Saving Balkhash: Kazakhstan's largest lake under threat from extractivism and climate change

Lake Balkhash is the 14th largest lake in the world and one of the largest in Asia. Its ecological importance is matched by the number of threats it has been facing for decades: copper mining, hydropower, agricultural development – and now a nuclear power plant.How to reach local communities and experts, scientists and policy-makers, cultural institutions, businesses, and the wider public in order to transmit the significance of this unique body of water?That's what we discussed with Aigerim Kapar, co-founder of the platform Artcom and the initiative Care for Balkhash. Aigerim is an interdependent curator, interdisciplinary researcher, and decolonial activist from Almaty and has been engaged in a number of ecological efforts in Kazakhstan for over 10 years.Many thanks for Giada Dalla Bontà for introducing the interviewer to Aigerim's work during the 2024 Almaty exhibition 'Interweaving Climate, Water(s) and Communities', without which this episode would not have taken place.---The Eurasian Climate Brief is a podcast dedicated to climate issues in the region stretching from Eastern Europe to Russia down to the Caucasus and Central Asia.---References cited in the episode:http://careforbalkhash.org/https://artcomplatform.com/http://careforbalkhash.org/program_art_collider_balkhash_almaty_enghttp://artcomplatform.com/artcombb13---This episode is supported by n-ost, a media NGO and European Journalistic Network committed to cross-border and multi-prospective reporting, and made by:Boris Schneider, political economist. European Programme Manager at Clean Energy Wire CLEW (Berlin). Has worked as a specialist on Eastern European climate and energy topics, amongst others for n-ost and the German Economic Team.Angelina Davydova, environmental/climate journalist. Editor of the magazine Environment and Rights, co-host of the podcast The Day After Tomorrow (Posle Zavtra). Environmental projects coordinator with the Dialogue for Understanding e. V (Berlin). Fellow with the Institute for Global Reconstitution (Berlin). Observer of the UN climate negotiations (UNFCCC) since 2008. Expert/editor of the Ukraine War Environmental CUNFCCC) since 2008. Expert/editor of the Ukraine War Environmental Consequences Work Group.Jingle: Natallia KunitskayaSound editing & mixing: Angelo Tripkovsky

Central Asia is among the world's most vulnerable regions to climate change. Already today, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are facing various climate consequences: from droughts to landslides, from glacier melts to flash floods. At the same time, this region's energy landscape contains almost all energy sources from fossil to renewables; to a varying degree, the energy transition is underway, even if not at the desired pace.What are the five Central Asian delegations bringing to COP30 in Belém? Which are their plans on adaptation? Are fossil fuels being phased out? And what's happening on the important topic of just transition across Central Asian societies?To learn about this and more, Dr. Bakhyt Yessekina, Founder and Director of Kazakhstan's "Green Academy" is joining us on this episode.---The Eurasian Climate Brief is a podcast dedicated to climate issues in the region stretching from Eastern Europe to Russia down to the Caucasus and Central Asia.---Report cited in the episode:https://caneecca.org/en/ndc-updates-in-eecca-findings-from-selected-countries/Side event at COP30:Formation of the Digital Platform for Article 6 in Central AsiaThe Research and Educational Center “Green Academy”, in cooperation with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with the support of the ISTC (International Science and Technology Center) and international partners, will hold a side event “Formation of a Digital Platform for the Carbon Market in Central Asia” on November 14, 2025, at the Digital Innovation Pavilion, C90, Blue Zone, COP30, Belém, Brazil.Date: November 14, 2025Time: 09:00–11:30Venue: Digital Innovation Pavilion, C90, Blue Zone, COP30, BelémFormat: Hybrid (online/offline)Draft program: https://lnkd.in/dr_Q8fbU Online registration: https://lnkd.in/dsuNit4F---This episode is supported by n-ost, a media NGO and European Journalistic Network committed to cross-border and multi-prospective reporting, and made by:Boris Schneider, political economist. European Programme Manager at Clean Energy Wire CLEW (Berlin). Has worked as a specialist on Eastern European climate and energy topics, amongst others for n-ost and the German Economic Team.Angelina Davydova, environmental/climate journalist. Editor of the magazine Environment and Rights, co-host of the podcast The Day After Tomorrow (Posle Zavtra). Environmental projects coordinator with the Dialogue for Understanding e. V (Berlin). Fellow with the Institute for Global Reconstitution (Berlin). Observer of the UN climate negotiations (UNFCCC) since 2008. Expert/editor of the Ukraine War Environmental CUNFCCC) since 2008. Expert/editor of the Ukraine War Environmental Consequences Work Group.Jingle: Natallia KunitskayaSound editing & mixing: Angelo Tripkovsky

