Themes we work on

Slovenia plans to build a new 600 MW unit for the Šoštanj lignite power plant (TEŠ6) which would replace the power plant’s existing units 1-4 and possibly 5. Its promoters argue with increased efficiency, but in fact, this one lignite power plant alone will swallow up almost the country's entire carbon budget by 2050.

Ukraine plans to extend the lifetimes of its fifteen nuclear reactors, most of which will soon pass their expiration date. EURATOM and the EBRD are considering financing a Safety Upgrade Programme that is a crucial stepping stone for the reactors’ prolonged use.

Croatian plans to more than double the capacity of the Plomin coal power plant would result in increased carbon-emissions for several decades. The project’s profitability is questionable and the plans are facing local opposition and conflicting regional legislation.

In 2007, ArcelorMittal (AM) received a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to support further improvements of health and safety practices in its mining complex ArcelorMittal Temirtau (AMT).

ArcelorMittal’s success in securing yet another loan by a public finance institution contrasts starkly with the shortcomings of the previous AMT improvement project that was supported by the EBRD and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Bankwatch, the Center for Introduction of New Environmentally Safe Technologies in Kazakhstan and the coalition Global Action on ArcelorMittal (GAAM) have called for greater transparency and participation in project planning and implementation and for more scrutiny by the EBRD to ensure the effectiveness of activities financed by its loans.