*[Enwl-eng] 🌍 CAN EECCA Newsletter: $9 Billion in War Damage, Radioactive Waste, and a Future Without Bananas?
ecology
ecology at iephb.nw.ru
Wed May 14 21:58:59 MSK 2025
Climate Activism and Green Transition in EECCA
Climate Change and Energy News:
Weekly Digest by CAN EECCA
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Dear subscribers,
In the region — $9 billion in environmental damage in Ukraine due to the war, climate risks for Dilijan in Armenia, mass deforestation in Azerbaijan, waste management discussions in Belarus, energy efficiency legislation and solar panels in Moldova, radioactive waste in Kazakhstan, and a mining tragedy in Tajikistan. On the global agenda — bananas under threat, the dairy industry turning a blind eye to methane, and men contributing more to climate pressure due to meat consumption and car use. Plus — a selection of current opportunities for activists, researchers, and NGOs.
We’re always open to hearing your thoughts, ideas, or stories — don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Sincerely,
The CAN EECCA Team
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News from the EECCA Region
Ukraine: Environmental damage from attacks on military facilities estimated at UAH 367 billion (about $9 billion)
Colonel Yuriy Sytnyk, head of the Environmental Safety Department of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, stated that Russian aggression has led to massive environmental contamination: the soil and surrounding environment are polluted with construction debris, toxic substances, oil products, metals, and explosive materials. In addition, thousands of hectares of forest have burned.
Central Asian countries to discuss climate change in Ashgabat
From May 13–15, Ashgabat (Turkmenistan) will host the 7th Central Asia Climate Change Conference (CACCC-2025). The event is organized by the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) together with the Government of Turkmenistan and supported by the World Bank, the Central Asia Water and Energy Program (CAWEP), the RESILAND Tajikistan project, and GIZ.
Azerbaijan: Why fines don’t stop deforestation
In recent years, Azerbaijan has faced a serious environmental challenge: large-scale tree felling by housing cooperatives. This reflects the destructive impact of unchecked urbanization. The fate of felled trees often remains unknown, and the Ministry of Ecology mainly issues fines instead of addressing the issue systemically.
Belarus: Waste management strategy under discussion
A new national strategy aims to ensure that by 2040 at least 90% of waste is reused or recycled, maintaining carbon neutrality during incineration (through either zero emissions or compensation mechanisms).
Kazakhstan: Pollution, nuclear waste, and an uncertain future in East Kazakhstan
Residents of East Kazakhstan region have for years complained about polluted air and water, but the situation persists. The challenge is exacerbated by the fact that major polluting enterprises are also key employers, making relocation or shutdowns politically difficult.
Armenia: Dilijan faces growing climate risks
According to Albert Aroyan, head of the NGO EcoPolitics, the Dilijan municipality is increasingly vulnerable to heavy rainfall, hail, floods, and forest fires. Dilijan is surrounded by a national park, making biodiversity and wildlife protection a serious concern. These threats endanger both the environment and local livelihoods.
Moldova: Parliament backs energy efficiency legislation
The Moldovan Parliament passed the first reading of amendments to the Law on Energy Efficiency. The goal is to ease the implementation of energy efficiency projects and improve the legal framework for Moldova’s energy transition. Notably, the bill removes the obligation for heat energy providers to participate in energy-saving measures, helping maintain affordable tariffs for consumers.
Moldova: Solar panels help cut utility bills in Căușeni
Photovoltaic panels installed by the mayor’s office in Pervomaisk will power water pumps serving over 900 residents. The panels were funded by the European Village program and include smart bi-directional meters. This enables the municipality to use solar energy during the day and sell excess energy to the grid, while buying cheaper electricity at night.
Ukraine and the U.S. sign new fossil fuel-related agreements
Ukraine signed two commercial agreements with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to expand the previously ratified bilateral investment fund, with a 50/50 ownership split.
Kyrgyzstan to regulate import of air conditioners and refrigerants
Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology Mirsav Amanqulov announced that rising living standards have increased demand for air conditioners that use hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), putting strain on the power grid and harming the environment.
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World Climate and Energy News
Car use and meat consumption drive emissions gender gap, research suggests
The French study of 15,000 people shows men emit 26% more pollution due to eating red meat and driving more. Cars and meat are major factors driving a gender gap in greenhouse gas emissions, new research suggests. Men emit 26% more planet-heating pollution than women from transport and food, according to a preprint study of 15,000 people in France. The gap shrinks to 18% after controlling for socioeconomic factors such as income and education. Eating red meat and driving cars explain almost all of the 6.5-9.5% difference in pollution that remains after also accounting for men eating more calories and travelling longer distances, the researchers said. They found no gender gap from flying.
Climate crisis threatens the banana, the world’s most popular fruit, research shows
Fourth most important food crop in peril as Latin America and Caribbean suffer from slow-onset climate disaster. The climate crisis is threatening the future of the world’s most popular fruit, as almost two-thirds of banana-growing areas in Latin America and the Caribbean may no longer be suitable for growing the fruit by 2080, new research has found.
Rising temperatures, extreme weather and climate-related pests are pummeling banana-growing countries such as Guatemala, Costa Rica and Colombia, reducing yields and devastating rural communities across the region, according to Christian Aid’s new report, Going Bananas: How Climate Change Threatens the World’s Favourite Fruit. Bananas are the world’s most consumed fruit – and the fourth most important food crop globally, after wheat, rice and maize. About 80% of bananas grown globally are for local consumption, and more than 400 million people rely on the fruit for 15% to 27% of their daily calories.
Dairy companies ‘turning blind eye’ to global methane emissions, report suggests
Assessment of leading dairy and coffee shop chains reveals failure to set out methane reduction targets. Big dairy companies are “turning a blind eye” to climate-damaging methane emissions, an assessment of the industry’s performance has found.
Animal agriculture accounts for 32% of global emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas about 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, with the breeding of cattle for milk and meat a key driver. Methane has been assessed as responsible for nearly half the total global temperature rise since 1750. But since it is short-lived in the atmosphere compared with carbon dioxide, cuts to emissions have been identified as an urgent move in tackling climate breakdown.
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Opportunities
Global Impact Summit 2025 in Budapest, Hungary
Dates: August 28–31, 2025
Funding: Fully and partially funded spots available
Deadline: May 30, 2025
Key themes of the Summit:
a.. Combating climate change and promoting sustainable development
b.. Global equality and social justice
c.. Leveraging technology for positive impact
d.. Empowering youth leadership and international cooperation
e.. Supporting social entrepreneurship and economic development
f.. Innovation in education and future-ready workforce development
Who can apply?
Participants from any country aged 16 and older. No diploma or professional experience required. Open to students, activists, young leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals.
Yale Environment 360 Film Contest
Filmmakers from around the world are invited to submit short films addressing current environmental topics. Participation is free.
a.. Film length: up to 20 minutes
b.. Format: documentary, journalistic, or narrative
c.. Open to all countries
d.. Films commissioned or made on behalf of companies/organizations are not eligible
Deadline: May 25
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From: CAN EECCA <digest at caneecca.org>
Date: ср, 14 мая 2025 г. в 19:30
Subject: 🌍 CAN EECCA Newsletter: $9 Billion in War Damage, Radioactive Waste, and a Future Without Bananas?
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