Ukraine, EU: An incomplete debate on nuclear energy
EurActiv | March 21, 2012For some people in Ukraine, it has been striking to see how little awareness and discussion there is in Europe about Kyiv’s plans to expand the lifetime of 12 old nuclear reactors, right on the doorstep of the EU and most likely at European taxpayers’ expense, writes Iryna Holovko, an environmental campaigner in Ukraine.
European bank criticized for encouraging Mubarak-era policies
Egypt Independent | March 12, 2012The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights issued this month a scathing critique of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s vision for economic development in Egypt.
In Kyrgyzstan, a Mountain of Trouble
Transitions Online | March 5, 2012The Kyrgyz government desperately needs the money generated by gold mining. But can it live with the growing international criticism?
Regional budget talks locked in ‘pre-crisis period’
EurActiv | March 1, 2012Negotiations on the role regional funds will play in the EU’s next multi-annual budget are stagnating because talks are taking place in the context of the pre-crisis period, Fabian Zuleeg of the European Policy Centre told EurActiv in an interview.
Bankwatch slams Romania’s free EUA request
Carbon Finance | February 27, 2012NGO Bankwatch has criticised the national emissions plan submitted by Romania to the European Commission, claiming the east European country intends to use free emissions allowances from 2013 to invest “almost exclusively in fossil fuel facilities”.
New: the EU budget – it has never been so green
European Energy Review | February 24, 2012For the first time ever decarbonisation is an explicit goal of the next EU budget. And it shows: the European Commission wants to devote fully 20% of the 1 trillion budget, which runs from 2014 to 2020, to climate-related actions. The goal: to change the face of the European energy system and sow the seeds for a low-carbon economy in 2050. But it is the Member States who will ultimately have to make up their minds whether they want to make the EU’s green dream come true. Sonja van Renssen reports from Brussels.
NGOs: Romania’s submissions for greenhouse gas allowances contradict EU’s goals
Romania Insider | February 22, 2012Romania has not included investments in wind, hydro, solar or geothermal power plants in its national plan, submitted in September 2011 to the European Commission to obtain greenhouse gas emissions allowances, found a recent analysis issued by CEE Bankwatch Network and Greenpeace Romania.
L’or contre l’eau au Kirghizstan
Affaires Strateguiques | February 17, 2012L’entreprise minière Kumtor Gold Mine est aujourd’hui montrée du doigt par deux études sorties consécutivement et qui l’accusent de négligences graves aux conséquences nuisibles pour le reste de la région centrasiatique. Dans un contexte géographique où l’eau constitue un enjeu majeur, le Kirghizstan bénéficie d’un avantage stratégique puisqu’il est placé en amont des autres pays. Si la gestion des ressources hydriques se fait théoriquement en concertation avec les autres partenaires de la région, ces deux rapports montrent que les relations sont conflictuelles.
Mongolia as Minegolia? Paying the Price
New York Times | February 16, 2012http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/15/mongolia-as-mine-golia-paying-the-price/
Gold Mine Strike Costing Kyrgyzstan Millions Per Week
eurasianet | February 15, 2012A week-old strike at Kyrgyzstan’s largest gold mine is costing Bishkek approximately $380,000 per day, according to the Vechernii Bishkek newspaper. Judging by a brief slowdown last year, the walkout could sharply affect growth forecasts.
