*[Enwl-eng] CAN EECCA Newsletter: A Solution from Kyrgyz Women, the EU Without Russian Gas, and Networking Ahead of COP29
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Tue Oct 22 14:16:06 MSK 2024
Climate Activism and Green Transition in EECCA
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Climate Change and Energy News: Weekly
Digest by CAN EECCA
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Dear subscribers,
We’re excited to bring you the latest
updates on the energy transition and climate adaptation across our region.
This edition highlights key events and
insights we found noteworthy. If there’s something important we missed, we’d
love to hear from you—your feedback is always welcome.
Be sure to check out our section on ongoing
opportunities and access the last three editions at the end of the digest.
Stay informed with the latest climate news
with us,
Aliya, CAN EECCA Communications Coordinator
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News from the EECCA Region
President of Kazakhstan Signs Law to Support
Renewable Energy Usage
The President of Kazakhstan has signed a law
to promote renewable energy sources and advance the country's energy sector.
The law introduces the concept of "small-scale RES facilities" with
capacities up to 200 kW, allowing these units to generate electricity and
heat for personal use, while selling any excess energy. Additionally, the
law streamlines grid access for small-scale RES and establishes clear
guidelines for energy supply companies to purchase surplus electricity.
Moldova's Ministry of Energy Will Invest
$55M in the Energy Efficiency of Public Buildings (RO)
Moldova's Ministry of Energy will invest $55
mln over the next five years to improve energy efficiency in public
buildings, with the goal of reducing energy consumption by up to 65%. The
project, supported by a loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction
and Development, includes renovations for 46 schools, such as thermal
insulation, heating upgrades, and the installation of photovoltaic panels
and heat pumps. This initiative will improve learning and teaching
conditions for approximately 46,000 students and staff.
Kyrgyz Women-led Initiative Addresses Land
Degradation and Economic Hardship, UNCCD Reports
A new report by the UNCCD and FAO showcases
a Kyrgyzstan initiative where women cultivate medicinal herbs to combat land
degradation and economic hardship. This project not only restores degraded
lands but also provides sustainable income for vulnerable women in remote
regions. The initiative emphasizes the importance of women's land rights for
achieving food security and highlights their leadership in addressing
climate challenges.
How Much Do Dust and Sand Storms Cost
Tajikistan? (RU)
Dust and sand storms in Tajikistan have
become much more frequent, yet their economic impact remains largely
underassessed. These storms cause significant damage to agriculture, public
health, and infrastructure, but their full effect on the national economy is
not well understood. Experts stress the urgent need for better monitoring
and stronger international cooperation to develop effective strategies for
mitigating their consequences and protecting the population.
Armenia to Outline Greenhouse Gas Reduction
and Climate Adaptation Steps in 2025
Armenia is set to outline specific steps to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate risks by mid-2025.
These actions will focus on addressing significant climate risks, especially
in local communities. Donor organisations stress the importance of community
involvement in implementing these climate policies, with a particular
emphasis on developing localized action plans and reviving Aarhus Centers
for better climate risk management.
Uzbekistan Assesses Potential Sites for
Small Nuclear Power Plants (RU)
Uzbekistan has completed preliminary
assessments of 14 potential sites for building small nuclear power plants.
Detailed studies of these sites are planned to advance the development of
small reactors, which could be used for both electricity generation and
various industrial applications. The project aims to bolster the nation's
energy security and decrease its reliance on fossil fuels.
"EU Can Live Without Russian Gas," Says
European Energy Commissioner
On 15 October, the EU Energy Council
discussed Ukraine's energy situation and the EU's readiness to stop
importing Russian gas. European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson stated that
the EU is prepared for the gas transit agreement to expire by the end of
2024, with alternative supply routes and LNG (liquefied natural gas)
terminals ready to replace Russian gas. She emphasized that continuing to
import Russian gas is a dangerous political choice.
