Jun 2 13:25:27 2024 From: enwl at enw.net.ru (ENWL) Date: Sun, 2 Jun 2024 14:25:27 +0400 Subject: *[Enwl-eng] World Heritage Watch Report 2024 published Message-ID: From: World Heritage Watch Date: Sun, Jun 2, 2024 at 9:03?AM Subject: World Heritage Watch Report 2024 published Reports from international civil society indicate systemic shortcomings at UNESCO?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? World Heritage Watch Report 2024: Can UNESCO Still Protect the World Heritage? Reports from international civil society testify to systemic shortcomings Press release Berlin, 1 June 2024 Today, the non-governmental organization World Heritage Watch presents its tenth annual report on threats to UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It contains 55 contributions from all continents on cultural monuments, historic city centers, cultural landscapes and nature reserves, including several with indigenous populations. Every year, the World Heritage Watch Report highlights the state of humanity's common heritage. It is submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the Member States of the International Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage (?World Heritage Convention?) to help them make a more comprehensive assessment of the threats and take more appropriate decisions to address them. Some of the most noteworthy reports cover: Ancient Kherson in the Crimea (Ukraine) For the first time, an international publication has a report about the ancient Tauric Khersonese, located on the Russian-occupied Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. The report documents depressing details on the disfiguration of the site with monstrous building projects by the Russian occupants, and its ideological appropriation by the Russian Orthodox Church. The mosque of Cordoba and the Byzantine churches in Istanbul While visits to the Hagia Sophia have been significantly restricted since it was converted into a mosque, a second church of great artistic and historical significance is now also being used as a mosque. The nationalistic motives behind these measures are hardly concealed. Conversely, the Catholic Church of Spain is also using the mosque of Cordoba to overlay the Islamic character of the building by exhibiting Christian religious artefacts. Palestine For the first time, World Heritage Watch has compiled available information on the condition of three sites in Gaza that were on the Tentative List for inscription on the World Heritage List. On the West Bank, the Israeli government has used its de facto control to disfigure the building of the Old Testament Tombs of the Patriarchs in Hebron through constructions, and to erect military outposts in the cultural landscape of Battir near Bethlehem. St. Catherine's Monastery in Sinai For some years now, gigantic tourist facilities are being built in the immediate vicinity of the famous St. Catherine Monastery. The plans were never submitted to UNESCO, and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), and when they were alerted by civil society, there was no response. This is hardly anything other than a total failure on the part of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, with catastrophic consequences. Forgotten conflict areas in Sudan and Ethiopia With reports from Sudan and the breakaway Ethiopian region of Tigray, World Heritage Watch draws attention to two forgotten conflict regions where unique cultural monuments are being looted and destroyed as a result of civil wars. Forced relocation of local populations in the name of world heritage Governments are increasingly committing serious human rights violations in connection with alleged protection measures for World Heritage sites. In the case of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, many international institutions have called on the government of Tanzania to end the eviction of the Maasai from their traditional homelands, and in Angkor, Cambodia, Amnesty International has now intervened. Meanwhile, UNESCO's position remains ambiguous. The Wadden Sea Four major nature conservation organizations from Germany and the Netherlands point to cumulative threats to the fragile ecosystem from oil and gas extraction, LNG terminals and offshore wind turbines. UNESCO has already threatened to withdraw World Heritage status if new projects are added. This shows a conflict of objectives between ending dependency from Russian gas, climate change mitigation and nature conservation that the German government has not yet resolved. New coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef For the first time, World Heritage Watch is making the alarming findings about the new, fifth coral bleaching event last winter accessible to the general public outside the expert world. Good news from the Grand Canyon Last year, President Biden declared nearly 1 million acres (404,685.642 ha) adjacent to Grand Canyon National Park a national monument, not only prohibiting further uranium mining, but also protecting sacred sites of several indigenous nations. At many other World Heritage sites, local communities have been waiting for years for more decisive action from the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, for example in Stonehenge, Diyarbakir, St. Petersburg and the Acropolis of Athens. Frustration is growing that this body, made up of diplomats, gives priority to political interests rather than to the protection of heritage. In Venice, at Lake Ohrid, but also on the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, people have almost lost hope that the UNESCO World Heritage Convention can deliver on its promise to protect the sites under their tutelage. Contact: Stephan Doempke +49 151 1167-4691 Download the WHW Report 2024 World Heritage Watch Br?derstr. 13, 10178 Berlin, Germany View in browser -- ?? ???????? ??? ?????????, ????????? ????????? ?? ?????? "???????????? ????????? ?? ?????? ???????? ??????????? ???? ? ?? ????????". From: eugene simonov Sent: Sunday, June 02, 2024 4:22 AM Subject: Fwd: World Heritage Watch Report 2024 published -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From enwl at enw.net.ru Sat Jun 8 18:03:44 2024 From: enwl at enw.net.ru (ENWL) Date: Sat, 8 Jun 2024 19:03:44 +0400 Subject: *[Enwl-eng] Here is the latest news from the High-Level Champions! Message-ID: <38D585E2CB884B248DDFFA45E4836AEF@lewpostnew> UN Climate Change ? Global Climate Action 07 June 2024 ? High-Level Champions' Newsletter Raising ambition in Bonn: High-Level Champions set out their agenda for COP 29 In the six months since a global pledge to transition away from fossil fuels was made in the UAE, the devastating reality of climate change has continued to hit hard across the globe. From ferocious heat across Asia to fatal floods in Kenya, Brazil and Afghanistan, people around the world are paying with their lives, livelihoods, health and wellbeing. As delegates gather in Bonn for the 60th sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB 60), which is a key milestone in the UNFCCC process towards COP 29, we must catalyse action and move from pledges to concrete plans. High-Level Champions: Roadmap for action With increasing clarity on the direction of travel, and growing momentum for action in the real economy, the High-Level Champions are hosting and participating in a series of public events, roundtables and workshops in Bonn, with Marrakech Partnership, partners and government representatives - to share insights and information, and discuss the remaining barriers that require cooperation to overcome. These discussions are intended to continue to foster collaboration between governments and non-State entities, and to support the ratcheting of ambition and delivery of ambitious 1.5?C-aligned and resilient national climate plans (Nationally Determined Contributions, or ?NDCs?) in 2025. These include: a discussion to highlight real-economy and whole-of-society opportunities to help facilitate the implementation of the UAE Consensus, including the outcome of the global stocktake; a dialogue between cities, states and regions, governments, and other stakeholders on how to ensure multilevel partnership towards enhanced NDCs, including through initiatives such as the Coalition for High Ambition Multi-Level Partnership (CHAMP); showcasing progress and discussing next steps on the nature positive call for action; and accelerating adaptation and resilience action in line with the Global Goal on Adaptation and the Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda 2030 Solutions; engagements with representatives of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform; a workshop on mainstreaming gender priorities ahead of COP 29; and a session with representatives of the finance and business community on their contributions to a successful COP 29 and delivering ambitious NDCs. The High-Level Champions are also laying out additional key priorities ahead of COP 29, as outlined in the Work Programme for the High-Level Champions and Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action for 2024. These include scaling finance for the restoration and protection of nature, increasing the flow of capital to developing countries and Indigenous Peoples, creating a highway for climate finance towards investable NDCs, empowering Small and Medium Enterprises across the globe to capitalise on the economic opportunity available in the green economy and ensuring an inclusive COP 29 where all voices are heard. In addition, the High-Level Champions are meeting and engaging with Marrakech Partnership focal points and other stakeholders to collectively align on a roadmap of global climate action towards COP 29, in the context of implementing 2030 Climate Solutions for enhanced NDCs. This is a crucial opportunity for the Champions to connect with Parties of the UNFCCC process ahead of COP 29. Through the 2030 Climate Solutions - incorporating the 2030 Breakthroughs, and the Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda - the tools and frameworks exist to inform and support national governments to develop targets in line with the Paris Agreement. No turning back The transformation is already underway. Renewables now account for a record 30% of global electricity, and solar and wind are already cheaper than fossil fuels in 82% of the world with their prices set to halve this decade. In addition to these positive market signals, progress and investment in climate solutions, the High-Level Champions for COP 28 and COP 29, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak and Nigar Arpadarai will showcase the breadth and depth of work already underway across the real economy and areas of society to triple renewable energy and double energy efficiency while decarbonising all sectors of the global economy, protecting nature, and helping vulnerable communities adapt and become resilient to the ever present threats of climate change. Progress since COP 28 Since COP 28, the High-Level Champions and the Marrakech Partnership have continued to support and advance non-State climate action by a diverse set of key players, including sub-national government, industry, business, finance, civil society and Indigenous Peoples. More and more real economy leaders are taking action. After adding three Partner initiatives last year, the Race to Zero welcomed the Net-Zero Export Credit Agency as a Partner in 2024 and added two Accelerators in Indonesia and West Africa. Similarly, building on the USD $40 billion mobilised by the Race to Resilience Partners in 2023, the campaign has welcomed an additional eight partners including the Climate Centre for Cities and the Green Africa Youth Organization. Momentum continues to grow in the decarbonization of industry too. The 96 members of the First Movers Coalition have now committed to buying US$16 billion worth of emerging climate technologies by 2030. Likewise, during the Fourteenth Session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly, 32 utilities and power companies serving 350 million customers unveiled their roadmap and action plan to accelerate the shift to net-zero emissions before 2050 through the Global Utilities for Net Zero Alliance. The Nature Positive for Climate Action campaign continues to gain momentum with over 3,200 businesses and financial institutions committing to nature-focused targets, disclosures, and investments. Similarly, the Mangrove Breakthrough has advanced since COP 28 with the launch of its governance structure, including the inaugural meeting of the Mangrove Breakthrough Council in May. The shipping industry is also pulling together to advance the switch to green hydrogen with a coalition of the willing, including producers, ports and shipowners - all actively advocating for policy that incentivises the early uptake of the alternative fuel. This is a snapshot of progress since COP 28 and how the High-Level Champions and Marrakech Partnership are contributing to this transformational change as outlined here. As a way to take stock of this recent progress and more broadly over the last decade, the High-Level Champions are requesting feedback from national governments and all stakeholders on how they can help accelerate even further action going forward. The Champions laid out how best to do so in a letter to Parties and non-Party stakeholders. See here for the full High-Level Champions public events programme in Bonn. Non-State Actor Engagement in the UNFCCC Process at Bonn (SB 60) Credit: UN Climate Change: Amira Grotendiek UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell's opening remarks at the June UN Climate Meetings (60th Subsidiary Bodies) on 3 June 2024 emphasized how the global community can't afford rest stops, detours or stumbles at this halfway point in humanity's climate journey. It is critical that all stakeholders are on board and there are various opportunities for all to actively engage throughout these meetings. Representatives from national governments, NGOs, academia, private