EU’s ‘just transition fund’ gesture muddies budget waters
November 15, 2018
Europe’s fossil fuel-dependent regions could benefit from an additional €5 billion under the next EU budget, thanks to a proposal endorsed by the European Parliament. But it could complicate already complex talks with the Council, which is eager to cut
Strong Commission push for climate action in the next EU budget risks backslide in Parliament and Council
October 31, 2018
Today the Council of the EU is exchanging views on a key piece of the legislation that will govern the one trillion euro EU budget after 2020. While the Commission is proposing an ambitious target for climate spending, developments in the Parliament threaten this move.
Open letter to ministers regarding the EU Budget
October 10, 2018
This letter was sent to EU ministers ahead of the General Affairs Council regarding the Multiannual Financial Framework after 2020.
European Investment Bank and financial intermediaries: key issues and way forward
September 30, 2018
Counter Balance, Bankwatch and partners have identified a persistent lack of transparency and assessment of the economic, environmental and social impact of the EIB’s intermediated operations, which may undermine development impacts. So far they have n
Fulfilling Europe’s potential to lead on climate change
September 26, 2018
Fulfilling Europe’s potential to lead on climate change The European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development are both reviewing their energy sector lending policies. This is an opportunity to live up to their potential
Energy doublethink: contradictions at the EU bank in combatting climate change
September 11, 2018
See the web-version of the report. This year the European Investment Bank is expected to review its 2013 ‘Screening and Assessment Criteria for Energy Projects’, also known as its Energy Lending Criteria, which governs the types of projects the bank ca
The EU’s house bank obstructs climate action with continued fossil fuels spending and lacking investment in sustainable energy – new report
September 6, 2018
Prague – A new Bankwatch analysis released today shows that in the years 2013-2017, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has invested EUR 18.4 billion in renewable energy projects in Europe and beyond, but at the same time handed out EUR 11.8 billion in EU public money to fossil fuels projects. The new report details a set of measures – including an unequivocal commitment to end support for fossil fuels – that can be introduced in the course of the upcoming review of the EIB’s energy strategy to ensure the world’s largest public lender facilitates the global effort to tackle the climate crisis, rather than hamper it.
European Investment Bank energy lending 2013-2017
August 31, 2018
Energy doublethink Contradictions at the EU bank in combatting climate change Anna Roggenbuck EIB policy officer Alternative news on the EIB Help us watchdog the world’s biggest public lending institution by signing up for our e-mail updates. Learn mor
Estonia’s dirty secret
July 25, 2018
Estonia is the second largest emitter of CO2 per capita in the European Union and by far the most carbon-intensive economy among the OECD countries. The reason for that is oil shale, sedimentary rock that has been mined in Estonia for electricity generation since the fifties and, since recently, have also been used for liquid diesel fuel production.
Momentum building in Latvia for transition to a low carbon economy and independence from Russia’s gas
July 24, 2018
On 12 July, Bankwatch member group in Latvia Green Liberty brought together a group of energy experts with Krisjanis Karins, a member of the European Parliament (MEP), to foster the energy transition towards low carbon development and a sustainable energy sector for the country.