From enwl at enw.net.ru Mon Mar 4 18:11:29 2024 From: enwl at enw.net.ru (enwl) Date: Mon, 4 Mar 2024 19:11:29 +0400 Subject: *[Enwl-eng] =?utf-8?q?=F0=9F=8C=8FCAN_EECCA_Newsletter=3A_Fight_?= =?utf-8?q?for_Kumisi_lake=2C_nuclear_struggles_and_Kazakhstan?= =?utf-8?q?=E2=80=99s_plans_on_oil?= Message-ID: <58079B68C76D4631BD486ECA6ADB7A3D@evol.sp.ru> CAN EECCA ENGLISH DIGEST?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? 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 Fight for Kumisi Lake in Georgia (geor) The guardians of Lake Kumisi, represented by the movement "Akhali Kumisi - Eco-Village in Georgia", are fighting for its preservation, but the inaction of state authorities threatens both the biodiversity of the lake and the future of the village. The population of Novy Kumisi seeks help from the regional office of the Department of Environmental Supervision, demanding solutions to the problems of lowering the water level and pollution of the lake. In parallel, the residents face the problem of drinking water, but the state's efforts in the direction of eliminating the problems prove insufficient. Kyrgyzstan Loses Glaciers and Faces Food Insecurity Risks Over the past 70 years, glacier area in Kyrgyzstan has decreased by 16%, which threatens food security at both regional and local levels. Lack of irrigation water leads to a significant reduction in agricultural yields, resulting in the loss of up to 250 thousand tons of grain per year. Shrinking glaciers threaten drought in the region, and reconstruction of the irrigation system becomes a necessary measure to combat water losses and ensure food security. Land degradation in Khatlon province poses threats to the environment The problem of agricultural land degradation in agrarian areas of Tajikistan is becoming more and more acute, leading to negative consequences for the environment. In Khatlon region, dozens of hectares of land have fallen out of agricultural use due to salinization, desiccation and lack of irrigation water. Farmers are experiencing serious losses due to their inability to grow crops, and experts attribute the degradation of agricultural land to climate change and improper irrigation methods. What is the government hiding in the final report on the Shovi tragedy? The National Environmental Protection Agency is trying to avoid responsibility for the Chauvy tragedy by hiding important data and assessments. The agency's report does not mention Swiss experts' assessments of an alarm system capable of preventing the disaster, as well as recent events in Kazbegi, where the alarm system is already in operation. The contradictions in the conclusions and the lack of answers to important questions have drawn criticism from the public and the media. Circular Economy. Are there prospects for Belarus? In 2022, the World Bank emphasized the unsustainability of the traditional linear economy, which leads to resource overconsumption and pollution. According to the data, modern lifestyles require 60% more resources than the Earth can provide. The circular economy, on the contrary, proposes to use resources more efficiently, reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions. In Belarus, there is also interest in the transition to the circular economy, but lack of awareness, technology and information about opportunities may be obstacles. Modernising Kazakhstan?s coal-dependent power sector through renewables A study focusing on Kazakhstan's energy potential highlights its capacity for expanding solar and wind energy due to its vast territory. By mid-2023, the country had reached a 5% share of variable renewable generation (vRES) in its energy mix, aiming to increase this to 15% by 2030, with possibilities for even higher shares. The research emphasizes pathways to achieve these goals, minimizing costs, ensuring security of supply, and transitioning away from carbon-intensive coal-fired power generation, thereby contributing significantly to Kazakhstan's climate objectives. Additionally, the study underscores the broader benefits and opportunities for the energy sector and economy while addressing challenges such as grid integration, transformation of combined heat and power systems, and social implications of coal usage. The Prague Civil Society Centre Fellowship Programme The Prague Civil Society Centre invites civil society leaders, journalists and activists from Central Asia and Eastern Europe to participate in a three-month fellowship program in Prague. Participants will be able to reboot, work on their projects and exchange experiences. The program provides support in the form of transportation costs, health insurance, accommodation and per diem, as well as visa assistance. The deadline for applications is March 25, 2024, and the programs will be held in three time slots from 2024 to 2025. Swathes of Tajikistan crippled by unexplained power outage On March 1, Tajikistan experienced widespread electricity outages lasting approximately three hours, believed to be caused by a significant technical malfunction. Dushanbe residents faced disruptions in heating and hot water supply during a period of unseasonably cold weather, exacerbated by increased reliance on electric heaters. The outage, possibly linked to an incident at the Nurek hydroelectric power plant, affected communication services and essential utilities, highlighting the country's vulnerability to power disruptions, although some regions, like Bokhtar and the Pamirs, remained unaffected. Kazakhstan plans to expand its oil potential Magzum Mirzagaliyev, the chairman of KazMunayGas (KMG), discussed plans to expand Kazakhstan's oil potential through exploration of new fields, noting a low exploration rate of just 24%. KMG is currently focusing on exploration activities in various regions, including seismic research and drilling of exploration wells. Despite challenges such as declining production in existing fields and difficulties in offshore exploration, KMG remains optimistic about future prospects and is implementing strategies to boost production, including rehabilitation projects and the development of alternative energy sources like wind and solar power. -------------------------------------------------- World Climate News World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2023 The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2023 (WNISR2023) offers a comprehensive analysis of the global nuclear industry, covering operational data, new construction, and Small Modular Reactor (SMR) development. Special focus chapters delve into nuclear economics, U.S. policy, South Africa's struggling nuclear program, Germany's phased-out fleet, France's nuclear challenges, Russia's industry, and the UK's operational and decommissioning issues. Additionally, the report examines ongoing challenges at Fukushima, decommissioning efforts worldwide, and the growing disparity between nuclear and renewable energy deployment, drawing on contributions from interdisciplinary experts and top institutions. Colombia?s Confrontational Climate Policy Colombia, once reliant on oil exports, is transitioning towards environmental leadership, as demonstrated by its hosting of the upcoming United Nations Biodiversity Conference in Cali. President Gustavo Petro's administration is driving initiatives to green the economy, including halting new oil exploration contracts and intensifying efforts to combat deforestation in the Amazon. Colombia's proactive stance on climate issues, such as joining calls for a fossil fuel nonproliferation treaty, is reshaping regional dynamics and positioning the country as a key player in global environmental diplomacy. However, challenges remain, including potential economic repercussions and the need to sustain efforts amid complex geopolitical and domestic factors. ?Revolutionary?: EU Parliament votes to criminalise most serious cases of ecosystem destruction The European Union has passed a groundbreaking directive to criminalize severe environmental damage, comparable to ecocide, with harsh penalties including prison sentences for individuals and significant fines for companies. The directive aims to address the growing environmental crimes in Europe, such as habitat loss and illegal logging, and represents a significant step towards environmental protection and accountability. While hailed as revolutionary, some experts believe that more could have been done, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and potential expansion of the directive's scope beyond EU borders. Climate Vulnerable Nations Reject US-led Push for Solar Geoengineering at UNEA-6 During the sixth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), climate-vulnerable states successfully blocked efforts to legitimize solar geoengineering technologies, a move welcomed by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL). Countries like Switzerland, Monaco, Georgia, and Israel's attempts to establish an Expert Scientific Group on solar geoengineering were halted due to lack of consensus among Member States. The United States, Saudi Arabia, and Japan also faced strong opposition from African, Pacific, and Latin American countries in their attempts to undermine existing UN moratoria on Solar Radiation Modification (SRM). Nuclear Victims Remembrance Day ? United States must comply with Marshall Islands demands for recognition and nuclear justice Seventy years ago, the Marshall Islands experienced the devastating Castle Bravo nuclear test, resulting in widespread radioactive contamination and lasting health impacts on the local population. Despite decades of suffering