Today, we are introducing you to two people at the forefront of activism and resistance to very concrete environmental issues in their home countries, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Boris met Bermet Borubaeva (#BishkekSmog), a researcher, curator, and artist from the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek for a conversation, on her struggle for clean air, the preservation of public transport infrastructure and educating the public on waste. Angelina spoke to climate activist Anisa Abibulloeva about Tajik civil society and her work on climate risks and adaptation programmes, in particular for women-lead households in the remote mountainous communities.

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The Eurasian Climate Brief is a podcast dedicated to climate issues in the region stretching from Eastern Europe to Russia down to the Caucasus and Central Asia.

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Reports cited in the episode:

Governing ‘Green’ Public Infrastructure: The Trolleybus Case in Bishkek
https://berlinergazette.de/the-governance-of-publicly-owned-infrastructure-in-bishkek-the-case-of-trolleybus-demolition/

OHCHR Mandates of the UN Special Rapporteurs — Information received concerning the Bishkek City Council decision to cancel emission-free public transportation (trolleybuses)
https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=29765

Bishkek residents seek mediation to restore trolleybus service
https://bankwatch.org/press_release/bishkek-residents-seek-mediation-to-restore-trolleybus-service

Bishkek’s electric trolleybuses under threat from ADB-funded transport overhaul
https://bankwatch.org/publication/bishkek-s-electric-trolleybuses-under-threat-from-adb-funded-transport-overhaul

The last trolleybus of Bishkek — mayor’s decision defies logic and undermines foreign investments in green transport
https://bankwatch.org/blog/the-last-trolleybus-of-bishkek-mayor-s-decision-defies-logic-and-undermines-foreign-investments-in-green-transport

Future of the Bishkek trolleybus
https://bishkek.linieplus.de/en/news-2/

IfL Visiting Fellowship — Mobility transition in Central Asia: sustainability, power and International financial institutions
https://bishkeksmog.info/2025/06/05/ifl/

Air Quality in Bishkek — Assessment of emission sources and roadmap for supporting air quality management
https://www.undp.org/kyrgyzstan/publications/air-quality-bishkek-assessment-emission-sources-and-roadmap-supporting-air-quality-management

#BishkekSmog initiative: bishkeksmog.info, documentary film (eng): youtu.be/9lNipn0UFJ8

Balihar Sanghera & Elmira Satybaldieva: Rentier Capitalism and Its Discontents https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-76303-9

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This episode is supported by n-ost, a media NGO and European Journalistic Network committed to cross-border and multi-prospective reporting, and made by:

• Boris Schneider, political economist. European Programme Manager at Clean Energy Wire CLEW (Berlin). Has worked as a specialist on Eastern European climate and energy topics, amongst others for n-ost and the German Economic Team.
• Angelina Davydova, environmental/climate journalist. Editor of the magazine "Environment and Rights", co-host of the podcast The Day After Tomorrow ("Posle Zavtra"). Environmental projects coordinator with the Dialogue for Understanding e. V (Berlin). Fellow with the Institute for Global Reconstitution (Berlin). Observer of the UN climate negotiations (UNFCCC) since 2008. Expert/editor of the Ukraine War Environmental Consequences Work Group.

Jingle: Natallia Kunitskaya (Mustelide)
Sound editing & mixing: Angelo Tripkovsky

The green transition aims to overcome fossil dependencies. But what about the materials required for renewable energy? And why are the EU and others actors so interested in Central Asia?

Join Angelina and Boris as they explore with Almaty-based political scientist Asel Doolotkeldieva, Dmitry Kalmykov from the Kazakh NGO Karaganda Ecological Museum, and Cecilia Mattea of IRMA (Initiative for Resposible Mining Assurance) in Brussels the significance of these materials in the context of sustainable development and climate change as well as questions of extractivism and neo-colonial dynamics.

Together, they will address pressing questions: How can Central Asia leverage its resources for sustainable growth? What are the challenges and opportunities in balancing economic development with environmental protection? And how can regional and global stakeholders collaborate to create a more sustainable future?

Tune in as we delve into the complex challenges that will define the future of climate action across Central Asia - and beyond.

The Eurasian Climate Brief is a podcast dedicated to climate issues in the region stretching from Eastern Europe to Russia down to the Caucasus and Central Asia.

The 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) ended in late November in Baku. Two weeks of intense climate negotiations unveiled deep divides—particularly between the Global North and South over climate finance and contentious debates on the right wording of transitioning away from fossil fuels.
In this episode Angelina Davydova and Boris Schneider dissect the outcomes of the conference, offering insights into the broader implications for climate action, both globally and in Central Asia. Joining the conversation is Kyrgyz journalist Anastasia Bengard, who attended COP29 as a fellow of the Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP) programme. She shares her firsthand observations from the conference, shedding light on the positions and statements of her home country and Central Asia at large, as detailed in her reporting for 24.kg.
Tune in as we delve into the complex narratives and challenges that will define the future of climate action across Central Asia - and beyond.
The Eurasian Climate Brief is a podcast dedicated to climate issues in the region stretching from Eastern Europe to Russia down to the Caucasus and Central Asia.

This episode is supported by n-ost & eurasianet and made by:

• Angelina Davydova, environmental/climate journalist. Editor of the magazine "Environment and Rights", co-host of the podcast The Day After Tomorrow ("Posle Zavtra"). Environmental projects coordinator with the Dialogue for Understanding e. V (Berlin). Fellow with the Institute for Global Reconstitution (Berlin). Observer of the UN climate negotiations (UNFCCC) since 2008. Expert/editor of the Ukraine War Environmental Consequences Work Group.
• Boris Schneider, political economist. European Programme Manager at Clean Energy Wire CLEW (Berlin). Has worked as a specialist on Eastern European climate and energy topics, amongst others for n-ost and the German Economic Team.

Reports cited in the episode:

• Open Letter on COP reform
• After a disappointing COP29, here’s how to design global climate talks that might actually work
• We are not so naive anymore (Anastasia Bengard's interview with Edil Baisalov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan)

Jingle: Natallia Kunitskaya alias Mustelide
Sound editing & mixing: Angelo Tripkovsky