Fossil fuels are fast losing their social license. It is becoming increasingly evident that countries’ continued reliance on dirty hydrocarbons escalates the climate crisis, worsens air pollution and enables war.
Long touted as a ‘bridge fuel,’ fossil gas now needs to be recognised by policymakers for the hurdle to the energy transition that it is, and multilateral development banks should urgently end support for gas projects and gas-dependent companies.
The energy transition has to be just and fast, with citizens, municipalities and workers as critical participants in the process. We are working to ensure no more public money is spent on coal, and public finance is used to accelerate this transition.
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IN FOCUS
Fossil gas
Fossil gas is the new coal. Although often labelled ‘natural,’ fossil gas is a major driver of the climate crisis. There is no more room for new investments in fossil gas projects if we are to avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis and set a path towards decarbonisation.

District heating
District heating and individual heating are still dominated by fossil fuels and inefficient burning of wood without regard to sustainability criteria, in combination with a low degree of energy efficiency. This has to change, since heating plays a crucial role in the transition into a clean and zero-carbon economy.

Just transition
No one should be left behind when we reconstruct our world into one driven by clean energy. Working on just transition brings all actors who believe in fair regional redevelopment to the same table: unions, industry, public administration, governments, civil society and others sharing this goal.

Documentary: Turning the Tide
Our documentary exposes, for the first time, the extent of financial support four of the world’s leading multilateral development banks (MDBs) – the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development – have been providing to the global fossil fuels industry over the past 13 years.
Our analysis shows that since 2008, the oil, coal and gas business has been enjoying no less than EUR 81.5 billion in support from these government-owned financial institutions in the form of loans, grants, credit lines and guarantees.
Coal projects
Ugljevik power plant, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Commissioned in 1985, the 300 MW coal power plant in Ugljevik, Bosnia and Herzegovina, has become famous for emitting more sulphur dioxide than all of Germany’s coal power plants in 2019.
Pljevlja I power plant, Montenegro
The existing 225 MW Pljevlja thermal power plant in the north of Montenegro, near the borders with Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, has been operating since 1982. The plant was originally planned to comprise two units but the second one was never built. The plant, along with the extensive use of coal and wood for heating, has caused unbearably bad air quality in the town.
Kostolac B power plant (B1, B2), Serbia
The Kostolac B power plant, consisting of 2 units of 350 MW each, first started operating in 1987. In 2023, the plant delivered 4445 GWh of electricity to the grid, nearly 20 per cent of the country’s coal-based generation.
Latest news
Hungary’s fracking shame: Green groups challenge expansion of controversial Corvinus project
Blog entry | 13 February, 2025Shale gas extraction, or fracking, is so infamous for its environmental impacts that it is banned in multiple European countries. In Hungary, however, the authorities are looking to expand a fracking project near the border with Romania, despite it already worsening the climate crisis and threatening local agriculture. Campaigners are challenging these risky plans.
Read moreBihor County leads Romania’s geothermal heating revolution with EU support
Blog entry | 27 January, 2025Geothermal energy is becoming an increasingly popular way to heat homes and buildings across Europe. Efficient use of this renewable energy source not only significantly lowers heating costs compared to gas-based systems, but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves urban air quality.
Read moreAgainst all logic, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Federal government ramps up fossil gas ambitions
Blog entry | 14 January, 2025Fossil gas makes up less than three per cent of total energy supply in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), but instead of making use of the opportunity to leapfrog straight from coal to renewables, the Federation of BiH (FBiH) government is inexplicably expanding its gasification ambitions.
Read moreRelated publications
Spirited away – Mongolia’s mining boom and the people that development left behind
Study | 30 January, 2012 | Download PDFThe report, based on a fact finding mission to the Tavan Tolgoi and Oyu Tolgoi mines in Mongolia, examines the social and environmental impacts of mining in Mongolia. It offers a more in-depth look at the impacts on herders who have been displaced by the mining operations, the local effects of the construction of infrastructure and the mining operations themselves.
Complaint to EBRD’s Public Complaint Mechanism: The Sostanj thermal power plant project
Official document | 17 January, 2012 | Download PDFBankwatch, Slovenian NGO Focus and Environmental Legal Service (CZ) ask the EBRD’s Project Complaint Mechanism to undertake a compliance review of whether the bank has complied with its Environmental and Social Policy 2008 in relation to two aspects of the Sostanj lignite thermal power plant: (a) Claims by the EBRD that the project in question is “CCS ready” and (b) the EBRD’s assessment of whether Slovenia can fulfil its obligations in meeting long-term EU climate goals if it undertakes the project.
Complaint regarding Sostanj TES6: CCS, public procurement, economic vialbility
Official document | 9 January, 2012 | Download PDFThe complaint, filed with the European Investment Bank by Environmental Law Service (CZ) and Focus Association for Sustainable Development (SI), outlines controversies in relation to the Sostanj lignite thermal power plant with regards to the following aspects: insubstantial allegation that the project is „carbon capture ready“ and that the assessment submitted by the operator fulfils the criteria set up by the relevant EU Directive, failure to comply with the relevant EU directive for public procurements, questionable economic viability of the project.