*[Enwl-eng] CAN EECCA Newsletter: Russian pressure in EECCA, small grant program and highway perils in Georgia

Mon May 6 14:38:58 MSK 2024

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                                Climate Action Network
                                Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia

                                 Digest of news on climate change, energy issues
                                 
                             
                                www.caneecca.org
                                 
                             
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                                Regional Climate News 
                                 
                             
                                CAN EECCA statement on the Law on Foreign Agents
                                The tightening of legislation concerning financial transparency for NGOs and media in EECCA has led to significant repercussions for civil society and democratic processes, prompting international concern. Russia's "foreign agent" law, mirrored by other countries, has targeted NGOs involved in democracy-building, human rights, and environmental protection, affecting not only organizations but also residents. As the climate crisis necessitates civil society involvement in climate policy, restrictions on democratic freedoms hinder the EECCA countries' ability to adapt to forthcoming disasters, emphasizing the crucial role of strong democracies in addressing climate change and ensuring sustainable development.   

                                CAN EECCA announces mini-grants program to support members in 2024
                                CAN EECCA launches a mini-grant program to support CSOs in the region. The main objectives of the program include strengthening the capacity of CSOs in climate activism, promoting innovation and cooperation, and strengthening civil society voices. The program will provide up to 2000 euros to four organizations, supporting projects that promote sustainable development and cooperation in the EECCA region.  

                                EU purchases of laundered Russian oil worth an estimated €1.1 billion to the Kremlin in 2023
                                Despite sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, Russian oil continues to flow into the EU, with an estimated €1.1 billion in direct tax revenues going to the Kremlin from EU imports of refined products made from Russian crude. This loophole in EU sanctions allows refineries outside of the bloc to process discounted Russian crude into refined oil products, which are then legally sold to embargoing jurisdictions like the EU. This has enabled Russian fuel to enter not only the EU but also the UK and the US, exacerbating the conflict in Ukraine by providing significant revenue to the Kremlin, which can be used to fund further military aggression.

                                The promise and perils of Georgia’s East–West Highway project
                                The village of Khevi, nestled amidst the Likhi Range in Georgia, faces environmental and safety challenges due to the construction of the Rikoti section of the East-West Highway. This highway, a vital link between eastern and western Georgia, has been plagued by controversies and delays, with landslides and safety concerns overshadowing its promised benefits of improved travel times and capacity. Critics have raised questions about the quality of construction practices and the selection of routes, highlighting the potential dangers posed by the linear infrastructure project.

                                Turkmenistan’s natural gas exports to China outearn Russia’s supplies
                                In 2024, Gazprom boasted surpassing Turkmenistan as China's top gas supplier by volume, yet Ashgabat still leads in export earnings. Turkmenistan's income from gas exports to China during the first quarter amounted to $2.4 billion, while Russia earned $2 billion for the same period due to China's preference for cheaper Russian gas amid the Kremlin's financial constraints. Despite Russia's current volume advantage, its position may be precarious as Turkmenistan plans to expand its gas fields and capacity, aiming to supply major projects like the TAPI pipeline.

                                What Pollutes the Air the Most in Tajikistan?
                                Over the past 10 years, the amount of harmful emissions in Tajikistan has almost doubled, mainly due to the transportation sector. Experts suggest developing "green" public transportation, given that the main source of air pollution is transportation, which emits carbon monoxide from incomplete combustion of fuel. To improve the situation, they suggest expanding the network of monitoring stations, developing specific emission reduction plans and encouraging the use of public transport, renewable energy sources, as well as energy efficiency and waste recycling programs.

                                Investigation: How Kazakhstan Tries To Make Up Water Shortage By Billions in Investments
                                Water shortages in some regions of Kazakhstan are becoming commonplace, despite catastrophic floods in spring. The state is increasing spending to maintain water availability in the country's three largest rivers, having allocated more than 30 billion tenge over the past 10 years. However, the reduction of water flow in the rivers is observed, which has a negative impact on the economy and ecology of the regions, and the issue of water supply remains relevant. 