and displacement, the victims have yet to receive full justice, medical care, or reparations. The Marshall Islands government continues to seek compensation from the U.S., highlighting the ongoing struggle for nuclear justice. Greenpeace stands in solidarity with the affected communities, advocating for accountability and raising awareness about the lasting dangers of nuclear testing. How plastic pollution is accelerating the triple planetary crisis The worsening climate crisis, exemplified by events like severe tropical cyclone Freddy, underscores the urgency of addressing the triple planetary crisis: climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Plastic production, fueled by fossil fuels, exacerbates these crises by emitting greenhouse gases and harming communities, particularly in Africa, already vulnerable to climate impacts. Despite the health risks and environmental damage associated with plastics, major corporations, supported by oil-producing countries, hinder efforts to address the issue. Clean energy tech slowed down growth of global carbon emissions in 2023, IEA says Clean energy technology played a crucial role in slowing the growth of global carbon emissions in 2023, despite increased energy demand, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Without advancements in clean energy, emissions over the past five years would have been significantly higher, emphasizing the importance of transitioning away from fossil fuels. While emissions still reached a record high in 2023, the expansion of solar, wind, and nuclear power contributed to a "structural slowdown" in energy-related emissions, highlighting the potential for a peak in carbon emissions as clean energy adoption accelerates globally. ? Copyright, CANEECCA This email has been sent to you, because you are a subscriber of CANEECCA From: CAN EECCA Sent: Monday, March 04, 2024 4:00 PM Subject: ?CAN EECCA Newsletter: Fight for Kumisi lake, nuclear struggles and Kazakhstan?s plans on oil -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From enwl at enw.net.ru Sat Mar 9 18:40:04 2024 From: enwl at enw.net.ru (ENWL) Date: Sat, 9 Mar 2024 19:40:04 +0400 Subject: *[Enwl-eng] Civil society statement for safe, affordable and climate friendly energy for all Message-ID: <3759F0FCD0B24A8FAD5621A2D7A4618E@lewpostnew> From: No Nukes Asia Forum Japan Date: ??, 5 ???. 2024??. ? 02:51 Subject: Civil society statement for safe, affordable and climate friendly energy for all Dear friends, Please endorse the following joint appeal as organization. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJVwBY00OLYX7aoAWOnqkk5Led22g2Z8BUt_u-dng4lrymcQ/viewform The following organisations support and sign this declaration: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pPQol07GeKd6ezGJ7JHqX9CXHtZa-aRrL_DDOssFWao/edit Civil society statement for safe, affordable and climate friendly energy for all On 21 March 2024, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Prime Minister of Belgium will invite world leaders for the "first ever nuclear energy summit" in Brussels. The nuclear industry and its political supporters will be looking for some cash under the pretext of the climate crisis. But the truth is it is too slow, too expensive and too risky to make a difference and will divert efforts away from real solutions. Civil society organisations from different parts of Europe and the world drafted a statement to demand safe, affordable and climate-friendly energy for all instead. We would be very grateful for your support of this joint statement. Our goal is to involve as many signatory organisations as possible from all over the world. If your organisation would like to endorse the statement, please fill out the form below by Thursday 14 March EOB. We will publish the statement on 21 March. Each signatory organisation can publish the text on their own on 21 March. - - - - - - - - - - joint statement Safe, affordable and climate-friendly energy for all The international nuclear lobby, at the invitation of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Prime Minister of Belgium, will hold a nuclear energy summit in Brussels on 21 March 2024. The nuclear lobby camouflages itself beneath a climate-friendly facade, hoping to divert massive sums of money away from real climate solutions, at the expense of people and the planet. The world faces multiple social, environmental and economic crises. People are worried about the cost of living, extreme weather events linked to climate change, and their energy bills. Lobbyists and politicians at the nuclear energy summit will present building new nuclear power plants as the answer, but this does not pass a basic reality check. New nuclear power is too slow to tackle the climate emergency. Nuclear power plants under development have been severely delayed and won?t be able to meaningfully contribute to cutting carbon emissions this decade. Whereas greenhouse gas emissions must be drastically cut by 2030 to limit global temperature rise to less than 1.5 degrees, any new nuclear plants announced today would not be connected to the grid until well past this deadline. New nuclear power plants are a distraction which slows down the energy transition. A rapid shift away from fossil fuels should instead focus on building a 100% renewable energy system coupled with energy efficiency and measures to avoid excessive energy use. Together, these steps can meet the world?s energy needs in a way that is fair, environmentally friendly, and achievable. Nuclear energy is much more expensive than renewables. While nuclear projects face huge budget overruns and cancellations due to sky-rocketing costs, renewables are cheaper than ever before, declining sharply in relative costs compared to nuclear. New nuclear power plants are up to nearly four times as expensive as wind power, according to the 2023 World Nuclear Industry Status Report. Governments need to invest in proven climate solutions, such as home insulation, public transport, and renewable energy, rather than expensive experiments, like small modular reactors, which have no guarantees of actually delivering. Nuclear power is dangerous. From mining for uranium to radioactive waste, nuclear power production is a risk to people?s health, safety, and the environment. Nuclear power can be used as military targets and increase the risk of spreading nuclear weapons across the world, the use of depleted uranium and atomic bombs. The climate crisis also increases the risks involved in nuclear power, as increased heatwaves, droughts, storms, and flooding all pose significant threats to the plants themselves and to the systems that aim to prevent nuclear accidents. We are living in a climate emergency. Time is precious, and too many governments are wasting it with nuclear energy fairy tales. What we demand is a just transition towards a safe, renewable and affordable energy system that secures jobs and protects life on our planet. - - - - - - - - - - in solidarity, Sato Daisuke No Nukes Asia Forum Japan sdaisuke at rice.ocn.ne.jp https://www.nonukesasiaforum.org/japan/ https://www.facebook.com/nnafjapan -- ?? ???????? ??? ?????????, ????????? ????????? ?? ?????? "seu-international". From: Svet Zabelin Sent: Tuesday, March 05, 2024 8:20 AM Subject: Fwd: Civil society statement for safe, affordable and climate friendly energy for all -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From enwl at enw.net.ru Sun Mar 10 14:20:45 2024 From: enwl at enw.net.ru (ENWL) Date: Sun, 10 Mar 2024 15:20:45 +0400 Subject: *[Enwl-eng] Please sign petitions in order to stop cat torture in china! Message-ID: <9BAE453F095A4BDF97D9A5BF50AC3939@lewpostnew> ????? ??????? ?????? ????????? ????????? ? ????????? ? ?????: -------- ???????????? ????????? -------- ?? ????: Sanctuary HungarianVelvetPaws ????: ???????, 9 ??????? 2024, 0:10 +03:00 ????: Please sign petitions in order to stop cat torture in china! Dear Sir/Madam! In my previous email I messaged about chinese citizens brutally torturing cats in a regular manner. Here I have included a list of petitions which You can sign to end this brutality for once and for all! I would kindly ask you to sign and distribute the following petitions! https://www.drove.com/campaign/64f5256c4798a48fe38f733c?skey=.2IhE https://www.change.org/p/stop-animal-torturing-groups-in-china?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_36190009_en-AU%3Acv_55925&recruiter=1095873015&recruited_by_id=58e26ab0-a13a-11ea-a207-3dd4a3e9a1e7&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&share_bandit_exp=initial-36190009-en-GB https://www.idausa.org/campaign/dog-meat/latest-news/china-animal-cruelty-law/ https://www.change.org/p/urgent-call-to-put-a-stop-to-unprecedented-levels-of-cruelty-torture-to-animals-in-china https://www.oipa.org/international/cats-tortured-and-killed-online-china https://ladyfreethinker.org/sign-justice-for-cats-tortured-and-dismembered-for-online-views/ There are also an option to 1-click send emails to chinese embassies and government officials to stop cat torture and urge them to create animal protection laws in china, it is here: https://sites.google.com/view/savecatsinchina/take-action#h.dv2rlxwjlpfx Sorry to disturb You with this again but we think this matter demands justice as soon as possible! Sincerely, Hungarian VelvetPaws Sanctuary Foundation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Alexey Zimenko Sent: Sunday, March 10, 2024 6:41 AM Subject: Fwd: Please sign petitions in order to stop cat torture in china! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From enwl at enw.net.ru Mon Mar 11 15:08:47 2024 From: enwl at enw.net.ru (ENWL) Date: Mon, 11 Mar 2024 16:08:47 +0400 Subject: *[Enwl-eng] =?utf-8?q?=F0=9F=8C=8FCAN_EECCA_Newsletter=3A_Women_?= =?utf-8?q?in_climate_change=2C_Azerbaijani_gas_for_the_EU_and_uran?= =?utf-8?q?ium_anxiety?= Message-ID: <3A48F2B8E12740F09C30C6C001020E74@lewpostnew> CAN EECCA ENGLISH DIGEST?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? 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 Tajikistan?s energy crisis: residents face regular power cuts Tajikistan is facing a crisis in its power supply system, exacerbated by recent cold weather, causing widespread outages and hardships for the population. Experts attribute the problem to a combination of factors including outdated infrastructure from the Soviet era, excessive electricity demand, and mismanagement within the energy sector. Despite ongoing efforts to modernize the system, including financial support from international organizations, Tajikistan continues to struggle with systemic issues that lead to recurring power failures, impacting the daily lives of its citizens. Women in Central Asia Lead on Climate Change Women have become leading lights in the field of environmental activism across Central Asia, despite facing public resistance and gender discrimination ? and the fact that there are almost no women political decision-makers across the region. We are proud to say that among these women there are two notable figures who stand out as Board members of the CAN EECCA. Kyrgyzstan: Officials brush aside uranium anxieties over Kyzyl-Ompol field Plans by the Kyrgyzstan government to exploit uranium and other rare earth metals near Lake Issyk-Kul have sparked concerns among locals, although dissent is suppressed due to fear of reprisals. President Sadyr Japarov attempted to allay fears during a meeting in Balykchy, promising job creation and emphasizing the extraction of titanomagnetite rather than uranium. Despite assurances, skepticism remains, with some recalling past environmental disasters and government scientists warning of potential contamination risks to the lake and surrounding areas. Energy minister: SGC expansion to strengthen Europe-Azerbaijan partnership On March 1, Baku hosted the 10th meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council and the 2nd meeting on ?green? energy, where the issues of increasing natural gas supplies from the Caspian Sea region to Europe were discussed. Azerbaijan is actively expanding the geography of natural gas supplies to the European continent, and its supplies already go to eight countries, of which six are in Europe. Moldova has also expressed interest in possible cooperation with Baku on a submarine cable project to transmit electricity across the Black Sea. Climate change impact on women?s vulnerability in Georgia A study on the impacts of climate change on women in Georgia, published in late 2023, emphasizes the importance of understanding the role of women in adapting to climate change. The work, conducted by Mariam Devidze, revealed that different groups of women face different climate risks and therefore require a customized approach in developing adaptation strategies. The study covered both urban and rural areas of Georgia, involving women of different age groups and professions, which provided a better understanding of the impact of climate change on women's lives in the country. Saudis make big wind power strides in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have ambitious renewable energy goals for 2030, with plans to significantly increase wind and solar power capacity. ACWA Power, a green energy company based in Riyadh, has been at the forefront of wind power projects in the region, recently securing contracts for major wind farms in both countries. In Uzbekistan, ACWA Power is set to construct two wind power plants, totaling 800 megawatts, as part of a $1.1 billion investment, while in Kazakhstan, the company will implement a 1-gigawatt wind power project in the Jetisu region, aligning with the countries' commitments to increase renewable energy production. Draft Law on Innovative Energy Solutions in Moldova The Ministry of Energy organized public consultations on March 5, 2024, regarding a draft law aimed at fostering innovation in the energy sector through the establishment of innovative testing spaces. This initiative seeks to stimulate innovative solutions in energy production, storage, distribution, and consumption by providing companies with exemptions from certain regulatory provisions for a period of up to seven years. Supported by UNDP Moldova and funded by various countries, including Denmark and Sweden, the draft law aims to accelerate the adoption of new technologies to meet decarbonization targets and address emerging challenges in the energy system. Kazakhstan positions itself for lithium windfall Kazakhstan is emerging as a significant global player in the lithium market, with substantial reserves discovered in eastern regions, potentially worth billions of dollars. This development aligns with the growing demand for lithium in power-storage technology, highlighted by European Commission officials as essential for green and digital technology transitions. Kazakhstan's efforts to disclose and attract investment in lithium mining signify a departure from previous secrecy, with interest from both European and Chinese investors in tapping into the country's lithium resources. Students in Moldova will learn about responsible energy use and reducing climate impact behaviour Starting from the 2024-2025 school year, students will receive education on energy and climate through modules integrated into subjects like Physics, Geography, and Personal Development. The curriculum aims to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills related to sustainable energy use and environmental conservation. The initiative, endorsed by government officials including Cristina Pereteatcu and Valentina Olaru, emphasizes the importance of educating future generations to address energy challenges and promote sustainable lifestyles, offering teachers training and access to teaching resources to support the implementation of the curriculum. -------------------------------------------------- World Climate News Seventh Great Barrier Reef mass bleaching a desperate warning to end fossil fuels The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has confirmed the occurrence of the seventh mass coral bleaching event, marking the fifth such event in just eight years. Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO, David Ritter, described the news as devastating, emphasizing the urgent need to address climate change as a primary threat to the reef's survival. Ritter criticized the Australian government's continued support for the coal and gas industry, arguing that approving projects like Woodside's Burrup Hub contradicts their commitment to protecting the Great Barrier Reef. Big sand battery to store wind and solar energy using crushed soapstone A groundbreaking sand battery project in Pornainen, Finland, is set to revolutionize the town's heating system, reducing carbon emissions by nearly 70%. Developed by Polar Night Energy, the battery will store thermal energy from solar and wind sources, eliminating the need for oil in the district heating network. With crucial support from the Energy Community Secretariat and the EU4Energy project, this innovative initiative aligns with Finland's commitment to carbon neutrality and offers a scalable solution to energy storage challenges. Norway agrees to compensate Indigenous people over land for Europe's largest onshore wind farm Norway has reached an agreement with the Sami people, ending a lengthy dispute over Europe's largest onshore wind farm and indigenous reindeer rights. Despite the Supreme Court ruling that the wind farm construction violated Sami rights, the turbines will remain operational with compensation paid to the Sami, including a share of energy produced and a new area for winter grazing. The agreement is seen as a step towards repairing human rights violations and ensuring better dialogue between the state and indigenous communities, following protests supported by activist Greta Thunberg. Wellbeing: Same Remedy For Gender Inequality and the Climate Crisis Gender inequality is deeply intertwined with global crises like climate change and ecosystem destruction due to the influence of powerful interest groups pushing for profit-driven economic growth, disproportionately affecting women through exploitation and undervaluation of their labor. Women are trapped in low-wage and precarious work, often denied recognition for their unpaid care work essential for sustaining economies. Shifting priorities towards wellbeing, including progressive taxation and gender-responsive policies, is crucial to addressing systemic inequalities and fostering sustainable and equitable societies. Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon down 30% in February Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest decreased by 30% in February compared to the previous year, in line with President Lula da Silva's commitment to end illegal deforestation by 2030. Preliminary satellite data indicated that 226 square km of the rainforest were cleared last month, a drop from the record-high deforestation in the same period in 2023, though still above the nine-year average. Despite the encouraging trend, caution is urged in interpreting the February data due to potential noise from heavy clouds, while concerns persist over increased wildfires in Roraima, posing a threat to Indigenous communities in the Yanomami territory and highlighting the growing deforestation risk in the Cerrado region. Fossil fuel firms seek UN carbon market cash for old gas plants Fossil fuel companies are eyeing profits in the new United Nations carbon credit market, aiming to sell credits tied to gas power plants constructed over a decade ago. Following the agreement at the Cop28 climate summit, these companies are seeking eligibility for trading their projects in the new global carbon market established under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement. While some projects focus on renewable energy, critics raise concerns about the inclusion of projects supporting natural gas power plants, which contradicts efforts to transition away from fossil fuels. China sets tougher energy efficiency goal after falling behind on 2025 targets China announced stricter energy intensity targets for 2024, aiming to cut energy use per unit of economic growth by 2.5% after missing last year's 2% goal. Despite efforts to reduce emissions and energy consumption, China's rapid industrial and civilian energy consumption growth has hindered progress, prompting the National Development and Reform Commission to vow increased efforts to boost energy efficiency and refine carbon pricing mechanisms. Additionally, China plans to expand its clean energy research and development, particularly in sectors like new energy vehicles and hydrogen power. ? Copyright, CANEECCA This email has been sent to you, because you are a subscriber of CANEECCA From: CAN EECCA Sent: Monday, March 11, 2024 4:00 PM Subject: ?CAN EECCA Newsletter: Women in climate change, Azerbaijani gas for the EU and uranium anxiety -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From enwl at enw.net.ru Thu Mar 14 16:01:21 2024 From: enwl at enw.net.ru (enwl) Date: Thu, 14 Mar 2024 17:01:21 +0400 Subject: *[Enwl-eng] UWEC Work Group Issue # 19 Message-ID: UWEC Work Group Issue # 19 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! Two years have passed since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The war and occupation of Donbas and Crimea, however, began a decade earlier. Naturally, such a protracted conflict negatively affects not only ecosystem protections, but also the development of civil society in the region. These last two years have been the most difficult, and an ?East-West? confrontation may yet develop. Global human society has not known such a degree of tension since, perhaps, the Cold War. In reckoning with the full-scale invasion, the UWEC Work Group editorial team and our experts review the most significant, in their assessment, environmental consequences of the war: a.. Two years of the full scale invasion. Reflections on environmental consequences War has a devastating impact on civil society and community initiatives. While civil society activists have demonstrated a high level of solidarity and the volunteer movement is strong during this full-scale invasion, the fighting is a distraction from important projects and initiatives, including environmental issues. In totalitarian and authoritarian countries such as Russia and Belarus, civic activism is persecuted. And if in Belarus these repressions began in 2020 even before the war, then in Russia repression may still be gaining momentum. Read about the persecution of environmental activists in Russia in 2023 in our analysis of an Ecological Crisis Group report: a.. Environmental activism under attack: Persecution of the environmental movement in Russia One potentially significant consequence of the full-scale invasion could lead to a global energy crisis. Growing divisions of the world into ?West? and ?East? is leading toward a new colonialist race for influence in developing countries. On the one hand, Russia, the European Union, and the United States seek to protect themselves in the context of this growing energy crisis, while on the other, they also want to preserve and develop their regional interests. Investments in large-scale projects are often the result, including, for example, the case of the Rogun hydropower plant in Tajikistan. Read hydropower expert Eugene Simonov?s assessment of the latest developments related to construction of one of the most harmful projects in Central Asia, both in terms of environmental harm and socio-political stability: a.. ?? la guerre comme ? la guerre?: Military geopolitics see return of controversial megaprojects One of UWEC?s most important areas of work is identifying ?green? recovery solutions. Our experts have repeatedly spoken out against the restoration of the Kakhovka dam?s reservoir. Despite that coverage, we have not written much about alternative solutions for the two biggest challenges ? energy and agriculture. In a new article, UWEC Work Group experts share their assessment that modernized irrigation planning and development of a more efficient energy generation system makes it possible to avoid rebuilding the morally- and structurally- obsolete Soviet-era Kakhovka hydropower plant. a.. Rebuilding the Kakhovka Dam is a mistake, but what should be done instead? UWEC Work Group publishes a monthly review of events, projects, and news related to the environmental consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In the latest release, you can learn about several analytical and visualization tools, including Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group?s Biodiversity Viewer. We have also summarized the highlights of an expert discussion broadcast by Ukraine?s Dim TV network on the state of nature reserves and national parks in Ukraine including Viktor Shapoval, director of Askania-Nova Nature Reserve, currently under Russian occupation. Lastly, we also track government and inter-governmental projects focusing on the war?s environmental consequences, such as the ?Environmental Pact for Ukraine,? including assessing the degree to which experts and community organization representatives are able to participate. Read more in this issue: a.. Environmental consequences of the war in Ukraine: February review As always, we monitor the environmental consequences of the invasion on our website, on Twitter (X), and on Facebook and Telegram. We wish you strength and peace! Alexej Ovchinnikov Editor, UWEC Work Group UWEC ? Charnali, 2 ? Charnali 6400 ? Georgia From: UWEC Work Group To: enwl at enw.net.ru Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2024 9:25 AM Subject: UWEC Work Group Issue # 19 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From enwl at enw.net.ru Tue Mar 19 15:23:50 2024 From: enwl at enw.net.ru (ENWL) Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2024 16:23:50 +0400 Subject: *[Enwl-eng] CAN EECCA Newsletter: Foreign agent law in Kyrgyzstan, lithium VS communities and methane emissions Message-ID: <670DDB941F134490A4F1C07C6BE5414E@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 Kyrgyzstan: Parliament adopts contentious foreign agents law without debate In a swift and highly anticipated move, Kyrgyzstan's parliament passed a bill aimed at significantly restricting the activities of NGOs advocating for human rights and independent media. With 66 MPs voting in favor and only five against, the legislation passed its final reading in just seven minutes, prompting concerns about the stifling of civil society and media freedom. Despite international criticism and warnings from organizations such as the OSCE and the US government, the bill is expected to become law once President Sadyr Japarov signs it, leaving affected NGOs with limited time to adapt to the stringent regulations. Irina Ponedelnik: "We do not support the development of nuclear energy as an alternative and are in favor of abandoning it" The UN Economic Commission for Europe's 2024 Forum focuses on strengthening the 2030 sustainable development agenda in the face of multiple crises. Irina Ponedelnik from the Green Network emphasized the need for urgent political action to address climate change and biodiversity loss, abandoning nuclear power in favor of green energy. She also emphasized the importance of including vulnerable groups in decision-making and developing national climate change adaptation plans. Moldova: The government has approved the climate action bill (romanian) The Government members approved a draft law on climate actions aimed at achieving the 2050 climate neutrality objective set forth in the Paris Climate Agreement. This legislation mandates national-level actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with global efforts to limit the rise in average temperature. The draft law also implements monitoring, reporting, and verification systems for various sectors, including aviation and maritime transport. Turkmenistan: Water worry A high-level delegation from Taliban-led Afghanistan visited Turkmenistan, where discussions included the management of water resources, particularly concerning the Qosh-Tepa canal project in Afghanistan, which may divert a significant portion of water from the Amu Darya River. While Turkmenistan urged deeper cooperation based on international norms, Afghanistan proceeded with the canal's construction, potentially impacting regional dynamics and agricultural self-sufficiency. Kyrgyzstan: Remediation of Uranium Mill Tailings Disturbs Local Residents The village of Min-Kush in Kyrgyzstan, once vibrant during the Soviet era, now faces health concerns among its residents possibly due to high radiation exposure from nearby uranium mill tailings. Remediation efforts initiated in 2023 have stirred anxiety among locals, especially regarding