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Source: ONE News
A small pacific island state's challenge to a Czech coal-fired
power plant extension some 6,000 km away on grounds it could harm
its environment could open a new front in the fight over global
climate change.
Micronesia has filed a plea with the Czech environment ministry
using a measure designed originally to settle disputes between near
neighbours but which could spur others to do the same when opposing
power plants, environmental advocates said.
"This is part of a new phase in environmental law," said Tim
Malloch, a climate and energy lawyer at London-based
ClientEarth.
Micronesia noted CEZ's coal-fired plant at Prunerov in the north of
the republic was the 18th biggest source of greenhouse gases in the
European Union, emitting about 40 times more carbon dioxide than
the entire Pacific island federation.
The Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment request also
argued that Prague has failed to provide and asses all potential
impacts and possible alternatives to minimize adverse affects of
power plants - something Micronesia said was required under Czech
law.
"The Federated States of Micronesia is seriously endangered by the
impacts of climate change, including the flooding of its entire
territory and the eventual disappearance of a portion of its
state," Andrew Yatilman, director of Micronesia's Office of
Environment and Emergency Management wrote.
"...The commissioning or retrofit of any large coal power plant
could play a relevant role in the destruction of the entire
environment of our state."
Disappointment with Copenhagen
The request also underscores disappointment developing nations have
over a weak United Nations climate deal agreed in December that for
states like Micronesia did not go far enough.
More importantly, it could offer a legal weapon for environmental
advocates and developing nations looking to mitigate the future
impact of climate change, Malloch said.
"The Micronesia request is really important coming so close after
the disappointment of Copenhagen," he said.
"This is the first confrontation you are going to see between
the developing and developed world. It goes right to the heart of
what was the problem at Copenhagen."
The accord - weaker than a legally binding treaty and even weaker
even than the 'political' deal many had foreseen - set a target of
limiting global warming to a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius over
pre-industrial times.
This is seen as the threshold for dangerous changes such as more
floods, droughts, mudslides, sandstorms and rising seas.
Carbon dioxide is blamed for fuelling global warming.
A spokeswoman for the Czech environment ministry said it received
the request late into the assessment process but would take into
account Micronesia's concerns.
One hurdle for Micronesia is that it is not party to a UN treaty on
environmental impact assessments signed by 30 countries, including
the Czech Republic, said Jan Rovensky, who is tracking the case for
Greenpeace in the Czech Republic.
And while CEZ will likely receive a green light to extend the
plant, Micronesia's example may spur a nation that has signed the
treaty to use the same tactic and take the fight to an
international court, he added.
"It is quite a good precedent that shows other countries can try to
influence decisions in other nations that might affect them,"
Rovensky said.
"That is quite important."
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