                                "Radiation paired with lying, stupidity and closure are completely incompatible things": scientist on decontamination
                                Belarus is closely connected with the history of uranium mining, which began in the ore mountains on the border of East Germany and the Czech Republic back in the 19th century. After the capture of the famous German company Wismut by Soviet troops in the 1950s, uranium ore arrived in Brest for transit to the Soviet Union. However, it was not until after the Chernobyl accident in 1986 that people began to realize the dangers of radiation, finding uranium contamination and its decay products in the city.

                                Amnesty - humanitarian action or land grab?
                                The Georgian parliament passed the law "On Amnesty" on November 15, 2023, exempting from criminal liability persons who have formalized state-owned agricultural land plots. However, political analysts have raised concerns that this law could be used to legalize land confiscation from citizens and suppress their legitimate demands. An essay published by the Heinrich Böll Foundation examines disputes over land rights and suggests criminalizing citizens to easily seize land for investment and other interests.

                                Kazakhstan: How Ecoactivists Should Protect Their Ideals Without Turning Society and Business Against Themselves
                                Eco-activists in Almaty clashed with the Forum shopping mall over plans to create a cat figure made of biodegradable balloons, sparking a dispute over the environmental acceptability of the event. After pressure from activists, the mall stated that all balloons used for the figure were biodegradable, but activists continued to campaign against the project. Eventually, construction was halted after the conflict escalated, sparking a wave of negative comments and accusations.
                                 
                             
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                                World Climate News
                                 
                             
                                The world’s most advanced economies just agreed to end coal use by 2035 – with a catch
                                The Group of Seven nations recently committed to phasing out existing unabated coal power generation in their energy systems during the first half of the 2030s, with an aim to end the use of "unabated" coal by 2035, but allowing flexibility for countries to adjust their timelines based on their net-zero pathways. Despite the caveats, the agreement marks a breakthrough in climate policy after years of negotiations, although some experts argue that the 2035 deadline is too late to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, urging for more ambitious targets to align with climate goals. 

                                Battery costs have dropped 90% in under 15 years giving renewables a boost, new IEA report reveals
                                To meet the 2030 energy targets, global storage capacity must increase sixfold, with batteries leading the charge due to their plummeting costs, as reported by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Battery deployment surged in 2023, with significant growth in both the power sector and electric vehicle market, positioning batteries as pivotal to achieving renewable energy goals and decarbonizing transportation. The IEA's analysis underscores the importance of scaling up battery production and ensuring diversified supply chains to maintain energy security and meet ambitious climate targets, with G7 leaders committing to a new global energy storage target aligned with these goals.

                                How does EU climate policy actually impact your life?
                                The European Green Deal and EU initiatives like low emission zones impact citizens' daily lives, especially concerning air quality and transportation in urban areas. These zones, increasingly common across Europe, aim to reduce pollution by restricting or charging older, more polluting vehicles from entering cities. Despite their health and environmental benefits, low emission zones face opposition, highlighting debates over personal freedom versus the common good and serving as a microcosm of broader discussions around EU policies like the European Green Deal.

                                The Plastic Industry’s Latest Delay Tactic: “Plastic Offsets”
                                Plastic pollution has reached alarming levels, prompting the United Nations to consider action due to its environmental impact and significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. However, instead of seeking viable alternatives, fossil fuel and chemical companies are exploring plastic-offset credits, akin to carbon offsets, which allow them to continue plastic production while claiming to mitigate its environmental harm. Yet, the efficacy of such credits is questionable, given the failures and controversies surrounding carbon offset markets, raising concerns about their ability to address the plastic pollution crisis effectively.

                                Taxing big fossil fuel firms ‘could raise $900bn in climate finance by 2030’
                                A proposed tax on fossil fuel companies operating in OECD countries could generate significant revenue to support vulnerable nations in addressing the climate crisis, potentially raising $720 billion by 2030, according to the Climate Damages Tax report. Advocates argue that such a tax, administered within existing systems, would be a fair and effective way for developed nations to fulfill their commitment to funding climate mitigation efforts. Backed by numerous climate organizations globally, the proposal aims to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for its role in exacerbating the climate emergency while providing essential financial support to communities most affected by its impacts.
                                 
                             
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                        From: CAN EECCA 
                        Sent: Monday, May 06, 2024 4:00 PM
                        Subject: CAN EECCA Newsletter: Russian pressure in EECCA, small grant program and highway perils in Georgia

                       
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