the transportation process and potential hazards it may pose to their health. While government assurances emphasize safety measures, ecologists remain skeptical, emphasizing the necessity of thoroughly evaluating the remediation project's impact on residents given the prevalence of toxic substances across numerous mill tailings sites in Kyrgyzstan. Kazakhstan to boost its oil exports via Azerbaijan by 150% KazMunayGas CEO Magzum Mirzagaliyev announced plans to increase Kazakhstan's oil exports through Azerbaijan by 1.5 times, signing an agreement during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's visit to Azerbaijan on March 11. Currently exporting 120,000 tons monthly, Kazakhstan aims to raise this to 180,000 tons per month via Azerbaijan, with potential for additional exports through the Baku-Supsa pipeline. Mirzagaliyev also proposed joint exploration projects to SOCAR and highlighted an expansion project at Tengiz set to increase oil output from 12 million to 39 million tons annually by 2025. The Ambient Air Quality Management Plan of Tbilisi Agglomeration (georgian) Green alternative commented and added recommendations on the working version of the ambient air quality management plan of Tbilisi agglomeration. Against the background of the existing problems in terms of air pollution, the Ambient Air Quality Management Plan of Tbilisi Agglomeration is an important document to overcome the challenges in this direction in the capital. How sand and gravel mining destroys rivers (georgian) Thirteen-year-old Dato Mamuchishvili tragically drowned in the Iori River while attempting to swim with his brother, amidst concerns about the river's altered landscape due to sand-gravel mining. Despite calls for government action to improve safety and protect citizens, environmentalist Rezo Getiashvili notes the lack of systematic response to such incidents, highlighting the need for legal reforms and stricter enforcement to address the exploitation of rivers in Georgia. Investigations reveal ongoing mining activities by companies with expired licenses, raising questions about accountability and environmental damage. COP29 host Azerbaijan signs up to Global Methane Pledge Azerbaijan, set to host COP29 Climate Change Conference, has joined the Global Methane Pledge, aiming to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030. The pledge, initiated by the US and EU at COP26, now includes 155 countries, showcasing global commitment to methane reduction. Azerbaijan's participation reinforces its green-energy partnership and aligns with its NDC goals, positioning it as a responsible contributor to global climate policy. -------------------------------------------------- World Climate News Put Up or Shut Up The International Energy Agency's latest report on methane emissions coincided with announcements from major oil and gas companies revealing rising emissions and the abandonment of climate commitments. The IEA warns that urgent action, including a 75% reduction in methane emissions from fossil fuels by 2030, is necessary to avoid dangerous levels of warming, but current pledges fall short. Despite commitments made at COP28, methane pollution remains a critical challenge, with the fossil fuel industry contributing significantly to global emissions. Native groups sit on a treasure trove of lithium. Now mines threaten their water, culture and wealth In northern Argentina, Irene Leonor Flores de Callata and her indigenous Kolla people navigate a life intricately tied to the search for fresh water in their arid desert surroundings. However, the region's salt flats, rich in lithium?a sought-after resource for green energy solutions?threaten their traditional way of life as mining operations disrupt water sources and ecosystems. As global demand for lithium rises, spurred by initiatives like President Biden's push for electric vehicles and renewable energy, the indigenous communities in the "lithium triangle" grapple with the prospect of losing their essential water resources to industrial extraction processes. Danish company building massive solar farm in Arizona desert As renewable energy sources like solar and wind become increasingly central to the fight against climate change, batteries emerge as crucial components to ensure a steady and reliable power supply. Projects like the massive solar farm in Arizona, equipped with thousands of battery modules, exemplify the growing trend of storing solar energy for use during peak demand periods. Across Europe and the United States, innovative battery technologies such as water, sand, and gravity batteries are being developed to enhance energy storage capabilities and support the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy system. 13 years since Fukushima nuclear disaster: Greenpeace statement Greenpeace Japan marks the 13th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster with condolences to victims and their families. Executive Director Sam Annesley highlights concerns over the government's nuclear policies, citing recent setbacks like the Noto Peninsula Earthquake and emphasizing the need to prioritize renewable energy over nuclear power to ensure safety and sustainable energy in Japan. Annesley calls for a fundamental reassessment of Japan's energy strategy, advocating for the phase-out of nuclear and fossil fuels in favor of renewable energy adoption. Climate Justice Mobilisations on Finance The Climate Justice Finance Mobilisations, happening from April 16-19, 2024, aim to hold governments, banks, and multilateral institutions accountable for their financing practices that contribute to the climate crisis. These mobilisations highlight how money flows perpetuate harmful industries, exacerbate climate disasters, and deepen debt for vulnerable communities. Through various actions and activities, participants demand a shift in financial flows towards community-led climate solutions and just transitions, emphasizing the urgent need for real climate finance and debt cancellation. ? Copyright, CANEECCA This email has been sent to you, because you are a subscriber of CANEECCA From: CAN EECCA Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2024 4:00 PM Subject: CAN EECCA Newsletter: Foreign agent law in Kyrgyzstan, lithium VS communities and methane emissions -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From enwl at enw.net.ru Thu Mar 21 02:23:31 2024 From: enwl at enw.net.ru (ENWL) Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2024 03:23:31 +0400 Subject: *[Enwl-eng] Here is the latest news from the High-Level Champions! Message-ID: UN Global Climate Action 19 March 2024 ? High-Level Champions' Newsletter Building a Low-Carbon, Resilient Future - Stories of Transforming the Built Environment Welcome to the latest UN Climate Change High-Level Champions newsletter. This month we investigate human settlements, from the transformation of sustainable urban development, to boosting climate resilience and alleviating poverty. Our spotlight falls on Roof Over Our Heads, a groundbreaking flagship initiative under the Race to Resilience spearheaded by internationally-renowned community activist, Sheela Patel, to revolutionize informal housing, through scaling resilient, low-carbon, and affordable homes. Roof Over Our Heads is one of many ambitious initiatives and organisations active in the area of human settlements, several of which are recognized as key partners to deliver the 2030 Climate Solutions. We also turn to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where new standards for environmental sustainability and energy efficiency are driving the lion?s share of the country?s decarbonisation. And we bring you the outcomes of the first ever Buildings and Climate Global Forum organised by the French Government and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) with the support of the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC). Read on to learn how these initiatives and others are shaping a new paradigm for resilient and sustainable urban development on a global scale. ?From Overlooked and Informal - to Recognised and Resilient Sheela Patel?s Vision for the Urban Poor Over one billion people worldwide currently live in informal urban settlements, in self-built homes, outside of regulatory frameworks, without formal land tenure. These settlements often lack basic infrastructure such as sanitation, clean water, and electricity, with residents also often facing the constant threat of eviction. With three billion people estimated to need adequate and affordable housing by 2030, and with extreme weather increasing, the situation is extremely urgent for many cities and rural areas, especially those in developing countries. To understand the opportunity to address urban poverty, we spoke to internationally recognised human rights activist, Sheela Patel. Sheela outlines her vision for the Roof Over Our Heads campaign which is helping women leaders from informal settlements to advance resilient, low carbon and affordable homes and solutions for their urban communities - thereby advancing the overall climate resilience of their cities. What is the strategy behind the Roof Over Our Heads campaign? I started working 50 years ago on addressing the challenges of the poorest people living on the sidewalks of Mumbai, which is estimated to be up to half of the population. In examining ways to boost the city?s resilience, we realized that strategies and governance systems designed for the city?s poorest people were vital to meeting the needs of others too. We realized that we should get back to meeting basic needs to