Federated States of Micronesia challenges future of Czech coal plant

Written by Greenpeace Media Release

Thursday, 24 December 2009

Suva, Fiji December 18, 2009 – In a move signalling that the Pacific may no longer tolerate empty climate rhetoric, Federated States of Micronesia has called for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)of a massive coal plant in the Czech Republic. Due to concerns over climate change impacts, FSM have requested a transboundary EIA of the proposed expansion of Prunerov(1) – the biggest coal power station in the Czech Republic. This was publically announced by the Republic of Czechoslovakia’s Ministry of Environment earlier this week, making front page news headlines across the country. This is the first time that current or future climate victims could legally influence a foreign industry on by arguing that it endangers them due to greenhouse gas emissions. The Federated States of Micronesian islands, are one of the many Pacific island nations on the front line of climate impacts especially sea-level rise, changing weather patterns, and increased storms. Prunerov is one of Europe’s biggest coal power plants (1). The plant’s operator, CEZ, wants to increase the generating capacity of Prunerov but refuses to comply with EU efficiency standards. (2) “As ministers and heads of state make plenary statements in Copenhagen to try and agree to a climate saving deal this week, it will not be unusual to see Pacific Islands begin to take matters into their own hands in a bid for survival,” said Seni Nabou, Pacific Political Advisor for Greenpeace Australia Pacific. If successful, this legal challenge could have serious implications for climate changing industries worldwide. “Climate change is a global problem and communities whose lives are impacted by emissions from foreign industries have every right to fight for their survival. We support the Federated States of Micronesia’s request and demand a phase out of dirty coal plants in the Czech Republic and around the world,” added Ms Nabou. Nabou said it is important to give communities, which are immediately vulnerable to climate change the chance to exercise legal remedies to protect themselves against climate polluters wherever they are. However, only the agreement of a fair, ambitious and legally binding global treaty in Copenhagen this week will provide the level of protection needed to secure a future for billions of people around the world, including Micronesians. “As the Copenhagen Summit draws to a close we will continue to urge leaders to sign on to a deal that is legally binding and one that includes commitments by rich countries to make far deeper emissions cuts - nothing short of at least 40% by 2020. It must also include at least USD 140 billion a year so that states like Federated States of Micronesia can adapt to climate change and invest in clean technologies. All the elements of a good climate deal are on the table, the only one missing is political will, concluded Ms Nabou.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 21 January 2010 )