sector, and others met this week to discuss the characteristics of the new climate finance goal during the 10th Technical Expert Dialogue (TEDs) of the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The NCQG process offers a space for convergence among international finance institutions and investors and can facilitate interaction between all actors. The Marrakech Partnership Finance Group made a submission ahead of the dialogue with respect to mobilizing the trillions, improving effectiveness and supporting greater access to finance and facilitated the development of private sector guidance on how NDCs can catalyze finance. Another key finance event is the first workshop under the Sharm el-Sheikh dialogue on financial flows on 12-13 June, 10:00-13:00 (CEST). The focus will be on adaptation investments and the consistency of financial flows with a climate-resilient development pathway, as well as linkages to broader sustainable development co-benefits and impacts. ? Also to keep on the radar is the first Annual Global Stocktake Dialogue on 6-7 June, which will provide a platform for open discussions and exchanges between national governments and non-State actors on lessons, experiences and practical solutions to address implementation gaps in current national climate plans (or NDCs) by accelerating action; and closing ambition gaps in the next NDCs. ?Setting the Stage for African Climate Leadership: A conversation with Bogolo Kenewendo Global Economist, Bogolo Kenewendo. (Credit: Uyapo Ketogetswe, Bona267). Bogolo Kenewendo is a global leader in Pan-African development, specialising in sustainable trade and investment, and accelerating innovation across the continent. Until recently, Bogolo was the Special Advisor to the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, and Africa Director, where she played a leading role in implementing the Champions? plans for accelerating ambition and action in Africa, and delivering a transformative COP 27. As one of the founders of the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative, Kenewendo recently spoke at the Africa CEO Summit, on the theme of carbon markets. We spoke to Kenewendo about shaping solutions to deliver affordable finance for climate and development in low-income regions, such as Africa; tackling sovereign debt to free up adaptation finance; the potential to harness carbon markets in Africa; and her hopes for COP 29 to deliver as ?the finance COP. ? Click here for the full article. ?Investors gather for Brazil's Ecological Transformation The inaugural Brazil Climate Investment Week convened more than 100 domestic and international investors and business leaders in S?o Paulo last month, to catalyze private investment in the country?s climate solutions, including renewable energy, and biodiversity protection. The devastating floods in Rio Grande do Sol, Brazil have elevated the importance of the summit. Brazil is racing to deliver aid to flood-stricken communities in the south, where the death toll has exceeded 165 people, at least 581,000 people have been displaced, and the federal government has allocated more than 348 million USD to recovery and rescue efforts so far. The Summit focused on scaling the most promising opportunities in climate and nature-based solutions in Brazil to deliver the nation?s Ecological Transformation Plan, which was announced at COP 28 as the country?s primary vehicle for tackling the climate crisis. Annual investment of USD 130 - 160 billion is needed over the next 10 years?mainly in infrastructure? to deliver against the transformation plan. High-Level Champion for COP 28, Razan Al Mubarak, addressed the Brazil Climate Finance Summit (click below to view her remarks). Within the week, the Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Investment Summit also hosted sessions on the economic policy context, regulatory drivers, risk management and blended finance in NbS. In attendance were Brazil?s top NbS investment funds, developers and enterprises representing a variety of solutions and asset classes. Her Excellency, Razan Al Mubarak, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP 28, highlighted that Brazil?s Presidency of key global summits, including the G20, over the next 18 months creates a perfect opportunity to galvanise investment: Click here for the full video message. ?Business on the agenda in Baku Nigar Arpadarai, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP 29. The critical role of business in ambitious climate action was on the agenda at the Baku Business Forum. Local businesses, government officials and international stakeholders came together to discuss how the private sector can support the transition to a resilient, net zero future and the opportunities for businesses in the COP 29 host country to invest in the green economy. In her opening remarks, Nigar Arpadarai, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP 29 said the Forum served ?as a platform to highlight the pressing issues of climate impacts and risks, and to recognize the interconnectedness of environmental sustainability and business success.? Race to Resilience update: Partner updates ? Two new Partners have joined the Campaign, taking the total to 36; now collectively pledging to increase the resilience of 3.17 billion people by 2030: ? International Transformational Resilience Coalition (ITRC): A network of organizations focused on building capacity for mental wellness - and social, psychological and behavioural resilience to the climate emergency. ? EHAB: Weather Risk Platform: A weather risk management platform that helps businesses forecast and reduce weather and climate impact in the context of construction projects, energy assets, ports, farms, mines, etc. ? Celebrating Build Change: Two decades of providing climate resilient housing Build Change has yielded transformative results since 2004, making 1.17 million people and 230,000 buildings safer, and preserving around USD 4.7 billion in assets. ? Strengthening climate resilience in Senegal through digital agricultural finance. Our partner Scale for Resilience is providing digital and financial solutions to increase the resilience of Senegal's smallholder farmers. The project has already benefited more than 77,000 people, of which 78% are women. Partner updates ? Two new Partners have joined the Campaign, taking the total to 36; now collectively pledging to increase the resilience of 3.17 billion people by 2030: ? International Transformational Resilience Coalition (ITRC): A network of organizations focused on building capacity for mental wellness - and social, psychological and behavioural resilience to the climate emergency. ? EHAB: Weather Risk Platform: A weather risk management platform that helps businesses forecast and reduce weather and climate impact in the context of construction projects, energy assets, ports, farms, mines, etc. ? Celebrating Build Change: Two decades of providing climate resilient housing Build Change