New Documents
[Policy letter] Letter asking the European Commission's Executive Director in the EBRD to clarify his D1 Motorway Phase One project approval
(August 23, 2010)
On April 27, 2010 at the annual meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Commission’s (EC) Executive Director voted positively regarding the D1 Motorway Phase One project in Slovakia - despite the project's serious shortcomings and an ongoing project screening by the EC (DG Environment) for its compliance with the environmental acquis communautaire.
The letter asks Mr. Lelakis to explain the EC's approach and expresses concern about the lack of consistency within the institution regarding this case.
The letter asks Mr. Lelakis to explain the EC's approach and expresses concern about the lack of consistency within the institution regarding this case.
[Policy letter] Letter requesting the Mayor of Moscow to allow for an unhindered concert-rally "We all live in Khimki Forest!"
(August 19, 2010)
[Comments EU/IFI policies] Bankwatch comments on the EBRD draft financial sector strategy
(August 16, 2010)
The new draft financial sector strategy of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is of even greater importance during this difficult financial period, but it leaves a number of concerns and open questions unanswered which Bankwatch raises in this document, among others regarding foreign currency lending and lending through financial intermediaries, transition and the role of private equity, gender impacts, tax havens, etc.
[Policy letter] EIB response regarding violent clashes in the Khimki forest connected to the Moscow - St.Petersburg motorway
(August 9, 2010)
[Policy letter] Letter calling on European Commission not to grant Community Guarantee for Moscow-St.Petersburg motorway through Khimki Forest
(August 4, 2010)
[Policy letter] EBRD response letter regarding violent clashes in the Khimki forest connected to the Moscow-St.Petersburg motorway
(July 27, 2010)
[Policy letter] Letter to EBRD and EIB regarding violent clashes in the Khimki forest connected to the Moscow-St.Petersburg motorway
(July 26, 2010)
On the morning of July 22, members of civil society were attacked by scores of unidentified assailants. The police, called to the scene by the protestors, chose not to interfere. Reports from the ground indicate that clashes continued before the passively observing police eventually arrested local activists.
The attacks on these protestors follow a blockade that was established by the Movement to Defend Khimki Forest in response to the illegal felling of trees in the forest. Estimates are that nearly seven hectares have been destroyed already.
Bankwatch believes that the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development should immediately drop considerations to finance this project, as it is associated with violence and negligence of the local public interest.
More information on our project page for the Moscow - St.Petersburg motorway.
The attacks on these protestors follow a blockade that was established by the Movement to Defend Khimki Forest in response to the illegal felling of trees in the forest. Estimates are that nearly seven hectares have been destroyed already.
Bankwatch believes that the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development should immediately drop considerations to finance this project, as it is associated with violence and negligence of the local public interest.
More information on our project page for the Moscow - St.Petersburg motorway.
[Response] EIB response regarding violent clashes in the Khimki forest connected to the Moscow - St.Petersburg motorway
(August 9, 2010)
[Response] EBRD response letter regarding violent clashes in the Khimki forest connected to the Moscow-St.Petersburg motorway
(July 27, 2010)
[Policy letter] Letter to EIB and EBRD regarding the logging of trees in the protected Khimki Forest
(July 18, 2010)
[Policy letter] Response from EBRD president Thomas Mirow to Bankwatch's follow up on the bank's annual meeting
(July 12, 2010)
[NGO Study] Can the international financial institutions do more to support new renewables and energy efficiency in south-east Europe?
(July 1, 2010)
As Europe is “greening” its economy and gearing up to decarbonise by 2050, most south-east European (SEE) countries still view energy efficiency and renewable energy as greens on the side of their main dish. Coal power and large hydropower are still the favourites on the menu, as they depend on indigenous resources and keep energy import dependency lower. At the same time other abundant indigenous resources - the renewable ones - are not utilised, due to a lack of incentives for investors, public institutions and households.
Flip through the study in our quick preview.
Flip through the study in our quick preview.
[Comments EU/IFI policies] Bankwatch policy comments on the European Commission's stock taking document: Towards a new energy strategy for Europe 2011-2020
(June 30, 2010)
Bankwatch's comments on the European Commission's DG Energy's document Towards a new energy strategy for Europe (TESE) focus on the emphasise the following priorities for EU public financing that should be incorporated into a new energy strategy:
1. The EU Energy Strategy needs to centre on energy efficiency measures and unlock energy savings potential by setting clear and adequate targets and pursuing reform of its policy and funding instruments.
2. EU external energy policy needs to integrate the overarching objectives of the EU defined in the Treaty and other EU policies: sustainable development, environmental and biodiversity protection1, including long-term climate goals, promotion of human rights and development in the countries of the Global South.
3. The new Energy Strategy needs to give clear policy objectives and funding priorities for EU funding in the framework of Structural and Cohesion Funds as well as loans from the European Investment Bank. In the energy sector they need to concentrate on energy efficiency and renewables subsequently phasing out the economy based on fossil fuels and nuclear energy.
1. The EU Energy Strategy needs to centre on energy efficiency measures and unlock energy savings potential by setting clear and adequate targets and pursuing reform of its policy and funding instruments.
2. EU external energy policy needs to integrate the overarching objectives of the EU defined in the Treaty and other EU policies: sustainable development, environmental and biodiversity protection1, including long-term climate goals, promotion of human rights and development in the countries of the Global South.
3. The new Energy Strategy needs to give clear policy objectives and funding priorities for EU funding in the framework of Structural and Cohesion Funds as well as loans from the European Investment Bank. In the energy sector they need to concentrate on energy efficiency and renewables subsequently phasing out the economy based on fossil fuels and nuclear energy.
