When citizens speak: Lessons on energy poverty from the Romanian town of Petroșani
June 3, 2026
As temperatures rise over the summer months, conversations about heating homes may seem distant for many. Yet for many residents of Petroșani – a former coal-mining town in Romania’s Jiu Valley – the challenge of keeping homes warm is a recurring reality that returns every winter, shaped by ageing buildings, low incomes and limited access to support.
Mixed signals from the European Commission: Undermining housing affordability and the energy transition in central and eastern Europe
May 29, 2026
This briefing highlights the potential impacts of two recent EU policy developments and also presents several successful examples from central and eastern Europe.
Boom and Bust Coal 2026
May 21, 2026
Boom and Bust Coal is an annual survey of the global coal fleet by Global Energy Monitor and partners.
Hydrogen buses in Poland: Where did it all go wrong?
May 18, 2026
The main aim of this report is to highlight the major issues faced by Polish local authorities and public transport operators that have adopted hydrogen-powered buses as part of their decarbonisation efforts
Civil society feedback on the mid-term evaluation of the Ukraine Facility Regulation
May 14, 2026
In the next Multiannual Financial Framework, the EU’s financial instrument for Ukraine must be improved by embedding binding climate and environmental safeguards from the outset and preserving funding for democracy, biodiversity and climate resilience.
Vinnytsia Poultry Farm: Agri-Oligarchy and Its Impacts in Ukraine
May 12, 2026
This report explores the human and environmental rights impacts of this project, financed by Development Finance Institutions.
Advancing sustainable municipal waste management in Ukraine: Lviv agglomeration case study
April 21, 2026
As Ukraine moves forward on its path towards EU integration and post-war recovery, the need to replace outdated waste disposal practices with modern, inclusive and financially sustainable systems is growing. This makes municipal waste management a key area of reform.
Community energy gathers momentum in Estonia
April 15, 2026
Community energy has emerged as a quiet undercurrent in Estonia, but has yet to firmly establish itself in the broader energy debate. Still, a number of pioneering communities across the country have already taken control of their energy production and consumption. Aiming to replace fossil fuels with cleaner and more affordable alternatives, they have adopted practical solutions that combine local needs, renewable energy and cooperative collaboration.
Civil society proposals for amendments to the Ukraine Plan in light of the Ukraine Support Loan
March 18, 2026
We welcome the EU’s continued commitment to supporting Ukraine and meeting its financial requirements through existing financial mechanisms and the additional EUR 90 billion Ukraine Support Loan, which will cover Ukraine’s budgetary needs and ensure investment in the defence sector throughout 2026 and 2027. The loan serves as a vital complement to the support provided by the EU under both the G7 ERA Loans initiative and the Ukraine Facility. We also welcome its concessional design and the intention for interest costs to be covered by the EU budget.
How a pioneering Slovak town is modernising its district heating system
March 17, 2026
With fossil fuel phase-outs underway across Europe, many municipalities must urgently find ways to replace their coal- or gas-based district heating systems. Several resources are available from the EU to help municipalities plan and execute their energy transitions. One town in Slovakia has used these tools to modernise its own district heating system.