has yielded transformative results since 2004, making 1.17 million people and 230,000 buildings safer, and preserving around USD 4.7 billion in assets. ? Strengthening climate resilience in Senegal through digital agricultural finance. Our partner Scale for Resilience is providing digital and financial solutions to increase the resilience of Senegal's smallholder farmers. The project has already benefited more than 77,000 people, of which 78% are women. Race to Zero Update: Partner Updates: ? Both the Cities Race to Zero Mayors and The Climate Group (Under2 Coalition?s Secretariat) both celebrated the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency?s award of USD 20 billion from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for clean energy projects. ? Apple has joined the Exponential Roadmap initiative. The collaboration will support Apple on its journey to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030 and 90% by 2050, compared to the 2015 fiscal year. In case you missed it ? OpEd: A Turning Point for Clean Cooking: In conjunction with the recent IEA Clean Cooking Summit where USD 2.2 billion in public and private sector funding, financing and investment was pledged, Razan Al Mubarak, the High-Level Champion for COP 28, and Joseph Nganga of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) summarised the opportunity for ?clean cooking for all? in Project Syndicate. The two leaders called for a step-change in clean cooking funding in Africa which represents ?... a commitment that the Global North must make to the continent that has contributed the least to global warming but is nonetheless most vulnerable to its effects.? ? Kate Brandt, Chief Sustainability Officer at Google reflects on leading the company?s green revolution in our net zero leadership story. Want to showcase a leader?s story? Submit your nominations here. ? At the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF)?s Spring meetings on 17-19 April, which were geared around the theme of ?Vision to Impact,? developed countries pledged USD 11bn to help boost the World Bank?s lending capacity. ? The 15th Petersberg Climate Dialogue (PCD) on 25-26 April gathered representatives from around 40 countries in Berlin to advance towards an ambitious outcome at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 29) in Baku, with a strong emphasis on finance for climate change mitigation. Nigar Arpadarai, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP 29 met numerous government, business & civil society leaders at Petersberg - advancing conversations on climate cooperation, and supporting an open dialogue ahead of the Azerbaijan COP. ? On 24 May, the co-chairs of the Net-Zero Recognition and Accountability Framework Consultation submitted recommendations to the UNFCCC arising from the independent consultation. The consultation ? and the recommendations flowing from it ? are in response to an invitation from UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell on how best to operationalize the Recommendation 8 of the ?Integrity Matters Report? by the Expert Group established by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres. ? On 27-29 May, non-State actors engaged in the third global dialogue (GD) and investment-focused event (IFE) under the Sharm el-Sheikh mitigation ambition and implementation work programme in Bonn, Germany (hybrid), which included expert presentations, breakout discussions and pitch hub sessions. Webcasts are available on the event page. The High-Level Champions and Marrakech Partnership have supported the co-chairs of the work programme and the UNFCCC secretariat by providing substantive expertise to shape the GD and IFE, by strengthening the integration of the High-Level Champions? Regional Platforms for Climate Projects pipeline into the IFE, and by mobilizing non-state actors to engage in the activities. Three projects from the High-Level Champions pipeline were presented in the pitch hubs to explore how to bring these projects to financial close. ? The High-Level Champions and Marrakech Partnership, in collaboration with the UNFCCC secretariat and its Regional Collaboration Centres, are inviting non-Party stakeholders across all regions to share perspectives via this survey by end of June on priority solutions, specific barriers/challenges and enabling conditions of adaptation and mitigation in the framework of the 2030 Climate Solutions. Inputs received will help ensure the implementation of the 2030 Climate Solutions reflects the context and needs of all regions; is effective, inclusive, participatory, and accountable; and effectively contributes to providing solutions to the design of the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions. Mark Your Calendar ? 60th Sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies, 3 -13 June, Bonn, Germany ? Sustainable Energy for All Global Forum, 4-6 June, Bridgetown, Barbados ? High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development" (2018-2028), 10-13 June, Dushanbe, Tajikistan ? 2024 Ocean & Climate Change Dialogue, 11-12 June, Bonn, Germany ? G7 Summit 2024, 13-15 June, Puglia, Italy ? ICLEI World Congress 2024, 18-21 June S?o Paulo, Brazil ? London Climate Action Week, 22-30 June, London, UK ? 26th International Union of Forest Research Organizations World Congress, 23-29 June, Stockholm, Sweden ? European Urban Resilience Forum 2024, 26-28 June, Valencia, Spain ? World Water Week 2024, 25-29 August, Stockholm, Sweden ? 79th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), 10-24 September, New York, USA ? Summit of the Future, 22-23 September, New York, USA ? New York Climate Week, 22 ? 27 September, New York, USA ? 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns, 1-3 October, Aalborg, Denmark ? United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity COP 16, 21 October - 1 November, Colombia ? UNFCCC COP 29, 11-24 November, Baku, Azerbaijan ? G20 Summit 2024, 18-19 November, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ? United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification COP 16, 2-13 December, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Sign up for our Newsletter UN Climate Change | GlobalClimateAction at unfccc.int | unfccc.int STAY CONNECTED UNFCCC | Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1 | Bonn, State/Province 53113 DE From: Global Climate Action Sent: Friday, June 07, 2024 7:00 PM Subject: Vladimir, here is the latest news from the High-Level Champions! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From enwl at enw.net.ru Sat Jun 15 15:37:11 2024 From: enwl at enw.net.ru (ENWL) Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2024 16:37:11 +0400 Subject: *[Enwl-eng] Study Details Huge Emissions Resulting From Russia's Invasion of Ukraine Message-ID: Study Details Huge Emissions Resulting From Russia's Invasion of Ukraine https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2024-06-12/study-details-huge-emissions-resulting-from-russias-invasion-of-ukraine -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From enwl at enw.net.ru Tue Jun 18 15:02:39 2024 From: enwl at enw.net.ru (ENWL) Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2024 16:02:39 +0400 Subject: *[Enwl-eng] CAN EECCA Newsletter: There is no climate justice without civil society Message-ID: <297407FF86BE4946BA749AC3E8EB9C13@lewpostnew> Climate Action Network Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia Digest of news on climate change, energy issues www.caneecca.org -------------------------------------------------- Someone forwarded this digest to you? You can subscribe using this link -------------------------------------------------- Regional Climate News There is no climate justice without civil society. CAN EECCA statement at SB60 The Bonn Climate Change Conference SB60 has concluded, with CAN EECCA reflecting on its active participation in negotiations as the region prepares for COP29 in Azerbaijan. Nugzar Kokhreidze, CAN EECCA's Board Member, highlighted concerns about Azerbaijan's governance issues and restrictions on civil society, emphasizing the importance of international support for NGOs in ensuring climate justice. Despite challenges, opportunities exist for COP29 to foster financial ambition and regional cooperation, positioning Azerbaijan as a potential recipient of climate funds while advancing renewable energy initiatives. Armenia: How Funds Allocated by International Donors to Mitigate Climate Change Are Spent The Ani district in Tashir town, Armenia, has been promoted as a model of energy efficiency through a project funded by various organizations. However, despite significant investments, many planned measures, such as basement insulation and solar systems, remain uncompleted, and the results fall short of expectations. Residents and local officials acknowledge some improvements, but the project has been criticized for prioritizing publicity over effective implementation and tangible outcomes. Tashkent: Poor Infrastructure Affects the City?s Cleanliness In Tashkent, the problem of street pollution is related to the lack of garbage garbage cans and the lack of environmental culture among the population, which leads to scattered garbage along roads and in drains. Experts believe that solving the problem requires a comprehensive approach, including the installation of trash cans and education in environmental responsibility. Despite the existing norms on installation of urns, their number is insufficient, which aggravates the pollution problem and negatively affects the urban environment and infrastructure. Diversion of nature: introduction of red deer from Altai to Kyrgyzstan may destroy the Tien Shan red deers In May 2022, 35 marals from Altai were brought into the Besh-Tash Nature Reserve in Talas Oblast, which generated a positive reaction among the people, but scientists fear it could lead to the extinction of the local Tien-Shan maral due to interspecies mixing and new diseases. The nature park, which is considered suitable for the new inhabitants, has faced a risk to the local ecosystem as the Altai marals could displace the Tien Shan marals. Scientists are pushing to isolate or shoot the Altai red deer to protect the local subspecies, which is listed in the Red Book, and prevent an ecological disaster. Kyrgyz Officials Flout Environmental Laws At Seized Quarry Feeding Presidential Pet Project When Kyrgyzstan's authorities seized a large sand quarry near Bishkek, residents initially felt relief from the dust pollution. However, increased mining activities and the construction of new production facilities at the site have worsened air pollution, despite the government's initial environmental protection claims. Critics argue that the quarry's resources are being diverted to state projects, raising concerns about transparency and environmental compliance under President Sadyr Japarov's administration. Sun D?-i Fest 2024: festival of green technologies and sustainable lifestyles held in Chisinau The eighth edition of Sun D?-i Fest 2024, dedicated to promoting energy efficiency and raising awareness of environmental issues, took place on 16 June in Chi?in?u. The event provided participants with the opportunity to learn more about renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other aspects related to reducing climate impact. Over 70 environmental organisations and companies presented their technological innovations and sold handmade products: from photovoltaic panels and heat pumps to models of houses designed with minimal energy loss. One of the event?s highlights was a bicycle that generated electricity used to light up a model map of the Republic of Moldova. Kazakhstan: Astana seeking public input for water-management plan Kazakhstan?s government is seeking input from non-governmental stakeholders for its 2024-28 water resources management plan, which includes constructing new reservoirs, renovating existing facilities, and automating water-management systems. The draft plan, posted for expert and organizational input, aims to introduce water-saving technology, modernize drainage networks, and improve nationwide water-usage efficiency through over 5,000 specific projects. The initiative follows a government decree acknowledging unsustainable water-usage patterns, highlighting the need for radical improvements and modernization of the water infrastructure. Azerbaijani president moots creating fund for ?small island states? Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is positioning Azerbaijan as a supporter of small island developing states, in the lead-up to hosting COP29 in November. During Baku Energy Week, Aliyev announced plans to create a fund to aid these states, aligning his efforts with broader de-colonization advocacy. This move has sparked both local criticism, given Azerbaijan's internal issues, and controversy over the COP29 organizing committee's initial lack of female representation. Energy Roundup: Eurasian natural gas exporters making headway in reorienting operations The natural gas supply landscape in Eurasia is undergoing significant changes, with Russia shifting its focus to Central Asia following a drastic reduction in exports to Europe due to the Ukraine war. Concurrently, Azerbaijan is advancing efforts to replace Russian gas in meeting European Union demands, including doubling its gas exports to the EU by 2027 and securing new transit and supply agreements with Turkmenistan and several European countries. China to help Central Asian states mitigate impact of floods, earthquakes and other hazards China and the five Central Asian states have signed a cooperation agreement to improve natural disaster responses, forming a working group to mitigate risks and develop efficient response plans. This new mechanism aims to deepen practical cooperation and enhance emergency management communication, potentially including joint exercises for pipeline-related incidents. Tajikistan's disaster-management