In March, acknowledging the importance of sustainability for long-term economic stability, the EU introduced the Lisbon Strategy – a 10-year action and development plan for the EU economy.  

This was followed in November with the publication of the EU’s ‘Green Paper – Towards a European Strategy for the Security of Energy Supply’, which explored pathways to a sustainable energy future. 

In April, Bankwatch held its annual meeting in Šlovice, Czech Republic. Later in December, the World Bank’s Extractive Industry Review published its final report, with a panel of experts recommending that the World Bank cease investments in fossil fuels.