Bankwatch statement on the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality goal and central and eastern European country positions
Press release | 20 June, 2019“With Germany now backing the EU’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal, all eyes are on Poland and other countries of central and eastern Europe that have to date refused to back this target because of their reliance on coal.
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A false solution to a real problem?
Blog entry | 14 June, 2019New research by Bankwatch shows energy and climate plans (NECPs) in 7 CEE countries over-rely on unsustainable biomass to reach their renewable energy objectives.
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Protests at pan-European motorway project as time runs out for key wildlife site
Press release | 5 June, 2019Dozens of activists from across Europe have protested and dropped a banner at an international road in Kresna gorge, Bulgaria, to protest against the lack of action from the European Commission and the Bulgarian government to save the key EU-protected wildlife site.
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New study finds climate and energy plans at odds with EU targets for circular economy and emissions reductions
Press release | 5 June, 2019For immediate release – Five countries in central and eastern Europe all plan a variety of waste incineration methods in their national energy and climate plans (NECPs), jeopardising their ability to meet mandatory European targets aimed at improving recycling rates, fostering a circular economy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the sector, finds a new report from CEE Bankwatch Network.
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Taking the chill off Romania’s residential buildings
Blog entry | 4 June, 2019Energy efficiency is taking centre stage in the Energy Union. Last summer, after long negotiations between the Parliament and the Council, a new energy efficiency target was set at 32.5 per cent by 2030. To meet the target, Romania is channelling public funds into renovating its residential sector which accounts for as much as 86 per cent of the country’s built environment.
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EU parliament reverses course, votes for strong action on climate with future funds for Europe’s needy regions
Press release | 27 March, 2019For immediate release. Brussels, Prague – A vote today by the Parliament has excluded fossil fuels from the EUR 320 billion European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cohesion Funds for 2021-2027, signalling a clear commitment to the EU’s obligations to reduce greenhouse gases under the Paris Agreement and its net-zero emissions Long Term Strategy.
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Energy Community: Western Balkan coal subsidies worth over 1.2 billion euros in 2017
Press release | 25 March, 2019For immediate release. Energy Community countries propped up coal mining and electricity generation with direct and indirect public subsidies totalling at least 2.4 billion annually, out of which around half were provided by Western Balkan countries, shows a study (1) released today by the Vienna-based Secretariat of the Energy Community Treaty, the international treaty working to integrate the energy markets of the EU with those of its neighbours.
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Lack of ambition on full display as eastern Member States graded on first climate and energy plans submitted to Commission
Press release | 22 March, 2019Member States across central and eastern Europe continue to do less than their fair share in setting the course for the EU to meet its long-term energy and climate commitments, finds a new Bankwatch analysis [1] of the national energy and climate plans (NECP) in eight Member States.
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Bosnia-Herzegovina politicians defy investigation to approve Chinese loan guarantee for coal power plant
Press release | 26 February, 2019The Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina Parliament looks set to approve a loan guarantee for a EUR 614 million China Exim Bank loan for the Tuzla 7 coal power this Thursday, 28 February, [1], despite an ongoing Energy Community investigation into its compliance with State aid legislation.
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New investigation in Kresna gorge reveals another major breach of law
Blog entry | 15 February, 2019An independent investigation by a Bulgarian TV channel bTV discovered progressing construction works in the Kresna gorge area even though the official procurement procedure is still ongoing.
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