chief praised the agreement for fostering integration and cooperation, crucial in a region highly vulnerable to natural hazards like floods and earthquakes, which affect millions and cause significant economic losses annually. NDC Trainings EaP Youth Climate Leadership School Don't miss the upcoming training sessions led by Vladislav Kaim, focusing on the UNFCCC's requirements and guidance for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Scheduled for June 29 and July 6 at 9:30 am CET, these sessions will cover essential topics such as meeting UNFCCC standards, understanding NDC development, and fostering inclusivity and accountability at the national level. Participants will have the chance to apply for a fellowship, with one fellowship available per Eastern Partnership country, to engage in discussions and contribute to a statement or paper on youth inclusion in national NDCs, presented at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. -------------------------------------------------- World Climate News World Bank support for gas will hinder ambitious climate targets in lower income countries Despite the World Bank Group's pledge to support climate goals, it continues to finance fossil gas projects in low-income countries, potentially undermining these countries' climate ambitions. The World Bank's investments in gas infrastructure could limit the ability of nations like Bangladesh to reduce emissions and transition to renewable energy, locking them into high-carbon energy systems. Critics argue that the World Bank should instead focus on funding renewable energy technologies to help meet global climate targets and support sustainable development. The Story of the Energy Transfer SLAPP Lawsuit, and Why It Matters Energy Transfer, a major US fossil fuel company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), is suing Greenpeace USA and Greenpeace International for nearly US $300 million in a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP). The lawsuit stems from the Indigenous-led protests at Standing Rock in 2016 against the DAPL, aiming to suppress free speech and rewrite the history of the movement. This case is viewed as a critical test for the use of SLAPPs to intimidate and silence advocates for climate justice, potentially setting a dangerous precedent for future protests and activism challenging corporate interests worldwide. Clean energy: Portugal will begin building its largest wind farm early next year Iberdrola has received final environmental approval for Portugal?s largest wind farm, part of the T?mega hydropower complex in northern Portugal. With a capacity of 274 MW, the wind farm will integrate with existing infrastructure, including the T?mega pumped-storage hydro plant, enhancing overall energy output and efficiency. Set to begin construction in early 2025, the project aims to supply clean energy equivalent to the annual consumption of 128,000 homes while minimizing environmental impact through ecosystem support and infrastructure optimization. Coming Soon: It?s Game Over for Big Oil The paradox of an oil industry is that, despite extracting over 100 million barrels daily, faces an inevitable decline. The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts global oil demand will peak this decade, signaling a fundamental shift exacerbated by climate change and advancing clean energy transitions. Despite resistance from industry leaders and OPEC, mounting evidence suggests that fossil fuel reliance is unsustainable economically and environmentally, urging investors and policymakers to pivot towards sustainable alternatives amidst escalating climate challenges and regulatory scrutiny. Heatwaves hit southern Europe earlier than ever, experts say A recent heatwave swept across southern Europe, originating from North Africa and pushing temperatures above 40C in several regions including Greece, Cyprus, and T?rkiye. The scorching conditions resulted in multiple fatalities and forced the closure of schools and tourist sites. Meteorologists warn that this heatwave, marked by record temperatures and early onset, could signify a challenging summer ahead, exacerbated by climate change which is making such extreme weather events more frequent and severe. ? Copyright, CANEECCA This email has been sent to you, because you are a subscriber of CANEECCA From: CAN EECCA Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 4:00 PM Subject: CAN EECCA Newsletter: There is no climate justice without civil society -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From enwl at enw.net.ru Wed Jun 19 01:28:38 2024 From: enwl at enw.net.ru (ENWL) Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2024 02:28:38 +0400 Subject: *[Enwl-eng] Austria's support gets EU biodiversity law over the line Message-ID: <2B11647745254985B9BB4A7E81704185@lewpostnew> Austria's support gets EU biodiversity law over the line https://phys.org/news/2024-06-austria-eu-biodiversity-law-line.html -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From enwl at enw.net.ru Sun Jun 23 02:10:50 2024 From: enwl at enw.net.ru (enwl) Date: Sun, 23 Jun 2024 03:10:50 +0400 Subject: *[Enwl-eng] Parenting in the Plasticine Message-ID: Can we ever protect our kids from plastic? News of the world environment NEWSLETTER | JUNE 21, 2024 Parenting in the Plasticine A FEW MONTHS AGO, I got a midday text from my son?s daycare. He had fallen off a rocking horse and bitten his tongue. It was a pretty run-of-the-mill injury for an 18-month-old, but they wanted to give me a heads-up ahead of pick-up that day; apparently there had been a fair amount of blood. When I went to gather him after work, he greeted me with a big grin, and a slightly bloody teether in his mouth. I was a little alarmed that his tongue was still bleeding. But I was more concerned about the teether. His teachers had lovingly given it to him to soothe his wound. But it was plastic, and the moment I saw it, I wanted to pluck it out of his mouth. In many ways, this is a silly story. My son comes into contact with plastics every day of his life, in daycare as well as in our home. A few extra minutes with a teether really wasn?t a big deal. But the moment encapsulates the kind of anxiety I often face as a mom. I worry about the chemicals in my kids? shampoo, the contaminants in the water they drink, the exhaust fumes from cars and the particulate pollution from wildfires that their tiny lungs inhale. But it?s plastic that bothers me more than anything else. I constantly worry about all the plastic my two children come in contact with ? from the Legos they dump across our floors, to the stuffed animals they cuddle, to the packaging on the foods they eat ? and how I might reduce it. Of course, anxiety is a normal part of parenting. We worry endlessly over the costs of childcare, the nutritional benefits of foods, the best sleep habits, and of course choking hazards, tripping hazards ? and tongue-biting hazards. To me, though, the threat plastic poses is different. The