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Transport

Road and air transport are among the biggest sources for CO2 emissions. The European Union's (EU) climate change commitments imply an urgent need to de-carbonise transport sector.

Nonetheless, investment policies and practices of the EU, its Member States and the European Investment Bank (EIB) continue to prioritise these sectors with large new infrastructure projects. Specifically in central and eastern Europe (CEE) road transport is increasing rapidly, thus threatening the European Union's (EU) own emission reduction targets.

Bankwatch advocates for a clear a shift in public funding from carbon-intensive and environmentally damaging to more sustainable transportation modes.

Impacts on climate and biodiversity

Europe's transport sector in its current shape is a fundamental threat to any emission reduction targets of the EU, especially when taking developments in central and eastern Europe into account.

At the same time, Bankwatch is concerned about infrastructure projects that clash with some of the most unique natural habitats in central and eastern Europe.

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International financial institutions' role in the transport sector

IFIs should provide crucial funding for an often notoriously underdeveloped public transport infrastructure. This would not only serve the majority of citizen's in their countries of operation, but also help decarbonising their transport sector.

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Saaremaa bridge, Estonia

Saaremaa is the biggest Estonian island (40,000 inhabitants) and an important recreation destination with some 250,000 visitors per year. Famous for its picturesque landscapes, the island's vulnerable ecosystems are in danger of being sacrificed for an expensive bridge construction.

EU Funds
Transport
Via Baltica and Via Carpatia expressways, Poland

Expressway developments in north-east Poland could have devastating ramifications on the Knyszyn and Augustow Primeval Forests and the Biebrza Marshes - areas of extraordinary beauty that are home to unique wildelife.

EU Funds
Transport
Corridor Vc motorway, Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Bosnian section of the international Corridor Vc is planned to run for 330 km through Bosnia and Herzegovina. Concerns about environmental impacts and threats to cultural heritage were raised by local people and cultural figures. The public discussions about the project have led to a series of scandals and a deadlock of the motorway's development.

EBRD
EIB
Transport
Other harmful projects
Moscow - St.Petersburg motorway PPP, Russian Federation

The 43-km section of the Moscow - St. Petersburg motorway near Moscow has triggered massive opposition in Russia and abroad. The section is slated to pass through Khimki Forest Park, a protected natural area with rich wildlife and of great importance to local people living in this polluted and densely populated region.

EBRD
EIB
Transport
Tbilisi Railway Bypass Project, Georgia

In order to improve the efficiency and safety of rail operations within the city of Tbilisi the EBRD together with the EIB is considering a loan of over EUR 290 million for the Tbilisi Railway Bypass Project. The main goal of the project to avoid the transit of hazardous freight (such as oil and oil products) through the middle of the city, but there are several deep concerns that undermine the project goals and cause a serious threat to Tbilisi’s population.

EBRD
EIB
Transport
Social & economic impacts
R1 Prague motorway, Czech Republic

Prague motorway's ringroad R1 is a crucial part of the Czech Republic's Trans-European Network (TEN-T). However, some of the road sections being planned for construction are failing to fulfil TEN-T project criteria and their cost-effectiveness is highly questionable.

EU Funds
Transport
Relocation of the main train station in Brno, Czech Republic

Against overwhelming public opposition, Brno hopes to relocate its main train station with the help of EU funding. Reconstructing the current station would be a much more effective use of public money and wouldn't complicate the lives of tens of thousands of people.

EU Funds
Transport
Vienna-Brno motorway, Austria-Czech Republic

The currently proposed route for the new Brno-Vienna motorway via Mikulov and Drasenhofen, promoted by the Austrian and Czech governments, could become the most expensive and environmentally destructive way to link these two central European cities.

EIB
Transport
D8 Motorway, Czech Republic

The D8 motorway is part of the Berlin - Prague - Budapest - Sofia - Istanbul European multi-modal transport corridor IV. The controversial history of its construction started fifteen years ago when the Czech government reapproved a motorway scheme that was conceived in 1963.

EU Funds
Transport


 

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