Climate Change in Eastern Europe

CLIMATE CHANGE IN EASTERN EUROPE

Mitigation of impact on climate

All three countries have signed and ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that has as its main goal the stabilization of GHG concentrations “at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic (human induced) interference with the climate system”. All three countries are also parties to the Kyoto Protocol which commits industrialised countries to reduce emissions. Ukraine and Belarus are classified as countries with eco­ nomies in transition and are included in Annex 1 of the Protocol, listing countries committed to reducing emissions to their 1990 level. Moldova, as a developing country, is not included in Annex 1 2 . The energy policy of these countries is focused on modernization, the development of production potential and infrastructure, diversification of energy resources, increased efficiency of energy use, greater use of local fuel, and alternative and renewable sources of energy. Measures also include the technical re-equipping and modernization of industry through the integration of advanced energy and resource saving, as well as the use of environmentally friendly technologies.

2 Depending on which Annex to UNFCCC countries are listed on, the Kyoto Protocol offers three market-based, “flexible” mechanisms to reduce emissions: emissions trading, the Clean Development Mechanism, and Joint Implementation. Ukraine and Belarus have the right to undertake emissions trading and JI projects; Moldova can use only the CDM. Yet unfortunately Belarus is not able to use the “flexible” mechanisms until it is also included in Annex B to the Kyoto Protocol, which provides for quantitative reduction obligations; the country is working hard to make this happen.

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