Kyrgyzstan will switch from coal to hydropower in 2050
A river flows through a valley in the Tianshan Mountains, one of Kyrgyzstan’s famous mountains.Photo: Thomas Depenbusch (Depi) from Wikimedia Commons
exist COP26 At the summit held in Glasgow on November 2, Kyrgyz President Sadr Japarov made a statement on the transition to a non-emissions economy and the impact of climate change on people in the mountains.
“It is very important for Kyrgyzstan to protect its centuries-old glaciers, water resources, and mountains not only from the effects of climate change, but also from unethical economic activities. Unfortunately, Kyrgyzstan has such a As a precedent, I call on the international community to jointly oppose commercial behavior that destroys glaciers. Adaptation plans and projects will be implemented in vulnerable sectors such as agriculture, water resources, energy, industry, emergency, public health, forests, and biodiversity. Given that our country is 94% The area is mountainous, and the scale of future work is huge. Their implementation will cost nearly 3 billion U.S. dollars.” He said.
Japarov said that the country’s natural environment and people are feeling the negative effects of climate change, and Bishkek will achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. He added that Kyrgyzstan will continue to participate responsibly and fully in the global movement to mitigate climate change as part of its nationally determined policy until 2030.
President Sadr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan and President Joseph Biden of the United States at the COP26 meeting in Glasgow, Scotland. CEDIT: Kadyr Toktogulov via Twitter
“Kyrgyzstan’s goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 44% by 2030. Today, our country’s share of the world’s emissions structure is very small, about 0.03%. The nature of emissions is man-made. We estimate that US$7 billion will be needed. Implement medium-term emergency measures to combat climate change. By 2050, Kyrgyzstan’s goal is to achieve a carbon-free green development platform. Renewable energy, especially hydropower, will become the locomotive of a carbon-free policy. Carry out small and medium-sized hydropower station construction projects without harm On the premise of not harming the environment, industry, housing and public services, the use of carbon energy such as coal and fuel oil will be completely eliminated and fully converted into electricity.”
According to data from the Institute of Applied Earth Research in Central Asia, the area of glaciers in Kyrgyzstan has decreased by 16% in the past 70 years. Scientists’ predictions for the future are not encouraging.
By 2100, the small glacier will completely melt, and the area of white snow and blue ice can be reduced by up to 50%. In the past 50 years, the glacier area has shrunk by 6,683 square kilometers, or 16-17%.
“The problems I described in terms of the negative effects of climate change are largely inherent Many mountain countriesTo solve these problems, the government including the Kyrgyz government needs external assistance. “We propose to establish a special fund under the auspices of the United Nations to implement a targeted climate change adaptation plan, focusing on protecting glaciers, forests and biodiversity, strengthening disaster preparedness, and providing socio-economic support to mountain communities, especially Women and children,” President Japarov said.
Mountains covered with white snow and blue ice account for 4% of Kyrgyzstan’s total area. Kyrgyzstan accounts for 45% of global glaciers Central AsiaAt the same time, there are differences in the distribution and use of water resources in the region-as water shortages and temperature rise, this tension may increase.
