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Croatia's EU funds spending plans: unfulfilled potential EU funds could do a whole lot more to help Croatia transform to an efficient sustainable energy system if the country adopts an effective strategy to get there. Click to read: Croatia's EU funds spending plans: unfulfilled potential
Turceni coal unit in Romania shut down after operating illegally The shut down is a great success for clean air in Romania. Many more units may have to follow according to legislation on pollution limits. Click to read: Turceni coal unit in Romania shut down after operating illegally
Misguided spending is undermining Europe's clean energy transition EU billions destined to transform the carbon-intensive, inefficient energy systems of central and eastern Europe are being misspent. Click to read: Misguided spending by is undermining Europe's energy transition
What EU money can't buy Europe’s biggest coal addict is set to waste the transformative potential of EU money – and Brussels is letting it happen. Click to read: What EU money can't buy
New documents on European Investment Bank loans to Volkswagen Disclosed EIB documents offer more details for a bank statement that its loans to Volkswagen may have been connected to the car makers cheating of emission tests.


Current campaigns

Countries in south-eastern Europe are strategic partner countries for the EU's energy sector. They also have high ambitions for coal power.

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Development is not something that happens 'out there' to those 'others'. Neither is it a one way-trip towards a life of 'more' that can simply be bought.

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Who we monitor

EBRD

EBRD

Promoting market economies, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's notion of transition is often blind to its impacts on people and the planet.

EIB

EIB

One of the world's biggest public lenders, the European Investment Bank notoriously neglects environmental and social aspects and acts far away from public control.

EU funds

EU funds

Incoherent funding priorities and inadequate national implementation often inhibit real social, economical and environmental sustainability.

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Publications

Glass Half Full? The state of accountability in development finance January 27, 2016 Study
Real development respects human rights and is shaped by the people it is designed to benefit. However, development projects financed by development finance institutions in many cases has been associated with the dispossession of land, loss of resources, diminished livelihoods and environmental...
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Climate's enfants terribles. How new Member States' misguided use of EU funds is holding... January 26, 2016 Study
This report published by Bankwatch and Friends of the Earth Europe shows how bad spending plans and a lack of climate commitments from nine central and eastern European governments is hampering Europe’s transition away from fossil fuels. The research reveals that in CEE countries only 7 per cent of...
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Bankwatch Mail 63 December 17, 2015 Bankwatch Mail
Published after the conclusion of the UN climate negotiations in Paris, Issue 63 of Bankwatch Mail presents ample evidence of how the EBRD and the EIB continue to be firmly tied to fossil fuel financing, in spite of increasing pressure to do more to end support for carbon-intensive sources of...
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Financing for hydropower in protected areas in southeast Europe December 11, 2015 Study
Southeast Europe is experiencing a wave of hydropower projects. In a region with a deadly combination of Europe's last wild rivers, rampant corruption and inadequate nature protection, the potential for damage is immense. In order to address this issue, we need to know who is making it happen. This...
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Energy Efficiency - Just Do It! Act now for warmer homes, local jobs and cleaner air! September 29, 2015 Study
This report explains the importance of the EU's Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and argues why it must have the strongest objectives and targets as possible for SEE countries.
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Updates

Water disputes persist as Rio Tinto pushes ahead with second Oyu Tolgoi mine
Press release
Nenskra hydropower plant, Georgia
Briefing
Oyu Tolgoi Phase 2: Plans, Issues and Risks
Study

Success stories

Our work has made a difference for people and the environment

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Notes for a better Europe

How a greener EU budget benefits people and environment

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Our quarterly

News, analyses and debates on
international development finance

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