"Green Era in Azerbaijan's Energy Sector" –
Article by Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov (AZ)
On October 20, in honor of Energy Workers'
Day, the Azerbaijan newspaper published an article by Minister of Energy,
Parviz Shahbazov, titled "The Green Era in Azerbaijan’s Energy Sector." The
article highlights Azerbaijan's efforts to transition to green energy,
including the development of renewable energy and strategic plans for
sustainable energy growth. Shahbazov also emphasized Azerbaijan's role as
the host of COP29, which, in his view, reflects the country’s leadership in
global climate initiatives and its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas
emissions.
Ukraine's Ministry of Environment Signs
Memorandum on Just Transition for Coal Regions (UA)
The Ministry of Environmental Protection and
Natural Resources of Ukraine, together with several government bodies and
international partners, has signed a memorandum to advance the just
transition of coal-dependent regions. Despite the ongoing war, Ukraine is
committed to reducing emissions and supporting local communities through the
shift to alternative energy sources. The memorandum focuses on economic
development, social support, and environmental solutions for areas affected
by the declining coal industry.
"Introduction to Climate Law" by Elena
Laevskaya — Now Available for Free Online (RU)
The latest book by Belarusian author and PhD
in Law, Elena Laevskaya, is now available to the public online, free of
charge. This 2024 publication from Minsk delves into the legal frameworks
governing climate policy, covering international, regional, and national
climate regimes. It places particular focus on Belarusian climate
legislation, climate justice, and emerging judicial practices in climate
litigation.
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World Climate and Energy News
WWF’s Living Planet Report 2024 Warns of
Accelerating Biodiversity Loss and Approaching Tipping Points
The 2024 Living Planet Report from WWF
reveals that wildlife populations have declined by an average of 73%
globally since 1970, with the most significant losses in freshwater species.
The report highlights alarming biodiversity loss and warns of impending
ecological tipping points that could lead to irreversible damage if current
trends persist. WWF calls for urgent systemic changes to protect ecosystems,
emphasizing the need for transformation in food, energy, and finance systems
to mitigate climate change and halt the destruction of nature.
The Money Is There to Meet Global
Biodiversity Targets: CAN COP16 Expectations
Finance is at the forefront of the upcoming
UN biodiversity summit (COP16) in Cali, Colombia, focusing on the
implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. CAN
calls for ambitious national-level actions, aligning biodiversity and
climate plans while integrating a human-rights approach and addressing
systemic issues like debt and tax justice. With political will, Global North
countries could provide the necessary $20 billion annually by 2025 and at
least $30 billion annually by 2030, essential to achieving global
biodiversity targets.
Not One Country Is Doing Enough to Provide
Clean, Accessible, and Affordable Energy
Climate Action Network’s latest Renewable
Energy Tracker Report shows that no country is doing enough to provide
clean, accessible, and affordable energy, putting the goal of 100% renewable
energy by 2050 out of reach. Renewable energy remains concentrated in a few
wealthy countries, leaving millions, particularly in rural areas, reliant on
harmful energy sources. Barriers such as debt, high capital costs, and
limited financing are preventing developing nations from growing their own
renewable energy capacity.
Ukraine “Built More Wind Farms Than Wales”
Amid War
Despite being at war, Ukraine has built more
onshore wind capacity than Wales, according to an industry report. While
Ukraine's Tyligulska wind plant powers 200,000 homes, Wales has installed
only four mini turbines in 2023. RenewableUK Cymru warns that without urgent
action, Wales risks falling behind in meeting clean energy targets.
Trees and Land Absorbed Almost No CO2 Last
Year. Is Nature’s Carbon Sink Failing?
In 2023, the absorption of CO2 by natural
carbon sinks, such as trees and land, sharply declined, raising concerns
that these critical systems are breaking down. Scientists are increasingly
worried that if this trend continues, it could accelerate global heating
beyond current climate model predictions. The collapse of natural carbon
sinks has not been adequately accounted for in most climate models,
highlighting the need for urgent action to protect and restore ecosystems
while cutting fossil fuel emissions.
“NDC Engagement Made Simple.” A Handbook for
Policy and Advocacy Experts Working on National Climate Plans
This handbook, prepared by the NDC
Transparency Initiative, provides a framework for civil society and policy
experts to engage with governments on Nationally Determined Contributions
(NDCs), which countries will update in 2025 as part of the Paris Agreement.
