The Climate Action Network for Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia (CAN EECCA) is advocating for civil society, climate justice, redistribution of dirty subsidies, and an urgent fossil fuel phase-out at COP29.
We call on Parties to the UNFCCC to prioritize energy efficiency and renewable energy instead of fossil fuels and nuclear energy, allocating financial resources accordingly. Such a shift of public funds not only mitigates the climate crisis, but also improves quality of life. Civil society organizations (CSOs) must have access to climate finance to implement local solutions to combat climate change. National governments must convert these commitments into policies.
The Conference of the Parties is taking place as we witness a sharp increase in greenhouse gas emissions due to military hostilities in the region. Greenhouse gas emissions during the 24 months of Russia’s war in Ukraine amounted to 175 million tons of CO2e, exceeding the annual emissions of a highly industrialized country such as the Netherlands. We condemn Russia’s unjustified war against Ukraine, its aggression against civilians, and the severe environmental impact of the war both locally and globally.
The EECCA region is facing a triple crisis: war, climate change, and violations of the freedoms of civil society. The time for change is now.
Climate Finance and Civil Society
CSOs play a crucial role in implementing climate solutions. However, many in the EECCA region face obstacles that limit their access to necessary climate finance. CAN EECCA calls for the removal of these barriers so that climate finance flows directly to Civil Society Organisations, vulnerable communities, and regions.
Furthermore, it is essential to establish clear and transparent methods for involving civil society in the formulation of climate policies and the oversight of climate finance. These mechanisms should be designed to address the needs of all members of society, particularly the most vulnerable, such as women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Rejecting False Solutions
We call for public funds to be invested in real solutions, not dangerous distractions. CAN EECCA strongly opposes false solutions such as carbon capture, nuclear power, and transitional fossil fuel technologies, which divert attention and funding away from viable, long-term solutions like energy efficiency and renewable energy. These misleading narratives only prolong dependence on harmful industries and delay meaningful climate action.
In 2022, oil and gas revenues grew to more than $4 trillion globally, sharply exceeding the global average of $1.5 trillion. Six countries in the EECCA region are among the top 25 nations with the largest share of GDP allocated to subsidizing fossil fuel projects, with Uzbekistan leading at 32%, followed by Turkmenistan (20%), Azerbaijan (16%), Kazakhstan (15%), Ukraine (13%) and Russia (7%), continuing this dangerous trend.
Of particular concern is the dependence of countries in the region — such as Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Moldova, and Russia — on misguided approaches to addressing the climate crisis, such as the development of nuclear energy, including small modular reactor projects.
We call for the reorientation of public funding toward energy efficiency measures and renewable energy sources.
End Fossil Fuels in a Socially Just Way
The continuing lack of support for phasing out fossil fuels in the EECCA region has implications for workers in fossil fuel industries. Fossil fuels do not encourage significant investments in the sector. In Kazakhstan, oil workers and miners have gone on strike due to insufficient pay and unsafe working conditions — just one example from the 11 countries. Without a just transition plan, these workers and their families risk losing their income and being left without new employment opportunities, as green energy job programs are not being adequately implemented.
CAN EECCA urges governments to ensure that the transition away from fossil fuels is just, transparent, and take into account the priorities of both people and the planet.
COP29 should mark a shift in climate action for the EECCA region. We call on governments to phase out fossil fuels swiftly yet equitably, redirect subsidies toward solutions such as green energy access and energy efficiency, and ensure that civil society remains central to climate action. We must strive diligently for a future that is safe and sustainable, placing people at the forefront. It’s time to embrace the inevitable transition to a fossil fuel-free world and ensure we create a future that includes everyone.
Who Are We
Climate Action Network Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia (CAN EECCA) is a network of civil society organizations committed to combating climate change, represented in 11 countries with 57 members.
Our mission is to empower civil society in the EECCA region to advocate for policies that promote climate neutrality and lead to climate justice.
Дата публикации позиции: 04.11.2024
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