Central Asia is among the world's most vulnerable regions to climate change. And while some of the Central Asian countries are heavily reliant on fossil fuels, there is potential for renewable energy across this entire part of the world. Let's have a closer look at electricity today.Who are the main drivers of the energy transition? Is cross-border cooperation happening? Are the grids ready for the renewable transition? Which role does hydro play? And what about some countries' nuclear ambitions?To get a grip on these and many other topics, Nick Fulghum and Ufuk Alparslan of Ember dive into the Central Asian section of their 2025 Global Electricity Review with Boris, while Angelina meets Tatiana Lanshina of Agora Energiewende, who after an overview of the entire region, zooms into Kazakhstan's power sector specifically.---The Eurasian Climate Brief is a podcast dedicated to climate issues in the region stretching from Eastern Europe to Russia down to the Caucasus and Central Asia.---References cited in the episode:https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/global-electricity-review-2025/https://www.agora-energiewende.org/publications/kazakhstans-power-system-2035https://www.agora-energiewende.org/publications/enabling-a-just-coal-transition-in-kazakhstanhttps://www.etf.europa.eu/en/greenskills2025/kazakhstan-green-skills-futurehttps://vlast.kz/english/66616-after-trump-tokayev-also-calls-climate-change-a-fraud-and-praises-coal-in-kazakhstan.html---This episode is supported by n-ost, a media NGO and European Journalistic Network committed to cross-border and multi-prospective reporting, and made by:Boris Schneider, political economist. European Programme Manager at Clean Energy Wire CLEW (Berlin). Has worked as a specialist on Eastern European climate and energy topics, amongst others for n-ost and the German Economic Team.Angelina Davydova, environmental/climate journalist. Editor of the magazine Environment and Rights, co-host of the podcast The Day After Tomorrow (Posle Zavtra). Environmental projects coordinator with the Dialogue for Understanding e. V (Berlin). Fellow with the Institute for Global Reconstitution (Berlin). Observer of the UN climate negotiations (UNFCCC) since 2008. Expert/editor of the Ukraine War Environmental CUNFCCC) since 2008. Expert/editor of the Ukraine War Environmental Consequences Work Group.Jingle: Natallia Kunitskaya (Mustelide) Sound editing & mixing: Angelo Tripkovsky

