New report – deadly legal breaches by Western Balkan coal plants increased in 2022
June 28, 2023
In 2022, deadly air pollution from the Western Balkans’ coal power plants increased compared to 2021, according to the fifth edition of Bankwatch’s Comply or Close report, published today (1). Emissions of all three regulated pollutants – sulphur dioxide (SO2), dust and nitrogen oxides (NOx) grew, and for the first time, the region’s overall limit for NOx was breached.
Serbia: Complaints over illegal operation of Morava coal power plant
June 23, 2023
A complaint by the Renewables and Environmental Regulatory Institute (RERI) and CEE Bankwatch Network (1) challenging Serbia’s failure to comply with pollution control rules under the Energy Community Treaty was recorded yesterday by the the Energy Community Secretariat in Vienna (2).
Green light for major Black Sea gas project will accelerate the climate crisis
June 21, 2023
Romania’s OMV-Petrom announced today its final investment decision on the Neptun Deep fossil gas project in the Black Sea. If built, this massive offshore development could be the final nail in the coffin for Romania’s—and the EU’s—commitments to stem the climate crisis.
EU funds fossil gas in Poland and Romania despite climate goals
June 6, 2023
More than EUR 1.5 billion in EU funds has been provided to Poland and Romania for fossil gas projects since 2014. The two governments have earmarked even larger sums for the current EU budget period despite the bloc’s goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to a report released today by CEE Bankwatch Network.
Energy insecurity: EU funds for fossil gas in Poland and Romania contradict climate goals
June 6, 2023
This report reveals how much EU public money has been channelled toward the expansion of fossil gas infrastructure in Poland and Romania since 2014 as well as what plans these two countries have for using various EU funding sources to finance additional fossil gas projects in coming years.
European Commission urged to act on destructive hydropower projects in Romanian protected areas
May 11, 2023
Bankwatch Romania today submitted a complaint to the European Commission, seeking to reverse an Emergency Ordinance of the Romanian Government, which greenlights nine destructive hydropower projects (1) and is considered to breach three European Union Directives.
Joint civil society letter: Creating a truly Paris-aligned EIB
May 2, 2023
The Fossil Free EIB coalition wrote a joint letter to the European Investment Bank (EIB) to express its views on the upcoming review of the EIB Climate Bank Roadmap.
‘EU climate bank’ keeps back door open for fossil fuel giants
May 2, 2023
The European Investment Bank (EIB) made history with its decision to stop financing fossil fuel energy from 2022 onwards. By adopting the PATH Framework in October 2021, it seemed the EIB had finally set the conditions requiring its clients to disclose information on their corporate-level emissions, as well as decarbonisation plans. But a year later, it made a U-turn.
Clean Heat
April 26, 2023
Clean Heat The cities at the forefront of Europe’s move to fossil-free district heating The need to replace Europe’s dependence on fossil fuels with renewable energy sources has never been more urgent. Heating and cooling account for half of th
Latvia abandons plans for controversial LNG terminal but still needs to ditch fossil gas
April 12, 2023
Latvia’s government announced yesterday (11 April) it is terminating plans for a liquified fossil gas (commonly termed liquified natural gas or LNG) terminal in Skulte.