It emphasizes the need for urgent domestic action to reduce emissions,
enhance resilience, and address key drivers of climate change, such as
fossil fuels and deforestation.
From Taking Stock to Taking Action. How to
Implement the COP28 Energy Goal – New Report by International Energy Agency
At COP28, nearly 200 countries pledged to
achieve a net zero energy system by 2050, including goals such as tripling
renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030. These
measures, if fully implemented, could cut global emissions significantly,
keeping the path to limiting warming to 1.5°C open. The success of COP28’s
ambitious targets relies heavily on global cooperation, investment in
infrastructure like grids and storage, and ensuring that countries act
quickly to implement comprehensive energy transitions, according to the new
IEA report.
China Establishes New Centrally Administered
SOE on Resource-Recycling
China has established the China Resources
Recycling Group Co., Ltd., a new state-owned enterprise focused on resource
recycling and reuse. One of the key areas the company will address is the
recycling of decommissioned wind power and photovoltaic equipment, crucial
for supporting China's renewable energy transition.
Lithuania to Launch Mobile App for Tracking
Radiation Hazards (RU)
Lithuania is set to launch a mobile app for
monitoring radiation hazards, offering real-time information on radiation
levels and nearby monitoring stations based on users' locations. The app's
development was driven by concerns over the Belarusian nuclear power plant
and the Russian military's seizure of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Funded by the Lithuanian government, the app is expected to be released in
2025.
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Opportunities
Call for Project Proposals: Communication
Campaigns on Renewable Energy in Central Asia
Climate Action Network EECCA, in partnership
with CEE Bankwatch Network, is offering grants to CAN EECCA member NGOs in
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan to develop communication
campaigns promoting renewable energy. The funding, ranging from EUR 3,000 to
5,000, will support campaigns addressing topics like dispelling myths about
non-renewable energy, highlighting the financial benefits of renewables, and
exposing fossil fuel dependency. Member NGOs are encouraged to submit
proposals by October 24, 2024, with campaigns to be implemented between
November 2024 and February 2025.
Navigating COP29 – Networking Session Ahead
of the Baku Climate Summit
Join our Zoom call on October 25 for climate
journalists and communicators attending COP29, or those simply interested in
climate reporting. In this session, we will talk how to prepare for and what
to expect from the Baku climate summit. We will explore how to communicate
climate policy to diverse audiences and discuss how CAN EECCA and n-ost can
support your coverage of the climate negotiations.
Climate Justice for the EECCA Region: Join
the Youth-Led Campaign for COP29 to Challenge Russia's Influence and Promote
Decolonial Action
This campaign calls on climate advocates and
communicators from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia to unite
in addressing the region's colonial legacy and environmental exploitation
ahead of COP29. With the upcoming UN climate conference in Baku, the
campaign aims to amplify the voices of those affected by authoritarianism
and ecocide, advocating for decolonial action and human rights. Whether
attending COP29 or supporting remotely, participants can contribute by
sharing local stories, creating campaign materials, or engaging with the
media.
Mountain Future Award 2024
The Mountain Future Award 2024, organized by
the FAO, invites individuals and institutions to submit innovative project
proposals that address challenges in mountain regions, such as climate
adaptation and youth engagement, for a chance to win the award. Three
winners will receive international recognition, USD 5,000 in seed funding,
and project incubation assistance. Proposals must be submitted by October
30, 2024, with a focus on fostering sustainability in mountain communities
through innovation, climate resilience, and empowering youth as agents of
change.
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Three Previous Issues
a.. Ukraine Prepares for Winter,
Disinformation and Climate Change, Promoting Renewable Energy in Central
Asia — October 15
b.. Kazakhstan Chooses Nuclear Power, the UK
Says Goodbye to Coal, Climate Communicators Unite — October 8
c.. Struggles for Environmental Rights in
Georgia and Russia, a Glimmer of Hope for the Aral Sea, and Youth in Climate
Advocacy — October 1
Would you like to reach out to us?
We welcome your feedback at
can.eecca at gmail.com
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From: CAN EECCA
Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2024 3:05 PM
Subject: CAN EECCA Newsletter: A Solution from Kyrgyz Women, the EU
Without Russian Gas, and Networking Ahead of COP29
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