[Policy letter] Response from Austrian EIB Board Director Nitsche to our letter on the occasion of the bank's 52nd annual meeting
(June 29, 2010)
[Comments EU/IFI policies] Nabucco and Turkmenistan - Our energy security, Turkmens' misery
(June 27, 2010)
One of the main weaknesses of the Nabucco project is its lack of guaranteed gas supply. If the project is to reach its final capacity of 31 billion cubic metres per year it has to find a supplier with large, unexploited gas reserves. One potential supplier named very often is Turkmenistan - the obscure, gas-rich country situated on the eastern side of the Caspian Sea.
This paper examines the less obvious aspects of the project – its possible impact on Turkmenistan, a country notorious for its grave human rights situation and the dictatorial tendencies of its political leaders. The first section focuses on the link between Nabucco and Turkmenistan, illustrated by the increased activity of political and business supporters of the pipeline in Turkmenistan. The second section describes the appalling situation regarding human rights and democratic freedoms in Turkmenistan. The final section discusses how, with a lack of public oversight over gas revenues in Turkmenistan, the construction of Nabucco may lead to the strengthening of one of the most brutal regimes currently in existence.
Our hope is that this brief analysis will go some way to put in the spotlight one of the most overlooked aspects of pipeline geopolitics, and will help to answer the question: Who pays for our so-called energy security?
This paper examines the less obvious aspects of the project – its possible impact on Turkmenistan, a country notorious for its grave human rights situation and the dictatorial tendencies of its political leaders. The first section focuses on the link between Nabucco and Turkmenistan, illustrated by the increased activity of political and business supporters of the pipeline in Turkmenistan. The second section describes the appalling situation regarding human rights and democratic freedoms in Turkmenistan. The final section discusses how, with a lack of public oversight over gas revenues in Turkmenistan, the construction of Nabucco may lead to the strengthening of one of the most brutal regimes currently in existence.
Our hope is that this brief analysis will go some way to put in the spotlight one of the most overlooked aspects of pipeline geopolitics, and will help to answer the question: Who pays for our so-called energy security?
[Comments EU/IFI policies] Funding instruments for energy efficiency and renewable resources - Basis for round table discussion
(June 25, 2010)
Bankwatch coordinators in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Latvia and Poland have interviewed energy and financial experts from national ministries and other institutions. This paper is a summary of their findings.
The research has been focused on possibilities of public financial support for energy efficiency and renewable resources through different funding instruments - subsidies, loans, guarantees; coming from EU funds, national budgets, international financial institutions and other environmental funds such as Green Investment Schemes.
The research has been focused on possibilities of public financial support for energy efficiency and renewable resources through different funding instruments - subsidies, loans, guarantees; coming from EU funds, national budgets, international financial institutions and other environmental funds such as Green Investment Schemes.
[Policy letter] Letter to EBRD president Thomas Mirow following up on issues raised during the bank's annual meeting
(June 21, 2010)
[Response] Response from EBRD president Thomas Mirow to Bankwatch's follow up on the bank's annual meeting
(July 12, 2010)
[Policy letter] 'Reforming the budget, changing Europe' - What next? - Open letter to President Barroso
(June 18, 2010)
The open letter, signed by members of the Coalition for Sustainable EU Funds, calls on the President of the European Commission Manuel Barroso to ensure a clear, transparent and participatory EU budget reform process that builds on the outcomes of the 2007-2008 consultation “Reforming the budget, changing Europe”, which delivered an unequivocal request for change.
Stakeholders expressed the clear view that the EU budget must invest in Climate, Energy and Competitiveness as the EU makes the transition to sustainable development. It must be in line with the EU’s long term commitments to fighting climate change and accelerate the EU’s transition to a renewable, resource efficient society in 2050.
Stakeholders expressed the clear view that the EU budget must invest in Climate, Energy and Competitiveness as the EU makes the transition to sustainable development. It must be in line with the EU’s long term commitments to fighting climate change and accelerate the EU’s transition to a renewable, resource efficient society in 2050.
[Comments EU/IFI policies] Counter Balance statement on the Commission proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and the Council granting a EU guarantee to the EIB against losses under loans and guarantees for projects outside the EU
(June 9, 2010)
[Policy letter] EIB response to our letter on the occasion of the bank's 52nd annual meeting
(June 6, 2010)
This letter is EIB's response to a letter that Bankwatch and Counter Balance: Challenging the European Investment Bank have written to the EIB's governors ahead of their 52nd annual meeting
in Luxembourg.
[Policy letter] Letter to EIB governors on the occasion of the bank's 52nd annual meeting
(May 27, 2010)
Civil society efforts to directly engage with the governing bodies of the European Investment Bank around the bank's annual meeting (June 8) have fallen on if not deaf ears then at least ears that remain to be convinced about the merits of having a frank exchange of views.
In the calendar of annual meetings of the international financial institutions, the EIB's annual meeting remains off limits for NGOs in contrast to the often fruitful discussions allowed with the staff and governing bodies of institutions like the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
To mark this year's EIB annual meeting, CEE Bankwatch Network and Counter Balance: Challenging the European Investment Bank have written to the EIB's governors ahead of their 52nd annual meeting in Luxembourg.
In the calendar of annual meetings of the international financial institutions, the EIB's annual meeting remains off limits for NGOs in contrast to the often fruitful discussions allowed with the staff and governing bodies of institutions like the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
To mark this year's EIB annual meeting, CEE Bankwatch Network and Counter Balance: Challenging the European Investment Bank have written to the EIB's governors ahead of their 52nd annual meeting in Luxembourg.
[Response] Response from Austrian EIB Board Director Nitsche to our letter on the occasion of the bank's 52nd annual meeting
(June 29, 2010)
[Policy letter] EIB response to request of disclosure of information on the Framework Agreement with Kazakhstan
(May 19, 2010)
CEE Bankwatch Network gratefully acknowledges EU funding support.