Today, we are introducing you to two people at the forefront of activism and resistance to very concrete environmental issues in their home countries, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.Boris talks to Bermet Borubaeva, urban environment analyst, artist and founder of the initiative #BishkekSmog, on her struggle for clean air in the Kyrgyz capital, the preservation of public transport infrastructure and educating the public on waste.Angelina speaks to Anisa Abibulloeva, project coordinator of the public youth environmental organisation Little Earth about Tajik civil society and her work on climate risks and adaptation programmes, in particular for women-led households in remote mountainous communities.---The Eurasian Climate Brief is a podcast dedicated to climate issues in the region stretching from Eastern Europe to Russia down to the Caucasus and Central Asia.---Reports cited in the episode:Governing ‘Green’ Public Infrastructure: The Trolleybus Case in Bishkekhttps://berlinergazette.de/the-governance-of-publicly-owned-infrastructure-in-bishkek-the-case-of-trolleybus-demolition/OHCHR Mandates of the UN Special Rapporteurs — Information received concerning the Bishkek City Council decision to cancel emission-free public transportation (trolleybuses)https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=29765Bishkek residents seek mediation to restore trolleybus servicehttps://bankwatch.org/press_release/bishkek-residents-seek-mediation-to-restore-trolleybus-serviceBishkek’s electric trolleybuses under threat from ADB-funded transport overhaulhttps://bankwatch.org/publication/bishkek-s-electric-trolleybuses-under-threat-from-adb-funded-transport-overhaulThe last trolleybus of Bishkek — mayor’s decision defies logic and undermines foreign investments in green transporthttps://bankwatch.org/blog/the-last-trolleybus-of-bishkek-mayor-s-decision-defies-logic-and-undermines-foreign-investments-in-green-transportFuture of the Bishkek trolleybushttps://bishkek.linieplus.de/en/news-2/ IfL Visiting Fellowship — Mobility transition in Central Asia: sustainability, power and International financial institutions https://bishkeksmog.info/2025/06/05/ifl/Air Quality in Bishkek — Assessment of emission sources and roadmap for supporting air quality managementhttps://www.undp.org/kyrgyzstan/publications/air-quality-bishkek-assessment-emission-sources-and-roadmap-supporting-air-quality-management#BishkekSmog initiative: bishkeksmog.info, documentary film (eng): youtu.be/9lNipn0UFJ8Balihar Sanghera & Elmira Satybaldieva: Rentier Capitalism and Its Discontents https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-76303-9---This episode is supported by n-ost, a media NGO and European Journalistic Network committed to cross-border and multi-prospective reporting, and made by:Boris Schneider, political economist. European Programme Manager at Clean Energy Wire CLEW (Berlin). Has worked as a specialist on Eastern European climate and energy topics, amongst others for n-ost and the German Economic Team.Angelina Davydova, environmental/climate journalist. Editor of the magazine Environment and Rights, co-host of the podcast The Day After Tomorrow (Posle Zavtra). Environmental projects coordinator with the Dialogue for Understanding e. V (Berlin). Fellow with the Institute for Global Reconstitution (Berlin). Observer of the UN climate negotiations (UNFCCC) since 2008. Expert/editor of the Ukraine War Environmental CUNFCCC) since 2008. Expert/editor of the Ukraine War Environmental Consequences Work Group.Jingle: Natallia Kunitskaya (Mustelide)Sound editing & mixing: Angelo Tripkovsky

The green transition aims to overcome fossil dependencies. But what about the materials required for renewable energy? And why are the EU and others actors so interested in Central Asia?Join Angelina and Boris as they explore with Almaty-based political scientist Asel Doolotkeldieva, Dmitry Kalmykov from the Kazakh NGO Karaganda Ecological Museum, and Cecilia Mattea of IRMA (Initiative for Resposible Mining Assurance) in Brussels the significance of these materials in the context of sustainable development and climate change as well as questions of extractivism and neo-colonial dynamics.Together, they will address pressing questions: How can Central Asia leverage its resources for sustainable growth? What are the challenges and opportunities in balancing economic development with environmental protection? And how can regional and global stakeholders collaborate to create a more sustainable future?Tune in as we delve into the complex challenges that will define the future of climate action across Central Asia - and beyond.The Eurasian Climate Brief is a podcast dedicated to climate issues in the region stretching from Eastern Europe to Russia down to the Caucasus and Central Asia.

