Social Climate Fund – unlocking the potential for a socially just transition
November 21, 2023
This briefing summarises the most important aspects of the regulation that establishes the Social Climate Fund.
Just transition case study: Żyrardów – regeneration and a city reinvented
November 3, 2023
This case study presents the revitalisation process of Żyrardów, a city in Poland.
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.
Skopje’s five-year subsidy saga has left residents with uninsulated homes
October 20, 2023
Back in 2018, following a public call by the Centar municipality in Skopje, 26 buildings were approved to receive energy-efficient façades. Yet only one building has been retrofitted in five years, leaving the residents in the other 25 buildings back at square one, disheartened by the whole process and forced to look for other alternatives to insulate their old buildings.
Repower communities – not fossil fuels. Analysis of the revised national recovery and resilience plans of 15 Member States
October 11, 2023
The aim of this briefing is to provide an overview of all the revised and submitted national recovery and resilience plans, which include additional reforms and investments.
Guidelines for selecting just transition projects
October 10, 2023
This guide is intended to help local decision-makers select projects aimed at achieving a sustainable energy transition in a diverse, objective and fair manner. It is hoped that it will raise the level of ambition for sustainable solutions in the regions and enable funds to be spent in a way that is consistent with the just transition goals.
Planning for social justice in Territorial Just Transition Plans in central and eastern Europe. September 2023 update – part II
September 28, 2023
This briefing’s main objective is to provide an analysis of how the Territorial Just Transition Plans for seven countries (the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania and Slovakia) approach social issues related to the impacts of the transition on women, youth and various other vulnerable groups.
Bulgarian court rules out Sofia waste incinerator plant due to unassessed health risks and lack of public consultation
September 26, 2023
After eight years of litigation, Sofia’s Administrative Court overturned the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for a waste incineration plant in the Bulgarian capital. Expected to burn processed waste in the form of refuse-derived fuel (RDF), the plant would have put the health of Sofia’s residents at risk, polluted the air, generated toxic ash and created additional traffic, the court ruled.
Why we’re taking legal action on renewables permitting
September 22, 2023
It might seem counterintuitive for organisations that promote a sustainable energy transition to challenge EU initiatives to speed up renewable energy deployment. But due to undemocratic decisions that undermine environmental safeguards and public participation, that’s what we’ve been compelled to do.
Mapping the road to a just transition in central and eastern Europe: an analysis of Territorial Just Transition Plans in 7 countries. September 2023 update – part I
September 21, 2023
Following the brief introduction to the Just Transition Mechanism, this briefing provides an analysis of the approved Territorial Just Transition Plans and identifies what these countries actually intend to do to alleviate the impacts of the transition to carbon neutrality.