advance the overall resilience of cities. Over 90 percent of all people who live informally in the Global South - especially in Asia and Africa - design, finance and construct their own homes. So, many upper echelon solutions, such as fiscal transfers, that we hear about in the world of development never actually reach people living informally - and similar climate adaptation solutions won?t reach them either. To tackle this issue we started Roof Over Our Heads, a campaign focused on delivering resilient, low carbon and affordable homes and improving public infrastructure to the urban poor. A demonstration of the use of recycled and low cost roofing material as part of the ROOH Lab in Surat, India. Our strategy is to coalesce the poorest neighbourhoods, and city planners and construction professionals to identify, design and finance effective physical materials that poor women can use to construct their homes. By making better materials and construction systems available we can ensure that the small amount of money that people spend on their homes produces the most resiliency. In 2023, our first year, we developed a methodology for young construction professionals to work in the poorest neighbourhoods with a cohort of women - to study their houses and create a minimum standard for building materials. This enables us to assess a wide range of materials, ranging from clay tiles to corrugated tin metal sheeting, based on their cost, shelf life, and other markers of effectiveness in protecting people from extreme weather conditions experienced in slums in different climatic zones. At COP 28, global engineering and sustainable development consultancy, Arup announced that it would join the pilot, by helping to expand access to affordable, carbon neutral materials at the Rasulabad, an informal Settlement in Surat, India. Part of Arup?s role in the pilot is to improve housing design to boost energy efficiency and resilience. We aim to create one hundred such labs in about 20 countries, each shaped to tackle critical, local challenges that can be scaled in other regions. The ROOH team from Arup demonstrates the use of discarded plastic bottles as a building material for waterproof, insulated homes. Why the name - ?Roof Over Our Heads?? ?Roof Over Our Heads? comes from one of five key ?wants? that many women leaders in Asia and Africa identified during a series of knowledge-gathering conversations. It?s an expression of women?s basic need for security, and it also talks to the need to adapt home building techniques and materials to withstand climate events, from heat, wind, rain and cyclones. How do you plan to scale the Roof Over Our Heads campaign globally? Last year we finished 17 informal settlements in nine cities in India and documented this in a book that was launched at COP 28. This year, we will continue to develop further India projects, working with local artisans and communities to improve the resilience of homes, using available materials, as well as finding ways to fund new materials. Simultaneously, we are taking the initiative to communities in other countries. The initiative is architected so that the strategic team in India builds the capacity of an anchor team in other countries - essentially training the new trainers. The core teams consist of community leaders, construction professionals and NGOs. We are scaling a project in the Philippines, as well as planning to scale projects in East Africa, MENA, and in Argentina. As we expand, we will examine where there's a spine of solutions which are the same in different countries, as well as learning from specific, localized elements - and so the repertoire of options expands. That's the plan. It's ambitious, but it's based on our belief that by working with a skeletal team, who share all of their findings, we can scale solutions rapidly to meet urgent demand. Real scale comes from fostering exponential multiplier effects, rather than through a linear, command and control approach. Have you any examples of this scalability in action? Yes, one of our India labs is focused on a community of waste pickers in Bangalore. They collect recyclable materials such as paper, plastic, glass, and metal from bins, landfills, and streets. We?re not only helping them to upgrade their own homes with waste materials production, but also creating an income generating activity for them. Also, many of the materials that poor people use for their homes are purchased from waste pickers, so we can have a wider influence on informal communities that they come into contact with. Waste pickers operate within a huge network, so through this pilot we can have a major impact. Through the lab, we?re learning the importance of relationships and trust, for example, working with the waste picker community, who not only face precarious conditions, health risks, but also social stigma. We navigate difficult spaces such as this with a commitment to simplicity, a lack of complications - and by focusing on our core priority - to enable very poor women to assess the resilience of their homes and take action. What makes you optimistic that we can build a fair and resilient world? You just have to meet a bunch of very poor women, and see their ability to just carry on - and cope, manage and nurture - to make you feel optimistic. We talk about doom and gloom sitting in our comfortable middle class homes. But women in poverty face real doom and gloom every day. Some have had to migrate to cities where they don't know the language, living in difficult conditions and scavenging to survive. What can they do? They cannot just stop. They have to do something. So, they try out different ways forward. Women like these are thirsty to understand how to do things differently, how they can do better for their families. We can all draw real inspiration from that. Click here for the full interview and a video recording of our conversation with Sheela Patel. UAE Launches Blueprint for Sustainable Built Environment Masdar City, Abu Dhabi - one of the world?s most sustainable cities. In the UAE, the buildings sector is responsible for 27 percent of the country?s greenhouse gas emissions, making this a critical sector for the country?s decarbonisation. Indeed, the UAE climate plan (NDC) includes a commitment to reduce emissions in the building sector by 56% by 2030. That?s why, a group of key UAE property developers, led by the Emirates Green Building Council (EGBC) and the UN Climate Change High-Level-High Champion for COP 28, Her Excellency Razan Al Mubarak, recently launched The UAE Sustainability Built Environment Blueprint. The report maps the key challenges facing the buildings sector and the enablers needed for it to spearhead the UAE?s net zero pathway, including policies and regulations; building materials; finance; data and skills. The blueprint, which is endorsed by the UAE Ministries for Energy & Infrastructure and Climate Change & Environment, has been designed to provide the UAE and governments elsewhere with the confidence to shape a supportive, regulatory policy and finance environment for decarbonising the buildings sector. Speaking at a COP 28 meeting of the UAE Developers Leaders Group, the High-Level Champion, said: ?The buildings and construction sector finds itself at the nexus of both the challenge and solution of climate change. The partnership between business and government is fundamental to our collective success and holds the potential to bring about rapid and meaningful transformation.? Beyond the UAE, further clear signals of change in the building sector recently emerged, with the European Parliament voting through the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The critical new rules to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from buildings provide businesses with the market certainty to invest in the opportunities of the transition over coming decades. Report Bridges the Gap between Business and the Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda A new report, co-created by the High-Level Champions and PwC, presents a clear pathway for business to advance its adaptive capacity and resilience through the Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda. The report finds that to date, action on adaptation is lagging compared to that on mitigation, especially in the private sector. It sets out the opportunities for sectors ranging from food and agriculture, health, water and nature, to human settlements. The former High-Level Champion, Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, who was one of the key initiators of the Sharm El-Sheik Adaptation Agenda, said: ?COP28 built on the successes of COP27, agreeing on a Global Goal on Adaptation through the adoption of ?The UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience? and operationalising the Loss and Damage Fund. We now need to mobilise the needed action among both governments and non-state actors to translate the various commitments and outcomes made at COP 28 into real deliverables on the ground.? Declaration Signed at Buildings and Climate Global Forum For the first time, 70 governments from across the globe have agreed on a plan to address the climate impact of the building and construction sectors. In the Declaration de Chaillot, signed at the recent Buildings and Climate Global Forum, ministers agreed to engage key players across the supply chain and pledged to utilise international forums such as the G7, G20, G77, and UNFCCC COPs to further incorporate the specific issues of construction and buildings. In addition, an ?Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate? coordinated by the GlobalABC was established to facilitate and monitor the implementation of the goals of the Declaration. In this context, it is also worth mentioning UNEP and GlobalABC?s report on the Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, reviewing the policies, technologies, and finance while monitoring the overall alignment of the building and construction sector with the Paris Agreement goals. According to the IPCC, the building and construction sector is responsible for 21% of global greenhouse gas emissions. But what does transitioning the built environment look like in Africa where many reside in informal settlements? How can it support the continent?s development agenda whilst meeting the needs of an urban population expected to rise to 1.6 billion by 2030? We spoke to Hon. Nasra Nanda, CEO and ESG lead at the Kenya Green Building Society and Chair, Africa Regional Network at the World Green Building Council. Read the full interview here. Race to Resilience Update: Race to Resilience partner initiative awarded World Habitat Award for early- warning tool A weather forecasting and early warning system for residents of informal settlements, which is known as Developing Risk Awareness through Joint Action (DARAJA) has been awarded a World Habitat Award for its innovative approach to protecting vulnerable communities. Race to Resilience Transformation Partner, Resurgence founded the initiative in Kenya and Tanzania in 2008, to provide reliable weather information in easy-to-understand formats. The service also encourages people to carry out repairs to their homes and public spaces to minimize weather-related damage. It is estimated that the data provided by DARAJA has led to a 300% increase in household repairs made in response to weather forecasts in Nairobi, and a 122% increase in Dar es Salaam. International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure launches Advocacy Positions for Funding and Financing Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure The position paper supports the unlocking of funding for equitable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure across the globe; prioritising infrastructure that delivers positive outcomes for people and the planet. Race to Zero Update: Partner Updates: SBTi releases new beyond value chain mitigation guidance. See the ?Design and Implementation of Beyond Value Chain Mitigation? report and ?Raising the Bar on Beyond Value Chain Mitigation (BVCM)? report. Toolbox for accelerating adoption and implementation of Beyond Value Chain Mitigation (BVCM). Japan Climate Initiative proposed the Introduction of Carbon Pricing at the International Level to Minister for Regulatory Reform, Taro Kono. Exponential Roadmap Initiative is seeking feedback on its principles for defining and qualifying ?Climate Solutions?. Planet Mark, a founding member of the Carbon Accounting Alliance, a coalition to promote best practice and robust standards on carbon accounting, has published a ?Net Zero: Everything Business Needs to Know? guide. Accelerators Updates: ? SUCCA Africa Joins Race to Zero! Race to Zero is thrilled to welcome its first Africa-based Accelerator, management consulting firm, SUCCA Africa, to engage businesses in West Africa and beyond. ? Climate Action for Associations welcomes Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association to their membership, to help their members transition to net zero. ? WBCSD unveils the Built Environment Market Transformation Action Agenda during Buildings and Climate Global Forum. ? Giki has released a ?Sustainability Services Ecosystem Map? to help sustainability professionals navigate a fast-changing landscape Member Updates: Unilever, member of Exponential Roadmap Initiative, recently reviewed its 27 industry associations alongside the release of an updated Climate Transition Action Plan. Their review of industry associations revealed that eight have no public record of meaningful climate policy engagement with governments, four have low engagement and eight are misaligned with Unilever in one or more of their priority policy areas. Read on here and find Race to Zero?s 5th P (Persuade) resources here. Applications open for 2024 Climate Ambition Accelerator Do you work for a company that is preparing to set a climate commitment? Applications are now open for the UN Global Compact?s Climate Ambition Accelerator. The six-month programme is designed to equip companies with the knowledge and skills that they need to accelerate progress towards setting science-based emissions reduction targets, aligned with the 1.5? pathway, setting them on a path towards net zero emissions by 2050. Last year?s Climate Ambition Accelerator set a new programme record, drawing around 1,990 participants from more than 1,000 organizations across the globe. Now in its fourth year, the latest Accelerator offers the guidance and tools that businesses need to accelerate progress towards setting science-based emissions targets and transitioning to net zero emissions by 2050. In case you missed it ? H.E. Razan Al Mubarak?s keynote speech at Economist Sustainability Week on 4 March on mobilising stronger and more ambitious global climate action through multi-level partnerships both locally and globally. ? The world?s largest land conference took place in Zambia on 11-15 March. Hosted by the Global EverGreening Alliance, the Government of Zambia, AFR100, African Natural Capital Alliance (ANCA), FSD Africa, and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the Accelerating Nature Based Solutions Conference set out to advance nature based solutions as a vital tool in climate action. Until recently, the value of nature has been unrecognised and underpriced thereby actively incentivising its destruction. We spoke to Irene Ojuok, Ambassador, Global Evergreening Alliance and specialist in FMNR (Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration) from the conference about the potential of a ?bioeconomy? and the importance of nature-rich countries leading the conversation. ? The co-chairs of the Sharm el-Sheikh Mitigation Ambition and Implementation Work Programme announced on 1 March that the 2024 global dialogues under the work programme will focus on ?Cities: buildings and urban systems.? The High-Level Champions have been encouraged by Parties to support the effective participation of non-Party stakeholder experts and financiers in the dialogues and investment-focused events. In preparation, non-State actors are encouraged to share their views on opportunities, best practices, actionable solutions, challenges and barriers, and incentives and national policy approaches relevant to the above topic, ideally by 31 March 2024, for the first global dialogue and by 31 July 2024 for the second global dialogue, respectively. Additionally, non-State actors are also invited to provide submissions for other workstreams, including the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG), the Sharm el-Sheikh dialogue, or the implementation of the Gender Action Plan. You can also consult the list of all calls for submissions from COP 28. ? The third edition of the UNEA-6 Cities and Regions Summit was held as an associated event with the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), where participants discussed various ways of boosting multi-level governance and urban financing. ? In a new report titled CO2 Emissions in 2023 by the IEA, a snapshot of all energy-related emissions in 2023 has been presented. Furthermore, IEA has published the first edition of the Clean Energy Market Monitor; the series aims to provide a high-level overview of the development and deployment of clean energy technologies. Mark Your Calendar ? Global Methane Forum 2024, 18-21 March, Geneva, Switzerland ? Aligning Policy Engagement with Net Zero (a spotlight on Brazil), 19 March, Virtual ? Launch of the Corporate Climate Resilience Pathways: Catalyzing Private Sector Action, 21 March, UK ? International Renewable Energy Conference 2024, 8-12 April, Adelaide, Australia ? 2024 Ocean Decade Conference, 10-12 April, Barcelona, Spain ? UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, 23rd Session, 15-26 April, New York, USA ? Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, 16-18 April, Abu Dhabi, UAE ? World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings, 19-21 April, Washington, D.C., USA ? World Energy Congress, 22-25 April, Rotterdam, Netherlands ? IEA Global Summit on People-Centred Clean Energy Transitions, 26 April, Paris, France ? IEA Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa, 14 May, Paris, France ? World Water Forum, 18-25 May, Bali, Indonesia ? International Transport Forum 2024 Summit, 22-24 May, Leipzig, Germany ? 60th Sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies, 3 -13 June, Bonn, Germany ? Daring Cities 2023, TBC, in conjunction with SB 60, Bonn, Germany ? Sustainable Energy for All Global Forum, 4-6 June Bridgetown, Barbados ? 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 ? World Water Week 2024, 25-29 August, Stockholm, Sweden ? 