The 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) ended in late November in Baku. Two weeks of intense climate negotiations unveiled deep divides—particularly between the Global North and South over climate finance and contentious debates on the right wording of transitioning away from fossil fuels.In this episode Angelina Davydova and Boris Schneider dissect the outcomes of the conference, offering insights into the broader implications for climate action, both globally and in Central Asia. Joining the conversation is Kyrgyz journalist Anastasia Bengard, who attended COP29 as a fellow of the Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP) programme. She shares her firsthand observations from the conference, shedding light on the positions and statements of her home country and Central Asia at large, as detailed in her reporting for 24.kg.Tune in as we delve into the complex narratives and challenges that will define the future of climate action across Central Asia - and beyond.The Eurasian Climate Brief is a podcast dedicated to climate issues in the region stretching from Eastern Europe to Russia down to the Caucasus and Central Asia.This episode is supported by n-ost & eurasianet and made by:Angelina Davydova, environmental/climate journalist. Editor of the magazine "Environment and Rights", co-host of the podcast The Day After Tomorrow ("Posle Zavtra"). Environmental projects coordinator with the Dialogue for Understanding e. V (Berlin). Fellow with the Institute for Global Reconstitution (Berlin). Observer of the UN climate negotiations (UNFCCC) since 2008. Expert/editor of the Ukraine War Environmental Consequences Work Group.Boris Schneider, political economist. European Programme Manager at Clean Energy Wire CLEW (Berlin). Has worked as a specialist on Eastern European climate and energy topics, amongst others for n-ost and the German Economic Team.Reports cited in the episode:Open Letter on COP reformAfter a disappointing COP29, here’s how to design global climate talks that might actually workWe are not so naive anymore (Anastasia Bengard's interview with Edil Baisalov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan)Jingle: Natallia Kunitskaya alias MustelideSound editing & mixing: Angelo Tripkovsky

This year's UN Climate Change Conference (COP29 in Baku) is just a few days away. Against armed conflicts around the world, geopolitical uncertainty and an accelerating climate crisis, the podcast returns from its year-long hiatus to look at what COP29 will be all about, focusing on the Central Asian delegations. Angelina and Boris also speak to Aliya Wedelich, media coordinator for CAN EECCA about her expectations for the conference.The Eurasian Climate Brief is a podcast dedicated to climate issues in the region stretching from Eastern Europe to Russia down to the Caucasus and Central Asia.This episode is supported by n-ost & eurasianet and made by:Angelina Davydova, environmental/climate journalist. Editor of the magazine "Environment and Rights", co-host of the podcast The Day After Tomorrow ("Posle Zavtra"). Environmental projects coordinator with the Dialogue for Understanding e. V (Berlin). Fellow with the Institute for Global Reconstitution (Berlin). Observer of the UN climate negotiations (UNFCCC) since 2008. Expert/editor of the Ukraine War Environmental Consequences Work Group.Boris Schneider, political economist. European Programme Manager at Clean Energy Wire CLEW (Berlin). Has worked as a specialist on Eastern European climate and energy topics, amongst others for n-ost and the German Economic Team.Reports cited in the episode:10 New Insights in Climate Science 2024/25Carbon Inequality Kills2024 NDC Synthesis ReportEmissions Gap ReportJingle: Natallia Kunitskaya alias MustelideSound editing & mixing: Angelo Tripkovsky

This week, the Eurasian Climate Brief team heads to the Balkans, Bulgaria, to look into the cracks of the European Union's carbon market (a.k.a., EU ETS). In July 2021, an investigation by Eleonora Vio and Daniela Sala for the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) found that two Bulgarian power plants appeared to have under-declared their carbon emissions. If true, this would mean the EU ETS would have lost around 30 million euros in emissions tax. Months later in February, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) raided dozens of offices within the country. Key to the investigation is the company tasked with verifying the emission reports,  which appears to be connected to Hristo Kovachki, the country's secretive energy tycoon and alleged owner of the coal power plants. Kovachki, whose empire almost crumbled in February, now appears to be off the hook, while the EPPO investigation has ground to a halt. So, is this the justice that awaits Europe's carbon fraudsters? And could it be that others are gaming the system as you read these lines?To answer these questions, energy journalist Evgeni Ahmadzai reports from Sofia and the Bobov Dol thermal power plant. Natalie Sauer then talks ETS corruption with him and senior investigative journalist Atanas Tchobanov.  The EPPO has not responded to our requests for comment.For more on Eleonora Vio's work, visit her website and Twitter account @elevio64. Daniela Sala's own portfolio can be consulted here and Twitter channel found @alasaleinad. Ivaylo Stanchev, a staff journalist at Kapital.bg, also contributed to the investigation.  The Eurasian Climate Brief is a podcast dedicated to climate issues in the region stretching from Eastern Europe to Russia down to the Caucasus and Central Asia.This episode is supported by n-ost, The Moscow Times and the European Climate Foundation, and made by:Natalie Sauer, a French British environmental journalist and English-language editor for The Conversation.  A former reporter for Climate Home News, her words have also appeared in international media such as Le Monde Diplomatique, Politico Europe, Open Democracy, Euractiv and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.Evgeni Ahmadzai is an energy journalist for Kapital.bg.Atanas Chobanov is the co-founder of Bivol.bg, an investigative outlet exposing the state-mafia nexus in Bulgaria. A veteran expert in corruption, Tchobanov has contributed to many cross-border investigation cases concerning hidden assets in Bulgaria and abuse of EU money.Production by the www.thepodcastcoach.co.uk

Climate change affects almost all sectors of human societies and life. One underrated and underreported consequence of the climate crisis is taking so-called climate migration - displacement due to climate change. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) predicts the number of "environmental migrants" in 2050 to be between 25 million and 1 billion.To find out more about this topic and, in particular, about one of the most affected regions - Central Asia - Angelina and Boris spoke to Viviane Clement, Senior Climate Change Specialist with the World Bank's Climate Change Group, Ikrom Mamadov, Director of the Youth Group on the Protection of the Environment and the National Director of the Ecological Network of Tajikistan, and Kira Vinke, Head of the Center for Climate and Foreign Policy at the German Council of Foreign Relations (DGAP). This episode is supported by n-ost, The Moscow Times and the European Climate Foundation, and made by:Boris Schneider, European Journalism Project Manager at Clean Energy Wire (CLEW). Prior he has worked as a specialist on Eastern European climate and energy topics, amongst others for n-ost and the German Economic Team. He graduated from the Free University of Berlin with a M. Sc. in Economics and is interested in the intersection of political economy and ecology in Eurasia.Angelina Davydova, an environmental journalist originally from Russia, now based in Berlin. Angelina has been writing about climate change in the region for Russian and international media and attending UN climate summits since 2008. She also teaches environmental journalism and environmental and climate policy and communication in a number of universities and regularly organises training for journalists from Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Caucasus on environmental and climate reporting. Angelina is a climate projects coordinator with n-ost, environmental projects coordinator with Dialogue For Understanding e. V,  editor of the magazine "Environment and Rights" and an expert with the Ukraine War Environemntal Consequences Work Group. Production by the www.thepodcastcoach.co.uk

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Russian civil society has faced increasing repression at home. The environmental movement is no exception. While they kept communication channels open before the war, feeding the outside world precious data on the state of Russia's forests, permafrost and Arctic, large mainstream NGOs such as WWF, Greenpeace and Bellona have all been declared undesirable organisations in recent months. This makes their nation-level work near to impossible. Angelina Davydova and Boris Schneider spoke to Vitaly Servetnik, a campaigner at Russia's Friends of the Earth and the Russian Socio-Ecological Union, about the situation, as wildfires continue to engulf eastern Siberia.  Unflappable, Servetnik maintains that environmentalists within the country are as defiant and creative as ever.  This episode is supported by n-ost, The Moscow Times and the European Climate Foundation, and made by:Boris Schneider, European Journalism Project Manager at Clean Energy Wire (CLEW). Prior he has worked as a specialist on Eastern European climate and energy topics, amongst others for n-ost and the German Economic Team. He graduated from the Free University of Berlin with a M. Sc. in Economics and is interested in the intersection of political economy and ecology in Eurasia.Angelina Davydova, an environmental journalist originally from Russia, now based in Berlin. Angelina has been writing about climate change in the region for Russian and international media and attending UN climate summits since 2008. She also teaches environmental journalism and environmental and climate policy and communication in a number of universities and regularly organises training for journalists from Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Caucasus on environmental and climate reporting. Angelina is a climate projects coordinator with n-ost, environmental projects coordinator with Dialogue For Understanding e. V,  editor of the magazine "Environment and Rights" and an expert with the Ukraine War Environemntal Consequences Work Group. Production by the www.thepodcastcoach.co.uk