Hedegaard applies pressure to development banks
Power Engineering International | July 10, 2013The momentum towards a world, or a Europe at least, where renewable power dominates was added to this week, when Connie Hedegaard said development banks ought to take “a lead role in eliminating public support for fossil fuels.”
EU climate commissioner calls for development banks to cut ties with fossil fuels
Blue and Green Tomorrow | July 10, 2013The EU’s commissioner for climate change has urged three large development banks to stop investing in fossil fuels and to instead promote renewable energy in the western Balkans.
Storebrand ditches fossil fuel assets in pursuit of ‘long term, stable returns’
Business Green | July 8, 2013Major victory for global divestment campaign as Nordic investment giant excludes 19 fossil fuel companies from its portfolio
Hedegaard urges development banks to divest from fossil fuels
EurActiv | July 8, 2013Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard has called for development banks with a combined annual lending pot of €130 billion to end support for fossil fuels in their energy lending policy reviews.
EIB cleans up its energy lending policy
Energypost.eu | July 4, 2013The European Investment Bank (EIB) intends to place stricter CO2 emission standards on coal power plants that it finances, but not as strict as the standards president Obama recently proposed in the US. The EIB is also considering investing in shale gas projects, according to a draft of its new energy lending policy. NGOs accuse the EIB of a “missed opportunity to politically reject coal”. With the EBRD and World Bank also mulling new investment criteria, the battle to “green up” Big Energy Money is heating up.
Renaissance des Rußes
Der Spiegel | July 4, 2013Article available upon request
Banks’ Balkan Energy Investments Undermine EU Targets
Balkan Insight | June 27, 2013Heavy investment in fossil fuels by international financial institutions in Western Balkan countries is hindering their compliance with EU climate targets, a report says.
Energy investments in the Balkans damaging EU prospects – report
New Europe | June 27, 2013Continued investment by international public finance institutions in traditional energy projects are hindering the chances of countries in the western Balkans to comply with EU accession requirements, according to a new report.
New EIB policy against EU principles, say climate activists
New Europe | June 26, 2013Environmentalists have reacted angrily to the European Investment Bank (EIB)’s draft energy lending policy, the result of a review process launched last year.
Accession states at risk of CO2 lock-in: study
ENDS Europe | June 26, 2013International financial institutions must phase down their support of fossil fuel-based projects in EU candidate countries to help the states adapt more easily to the bloc’s policies, climate commissioner Connie Hedegaard has warned.