level to which plastic now infiltrates our lives and environments is unprecedented. And the health threats associated with plastic are, too. Journal Managing Editor Zoe Loftus-Farren navigates plastic exposure and eco-anxiety as a parent in this feature from our summer print issue. READ MORE Illustration by Lisa Vanin SUGGESTED BROWSING Free-for-All Reefs People have sunk everything from old boats, to armored tanks, to voting machines off the Alabama coast, all in the name of reef-building. ?The result is a largely haphazard, grand experiment in cultivation with few set rules,? Irina Zhorov writes, raising more than a few questions about environmental costs. (Noema) Degrowth in Action Life is expensive and the climate crisis is here ? and our consumer culture doesn?t help on either count. Which is why more and more people are committing to a ?no buy? year. (Atmos) A Remarkable Journey Mule Deer 255, a collared Wyoming mule deer who migrated more than any other deer known to science in her 11-year life, has died. Deer 255 helped inspire public interest in animal migrations and reveal the ?true scale of migration connectivity and habitat requirements? in the West, Greg Nickerson writes in this moving tribute. (Yellowstonian) Faith-Based Conservation The ancient practice of setting aside certain areas as himas, or protected places, has largely disappeared in the Middle East. But some hope the practice, which carries religious significance, could offer a culturally integrated path toward supporting habitat restoration and communities in the region. (BioGraphic) Not a subscriber yet? You can get 4 issues of our award-winning print magazine delivered for $20 ($25 for international addresses) by clicking this secure link. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Earth Island Journal is a nonprofit publication. Our mission is to inform and inspire action. Which is why we rely on readers like you for support. If you believe in the work we do, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to our Green Journalism Fund. DONATE TODAY! Did a thoughtful friend forward you our newsletter? Keep up with the latest from Earth Island Journal! SIGN UP TODAY Follow Follow Subscribe You are receiving this email newsletter because you signed up on our website. If this newsletter was forwarded to you, you can sign up to the email newsletter here. Support our work by subscribing to our quarterly print magazine. -------------------------------------------------------- Copyright ? 2023 Earth Island Journal, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Earth Island Journal 2150 Allston Way Ste 460 Berkeley, CA 94704-1375 Add us to your address book No longer want to receive these emails? From: Editors, Earth Island Journal Sent: Saturday, June 22, 2024 3:45 AM Subject: Parenting in the Plasticine -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From enwl at enw.net.ru Mon Jun 24 19:03:25 2024 From: enwl at enw.net.ru (enwl) Date: Mon, 24 Jun 2024 20:03:25 +0400 Subject: *[Enwl-eng] CAN EECCA Newsletter: Victory of youth activists, renewables rise while uranium mining resumes in Kyrgyzstan Message-ID: Climate Action Network Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia Digest of news on climate change, energy issues www.caneecca.org -------------------------------------------------- Someone forwarded this digest to you? You can subscribe using this link -------------------------------------------------- Regional Climate News Kyrgyzstan: Environmentalists raise alarm about resumption of uranium mining Environmental activists in Kyrgyzstan are concerned about potential disasters following the parliament's decision to resume uranium mining after a five-year ban. The government argues that uranium mining could significantly boost the economy, providing up to $2 billion in revenue, but activists warn about the environmental costs and safety risks, especially in earthquake-prone areas. An accident involving a Rosatom truck and concerns over unstable dams containing uranium tailings underscore the fears of a possible nuclear disaster. Energy colonization. What Kazakhstan agreed with Russia at the St. Petersburg Forum Kazakhstan, participating in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2024, signed a long-term contract to supply Russian gas to Uzbekistan through its territory, raising concerns over the loss of energy sovereignty. Experts believe that Kazakhstan, dependent on Russian gas, finds itself in a vulnerable position, especially against the backdrop of geopolitical risks. At the same time, the Kazakh government has not invested enough in developing its own gas infrastructure, which exacerbates energy dependence on Russia. Open Call: Support for Georgia's Civil Society The New Democracy Fund is launching a call for support to civil society actors based in Georgia. Who call apply? Civil society actors are broadly defined as democratically organised civil society organisations, social movements, media, academia, trade unions as well as community-based groups and organisations, including cultural, educational, and knowledge institutions. Civil Society Actors from all the Eastern Neighborhood Countries can apply as long as they are based in Georgia. This Ukrainian startup is making paper without cutting down trees Ukrainian startup Releaf Paper, founded by Valentyn Frechka, uses dead leaves instead of trees to produce paper, significantly reducing environmental impact by emitting 78% less CO2 and using 15 times less water than traditional methods. Cities in Europe provide Releaf with collected leaves, which are processed into cellulose, enabling the production of paper products for clients like L'Or?al and Google. Releaf's first commercial factory, set to open near Paris, will process 5,000 tonnes of leaves annually, with plans for global expansion. COP29: EU Commissioner for Climate Action visits Azerbaijan On 20 June, EU Commissioner for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra visited Azerbaijan to discuss COP29 preparations, which will be hosted in Baku in November 2024. Hoekstra met with various Azerbaijani officials, including the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources and the Energy Minister, to discuss Azerbaijan's climate targets and the strategic energy partnership with the EU. He also emphasized the importance of civil society participation and human rights in the climate discussions, highlighting the EU's commitment to these values in the lead-up to COP29. Armenia: restoring Lake Sevan ecosystem The EU-supported strategy for the restoration of the Lake Sevan ecosystem was presented in Yerevan, Armenia. The strategy includes goals, principles, and a detailed action plan for the lake's restoration. Deputy Minister of Environment Ara Mkrtchyan emphasized adaptive management for long-term stability, while Frank Hess of the EU Delegation highlighted the importance of financial investments and a participatory approach. -------------------------------------------------- World