79th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), 24-27 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, 53113 Germany Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by globalclimateaction at unfccc.int From: Global Climate Action Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2024 5:19 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 Mon Mar 25 17:49:20 2024 From: enwl at enw.net.ru (enwl) Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2024 18:49:20 +0400 Subject: *[Enwl-eng] CAN EECCA Newsletter: Attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, preservation of the Aral Sea and promises before COP29 Message-ID: <1ED1DCB4CAB049898603804CDD4CE98F@evol.sp.ru> 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 Putin bombards Ukraine but US tells Kyiv to stop targeting Russian oil In a recent barrage, Moscow targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure with cruise missiles, resulting in widespread power outages in cities such as Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa. Amidst this escalation, Washington has urged Ukraine to cease drone strikes on Russian oil refineries, citing concerns over potential disruptions in global oil markets. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has called for increased military aid from allies while emphasizing the need for air defense systems to protect critical infrastructure. Tajikistan: solar energy to help HPPs There is a shortage of solar resources in Tajikistan, which hinders solar energy development and investment attraction, especially in the context of persistent energy shortages and a crisis in the country's electricity system. Rising temperatures and changes in precipitation have an acute impact on the hydropower system, which is responsible for more than 95% of electricity generation. While the country has huge potential for solar energy, more government support and investment in alternative energy sources is needed to ensure continued access to electricity for residents. How does the wind rose affect air pollution in Tashkent? In Tashkent, economic growth and a construction boom have led to changes in urban architecture, but failure to respect the wind rose in the construction of high-rise buildings is worsening the environmental situation. A proposed draft general plan for the capital, approved in 2023, envisages the creation of a new city of New Tashkent to address housing and infrastructure. Despite the efforts of the authorities and the concerns of the population, the issue of air pollution remains relevant due to insufficient consideration of wind patterns in urban planning and technical aspects of construction. American Student Tells How and Why She Planted Haloxylon on the Bottom of the Aral Sea in Kazakhstan Carolina Solomon, a student from the United States, talks about her participation in an environmental action to restore the Aral Sea ecosystem, where she and other volunteers planted 5,100 saxaul seedlings at the bottom of the Aral Sea. For three days, the volunteers traveled through the Kyzylorda region of Kazakhstan, immersing themselves in unique landscapes and carrying out a charitable mission. Their efforts are intended to help preserve the natural wealth and prevent the recurrence of similar environmental disasters. ?As Cop29 president, I will build bridges between the diverging north and south to keep 1.5C in reach? - Mukhtar Babayev Last year witnessed record highs in electric vehicle usage and global electricity generation from coal in 2023, driven by increased demand and geopolitical conflicts. To meet 1.5C climate goals, there's an urgent need for synchronized shifts towards clean energy consumption and production, necessitating continuity in international agreements like Cop29 in Azerbaijan to ensure effective implementation. Azerbaijan's Cop presidency aims to bridge the gap between industrialized and developing nations, emphasizing green technology transfer and ambitious post-conflict renewable energy projects as part of its transition strategy. Ukraine: Young European Ambassadors organise environmental academy in Sumy Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) from Ukraine organized a 'Green Restoration Academy' in the Sumy region to address the environmental impact of Russia's war, engaging participants in discussions about ecocide awareness and EU-supported environmental projects during conflict. Despite security concerns, the academy successfully combined online and in-person sessions, facilitating dialogue on environmental issues and EU cooperation in green restoration efforts in Ukraine. The initiative, led by YEAs Nataliia Yaroshenko and Daryna Lynnyk, underscores the importance of raising awareness about war's environmental consequences and fostering youth engagement in promoting sustainable policies and practices. Caspian energy roundup: Baku prospects for investment to realize energy-export plans Azerbaijan stands to benefit from shifting dynamics in the Caspian Basin energy market amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, particularly regarding oil exports previously reliant on Russian transit routes. Kazakhstan's quest for alternative export routes has led to expanded agreements with Azerbaijan, including utilizing the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, indicating Baku's potential as a strategic energy hub. Furthermore, Azerbaijan is exploring opportunities in natural gas transit, aiming to increase volume through agreements with Turkmenistan and Turkey, while also prioritizing renewable energy development to meet domestic needs and potentially supply Europe, backed by international investment and EU cooperation. -------------------------------------------------- World Climate News Oil Execs Drink Their Own Kool-Aid, Talk Down the ?Fantasy? of Fast Energy Transition At the CERAWeek conference in Houston, oil and gas industry executives downplayed the urgency of the energy transition, emphasizing continued reliance on fossil fuels despite mounting climate concerns. Media coverage challenged industry narratives, highlighting contradictory statements amidst growing scientific evidence of climate change impacts. Critics underscored the need for a transition to renewables, contrasting industry perspectives with calls for urgent action to curb greenhouse gas emissions. UN?s climate body faces ?severe financial challenges? which put work at risk UNFCCC chief Simon Stiell urgently appeals for increased funding from governments to address severe financial challenges facing the climate body. With less than half of its budget currently funded, the UNFCCC risks being unable to fulfill its expanding workload, including critical activities mandated by countries. Despite repeated pleas and warnings, the organization remains heavily reliant on voluntary donations, prompting concerns about its long-term sustainability and ability to support essential climate negotiations and initiatives. US surprised about Cop troika 'vision' on finance, NDCs The US expressed concern today over certain elements in the "vision" presented by the Cop presidencies Troika, consisting of the UAE, Azerbaijan, and Brazil, regarding ongoing negotiations on a new global finance goal for developing nations. The Troika's proposal suggests reframing ambition in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to include finance for developing countries, a stance deemed inconsistent with the Paris Agreement by the US delegate. Additionally, the vision emphasizes the importance of high ambition NDCs incorporating finance, technology, and capacity-building resources for developing countries, further reflecting ongoing discussions surrounding climate finance ahead of Cop 29. AI robots are patrolling Dutch tulip fields to root out viruses In the Netherlands, tulip fields were under threat from viruses until Theo, an AI robot, was introduced to monitor and protect the flowers. Named after a retired employee, Theo roams the fields, using cameras and AI to detect diseased tulips, preventing the spread of viruses. As part of efforts to combat the tulip-breaking virus, 45 robots patrol fields across the country, providing precision agriculture and reducing reliance on human labor. Eleven pro-nuclear member states back declaration at landmark conference A Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels saw EU leaders from 11 member states endorsing a declaration supporting nuclear power, aiming to attract financing for new and existing plants. The declaration emphasized the need to fully unlock the potential of nuclear energy and enable financing conditions for extending the lifetime of existing reactors. A Journey of Resilience: Taking the climate fight to the International Court of Justice "Noqu mata vuvale" holds a profound significance in Fijian culture, symbolizing the warmth and inclusivity of welcoming someone into the family fold. Originating from a small group of Pacific Island law students, the movement has evolved into a global effort, emphasizing the urgent need for evidence-based advocacy and celebrating recent victories, such as Australia's commitment to submit to the ICJ. Looking forward, envision a future where voices from all corners of the globe converge to safeguard the planet for future generations. ? Copyright, CANEECCA This email has been sent to you, because you are a subscriber of CANEECCA From: CAN EECCA Sent: Monday, March 25, 2024 4:00 PM Subject: CAN EECCA Newsletter: Attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, preservation of the Aral Sea and promises before COP29 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From enwl at enw.net.ru Thu Mar 28 14:54:30 2024 From: enwl at enw.net.ru (ENWL) Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2024 15:54:30 +0400 Subject: *[Enwl-eng] Evolution and sustainability Message-ID: Evolution and sustainability: http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb/379/1893 PS ??????????, ????????? ????? ?????????? ? ???? ?? ???????????? ??? ???? (? ?? ?????? ?? ??? - ???? ??????) ?? 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