Mapping the road to a just transition in central and eastern Europe: an analysis of Territorial Just Transition Plans in 7 countries. September 2023 update – part I
September 21, 2023
Following the brief introduction to the Just Transition Mechanism, this briefing provides an analysis of the approved Territorial Just Transition Plans and identifies what these countries actually intend to do to alleviate the impacts of the transition to carbon neutrality.
Renewables boost much-needed, but weakening of environmental safeguards inexcusable
September 12, 2023
The European Parliament plenary today approved an updated Renewable Energy Directive setting a new renewable target of 42.5 per cent by 2030. The changes give a much-needed boost to small-scale solar and heat pumps, but undermine existing environmental legislation. Some renewables will be allowed to skip crucial environmental assessments and more damaging projects will be allowed in the EU’s protected natural areas.
Hungarian public given just two weeks to voice concerns over EUR 5.5 billion REPowerEU chapter
August 7, 2023
Despite months of preparatory negotiations between the Hungarian government and the European Commission, the Hungarian public has only two weeks in August to participate in the public consultation on the extensive 67-page draft REPowerEU chapter before it’s submitted to the European Commission by 31 August.
Webinar ‘The green hydrogen illusion’
August 3, 2023
In the first of this webinar series, we will present the technical limits of this ‘new solution’, with an overview of the public funding sources that will flow directly to fossil companies to feed the hydrogen bubble.
Cutting off the pipeline from REPowerEU to the fossil gas industry
July 27, 2023
In May 2022, the European Commission, in response to the energy crisis, launched the REPowerEU plan – a set of measures aimed at ending the EU’s dependence on Russian fossil fuel imports by 2027. The plan emphasises the diversification of gas and oil supply sources, the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy sources by accelerating Europe’s clean energy transition, and the reduction of energy consumption, primarily gas, in the EU. Yet despite its ambitious scope, the plan excessively prioritises the interests of the fossil fuel industry.
Three governments are seeking EU money to deepen fossil gas dependence under the guise of energy emergency
July 27, 2023
Although the EU has managed to brave the energy emergency triggered by Russia’s assault on Ukraine, a Bankwatch report released today reveals that the Polish, Croatian and Bulgarian governments are still seeking at least EUR 1.5 billion in EU public money to build new fossil gas infrastructure under the guise of an emergency response.
European Ombudsman urges European Investment Bank to enhance transparency – once again!
July 26, 2023
The European Investment Bank (EIB), the EU’s lending arm, is facing renewed pressure to improve its transparency (1). In a recent decision, the Ombudsman highlighted the EIB’s insufficient justification for withholding access to environmental information related to a significant loan granted to Poland’s largest state-owned energy utility, PGE (2).
Czech recovery plan greener with REPowerEU, but risks remain
July 18, 2023
With the addition of the new REPowerEU chapter, the Czech recovery plan has undergone significant changes, particularly the removal of two fossil fuel projects that had been previously considered. However, crucial reforms are still needed to keep the country on track to meet its EU climate targets.
National energy and climate plans: catalysts for the energy transition or box-ticking exercises?
June 30, 2023
The following report shows how seven central and eastern European (CEE) countries are approaching the NECP revision and details how the context has changed since the initial NECPs were prepared in 2018 and 2019.
European Green Deal – workshop for NGOs
June 28, 2023
The event was dedicated to NGOs focused on the European Green Deal (EGD) and European funds. It aimed to provide representatives of civil society, particularly members of monitoring committees, with crucial knowledge of EU funds and their alignment with the EGD.
