The Energy Sector Strategy 2024-2028 Must Mark the End of the EBRD’s Support to Fossil Fuels
October 23, 2023
As the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is drafting its 2024-2028 Energy Sector Strategy, Bankwatch and 130 civil society groups from more than 40 countries released a joint statement urging the Bank to recommit to tackling the climate crisis.
Scaling up investments in the decarbonisation of district heating in Western Balkan communities
October 16, 2023
This report describes both the constraints facing primarily small and medium-sized communities in the region that wish to upgrade their district heating networks as well as the financial needs and potential in recalibrating financial streams to unlock a just and sustainable heating transition in the Western Balkans.
The Montenegrin mountain town pursuing sustainable district heating
October 5, 2023
As cities and towns across central and eastern Europe work toward decarbonising their heating systems, the need to deploy renewable energy alternatives in the sector has never been greater. The small town of Žabljak, nestled in the mountainous region of northern Montenegro, is at the forefront of this effort.
Thousands demand European development bank stops financing fossil fuels
September 27, 2023
Over 6200 emails have been sent to the European Bank for Reconstruction Development (EBRD) calling for its next energy policy to end financing for fossil fuels and step up investments in the energy transition.
Legal challenges hit Greece – North Macedonia gas pipeline plans
September 19, 2023
Non-governmental organisations CEE Bankwatch Network and Eko-svest have submitted three formal complaints alleging legal breaches in the planned Greece – North Macedonia fossil gas pipeline project.
Romania’s fossil fuel-driven district heating plans are holding back a sustainable energy transition
August 23, 2023
A measure intended to replace Romania’s coal-fired plants with highly efficient combined heat and power (CHP) for use in district heating systems is slated for funding under Romania’s national recovery and resilience plan.
Bulgarian government’s Black Sea gas ambitions: a dangerous distraction from a just energy transition
August 8, 2023
In stark contradiction with the urgent need and ambitious measures taken to end Europe’s dependence on fossil fuels, the Bulgarian government is working to join a fossil gas prospecting project in the Black Sea.
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.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s draft NECP: The good, the bad and the ugly
July 20, 2023
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s draft NECP finally looks to the future, plans no new fossil fuel power plants and significantly scales back unrealistic hydropower plans. But existing coal plants are to keep operating illegally and the draft is furtive about coal-to-biomass plans.
