A treasured World Heritage Site in Bulgaria is under threat from a trans-European road network – Equal Times
June 19, 2019
From Valentin Stoichkov’s terrace, the views over the Pirin Mountains are breathtaking. The deputy mayor of the small town of Kresna, in south-western Bulgaria, has built an extension to his family’s modest dacha (summer home) in the foothills of this
ARCHIVED: Export Credit Agencies (ECAs)
June 18, 2019
With many billions of dollars at their disposal, export credit agency finance far outpaces that of development banks and yet avoids the same public scrutiny. Most money flows into large infrastructure projects in politically-volatile countries that oft
In Georgia, leaked contract shows Nenskra hydropower project to cost country USD 60 million a year
June 10, 2019
For immediate release. Prague, Tbilisi – A leaked contract between the Georgian government and the company behind the Nenskra hydropower project includes terms that indicate the project will incur massive losses for the state, according to a report broadcast on 8 June by the national television station Rustavi 2 [1].
EU leaders keep saying climate is a priority. Here’s something they can do
June 6, 2019
The European Investment Bank is the world’s largest multilateral lender and it keeps funding fossil fuels. Next week EU finance ministers can change that Source: EU leaders keep saying climate is a priority. Here’s something they can do
EU enlargement reports show increased concerns on Chinese financing and hydropower sustainability
May 30, 2019
This year’s EU Enlargement Package reiterates a slew of unresolved problems from previous years in the Western Balkans, but gives increased prominence to China’s role in the region and the and the need to reign in uncontrolled hydropower development.
EBRD to Stop Financing HPPs in Protected Areas – Exit – Explaining Albania
May 28, 2019
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced that starting from January 1, 2020 it will not finance hydropower plants (HPP) projects in areas with high biodiversity. EBRD’s new environmental and social policy sets stricter
Czechs are turning greener ahead of the EU elections – will it show at the polls?
May 24, 2019
As the European Parliament elections begin, many commentators, especially in northern and western Europe, have hailed this year’s elections to be the first where climate change and policy will play a major role in voters’ decisions. Even in southern European countries, climate change has moved to the top of its political agenda. On the other, central and eastern European countries have allegedly missed this green wave sweeping through the EU.
Zależy ci na klimacie? Zagłosuj w eurowyborach
May 23, 2019
Europejskie wybory będą kluczowymi w kontekście walki ze zmianami klimatu. Unijna polityka wobec globalnego ocieplenia na pewno stanie po nich o wiele bardziej radykalna niż dotychczas. Będzie musiał się do tego dostosować również Polski rząd. Mówi o t
EBRD tightens standards in response to Balkan hydropower boom
May 16, 2019
As a result of public resistance to small-scale hydropower projects in the Balkans, from the beginning of 2020, the EBRD will ask commercial banks to refer all high-risk projects – including all hydropower plants – for additional checks. The EBRD also requires them to meet higher environmental standards than previously. The bank will ask that such projects are disclosed to the public on the financial intermediary’s website, finally increasing disclosure on these hitherto hidden projects.
Complaint to the European Ombudsman regarding the EIB’s non-disclosure of information
May 14, 2019
This complaint is based on the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the EIB with theEuropean Ombudsman allowing the complainants who are not satisfied with the outcome of the procedure before the European Investment Bank-Complaints Mechanism (EIB-CM)