* Micronesia takes on Czech coal plant extension
* Request could pave way for others to do same
* Underscores disappointment with Copenhagen accord
By Michael Kahn
PRAGUE, Jan 12 (Reuters) - 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 U.N
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."