Climate News Youth activists win ?historic? climate case settlement in Hawaii Youth climate activists in Hawaii have secured a historic settlement in a groundbreaking constitutional climate case, Navahine v. Hawaii Department of Transportation, which addressed transportation sector emissions. The settlement recognizes the state?s obligation to provide a life-sustaining climate, committing Hawaii to transformative changes aimed at achieving net-negative emissions by 2045. The agreement, announced by Governor Josh Green and public interest law firms Our Children's Trust and Earthjustice, marks the first settlement between a state government and youth plaintiffs to address constitutional climate issues, emphasizing the state's duty to develop sustainable transportation solutions. Summer solstice: Solar a ?serious? electricity player as power share soars to 20% Spain is leading Europe in solar power generation this June, with solar energy expected to account for 30% of its electricity mix. On 21 June, solar power is projected to make up 20% of global electricity at midday peaks, up from 16% last year, according to clean energy think tank Ember. The rapid growth of solar energy, driven by decreasing battery costs and increased efficiency, positions it as the fastest-growing source of electricity and a key player in the future energy landscape. Your Guide to Renewable Energy: Wind Energy Wind energy, pivotal in the global shift from fossil fuels to renewables, harnesses wind currents to generate electricity through turbines, making it a sustainable alternative with significant environmental benefits. It's the second largest renewable energy source globally, crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional power plants. Wind farms, whether onshore or offshore, are expanding rapidly, expected to increase tenfold by 2050 to support global efforts toward achieving net-zero emissions. Is Greece Europe?s most climate-hit country? A scientist explains Greece is experiencing severe impacts from climate change, including its earliest heatwave on record, resulting in multiple deaths and disruptions. The Mediterranean region, particularly Greece, is heating faster than other parts of Europe, with temperatures rising over 1.5?C in the past 30 to 40 years. Greece's unique geography, with extensive coastlines and numerous islands, makes it particularly vulnerable to heatwaves, strong winds, and forest fires, which have become increasingly frequent and severe, prompting the country to adopt new climate resilience measures. ? Copyright, CANEECCA This email has been sent to you, because you are a subscriber of CANEECCA From: CAN EECCA Sent: Monday, June 24, 2024 4:00 PM Subject: CAN EECCA Newsletter: Victory of youth activists, renewables rise while uranium mining resumes in Kyrgyzstan -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From enwl at enw.net.ru Tue Jun 25 12:56:28 2024 From: enwl at enw.net.ru (enwl) Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2024 13:56:28 +0400 Subject: *[Enwl-eng] UWEC Work Group Issue # 22 Message-ID: <8E285DDB4D054AF5AF513A88B6CC9804@evol.sp.ru> UWEC Work Group Issue # 22We are continuing to analyze the environmental consequences of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We are continuing to analyze the environmental consequences of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We are continuing to analyze the environmental consequences of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Dear Friends! Sanctions are considered one effective mechanism for countering Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Environmental organizations around the world support a ban on Russia?s fossil fuel exports and also view it as a means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Recently, Razom We Stand drafted an open manifesto calling for strengthened sanctions on fossil fuel exports from Russia, which was signed, among others, by UWEC Work Group. How effective are these sanctions? Can they be implemented without adopting more ambitious energy transition plans in Ukraine's partner countries? Read our article: a.. An environmental perspective: Are sanctions against Russia working, and if not, why not? The ?grey zones? that Russian and Western companies use to circumvent sanctions are vast and affect various regions. Some examples of circumvention of sanctions mechanisms are easily observed, while others require a more in-depth investigation. UWEC Work Group expert Eugene Simonov describes how an Australian coal company not only exploited the traditional lands of the indigenous population of Chukotka in Russia, but also tried to circumvent sanctions mechanisms. Ultimately, the company was forced to sell its Russian assets. Despite that, the sale of the Australian company to Russian oligarchs did not make things any easier for either Chukotka?s indigenous communities or Chukotka?s nature. a.. Sanctions against Russia: the Australian mining connection June 6 marked the anniversary of the Kakhovka Hydropower Plant dam explosion. The subsequent environmental disaster once again raised the issue of ecocide at the international level, and the incredibly fast-growing Velyky Luh forest on the bed of the former Kakhovka Reservoir demonstrated the capacity of ecosystems for self-restoration in the post-war period. Oleksiy Vasyliuk and Eugene Simonov examined what is known today about the consequences of this disaster a year on and what we can prepare for in the future. a.. After the deluge: One year on, can the ecosystems disrupted by the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam recover? The war has already destroyed entire populations of animals and plants and has put some species at risk of extinction. Moreover, while the death of domestic livestock and pets is well-known, many people are unaware of the ecocide of wild reptiles and amphibians. Ukrainian Candidate of Sciences herpetologist Oleksii Marushchak explains how the war is destroying Ukraine?s ?silent? inhabitants. a.. Beyond the fog of war: deaths of the silent Ukraine?s ?green recovery? remains a key focus for UWEC Working Group. In June 2023, this topic was discussed at a conference in Berlin, but work on promoting the topic of ?green? and sustainable recovery is ongoing. Meetings are held, strategies are formed, plans are approved. Read our May review about the latest research and trends related to the country?s ?green recovery?. a.. Environmental consequences of the war in Ukraine: May review You can explore other stories and news related to the consequences of Russia?s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on our website, on Twitter (X), Facebook, and Telegram. We wish you strength and peace! Aleksei Ovchinnikov, Editor, UWEC Work Group UWEC ? Charnali, 2 ? Charnali 6400 ? Georgia From: UWEC Work Group Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2024 11:00 AM Subject: UWEC Work Group Issue # 22 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: