Despite its climate pledge, China finances coal power plants in Bosnia and Herzegovina
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We are back with a brand new episode of Saving Asia, where we tackle the benefits of a green economy & how it can pave the way towards a better future. We also look into how businesses can help turn the tide in addressing climate change. 📺
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THIS WEEK’S EDITION:
Despite its climate pledge, China finances coal power plants in Bosnia and Herzegovina
BY THE DIPLOMAT
Even after making promises to stop climate change and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s pledge to curb financing coal power, China is financing coal power plants in several towns in Europe including Bosnia and Herzegovina. Researchers say, this might be an unpleasant surprise for neighboring countries. Research from Just Finance International further shows that there is a major risk of Chinese-financed power plants being built in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Serbia.
“All these projects were announced by Chinese state-owned enterprises in 2021, and have a total estimated capacity of over 3,645 MW. Chinese-backed overseas coal projects with an additional 10 GW of capacity are already in the pipeline and are likely to begin construction any moment.”
Climate danger grows in ‘vulnerable’ Myanmar after military coup
BY ALJAZEERA
Concerns that the military may intensify resource exploitation to shore up finances, puts one of the world's most climate-vulnerable countries, Myanmar, at risk of serious environmental crisis. The military in May launched its own solar power tender but was forced to extend the bidding deadline three times due to a lack of bidders. Aljazeera reports, difficulties facing solar power companies mirror the broader risk of Myanmar missing out on climate finance opportunities post-coup.
Myanmar is among the countries most at risk from the climate crisis, according to the Global Climate Risk Index. The country is frequently experiencing devastating floods and landslides as well as drought, exacerbated by decades of uncontrolled deforestation and mining of minerals and gems.
Congratulations Monika! 🎉
Monika Mondal, another one of our in-person COP26 fellow, wins a special environmental prize! Her story for The Third Pole was chosen for a special environmental prize as part of this year’s #TFYoungJournalist Award of Thomson Foundation for “delivering on everything you want from a groundbreaking, fresh and memorable piece of environmental journalism
“But being a slum dweller does not make anyone any less of a person. Slum residents are valid inhabitants of the city entitled to enjoy a safe and healthy environment. Looking back, I think I'd never have found my passion, journalism, if I hadn’t grown up here.”
Get in touch with Monika via twitter! Follow her @akinom_ladnom 🤗
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