Updates on the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Pointers for the EBRDs forthcoming mining sector strategy

The document summarises the goals on which, according to Bankwatch, a future EBRD mining sector strategy needs to be based if the EBRD wants to support sustainable development. It includes specific recommendations to help ensure that EBRD investments in the mining sector bring real benefits for communities, avoid environmental and social harm, reduce CO2 emissions and do not increase countries’ dependence on commodities.

EBRD energy lending figures 2006-2009 – factsheet

Bankwatch’s examination of the EBRD’s own data leads to three main conclusions: EBRD lending for fossil fuel (coal, oil and gas) projects has risen rapidly, and more than tripled between 2008 and 2009. There has been concerted EBRD lending for energy efficiency projects – a welcome development. Lending for renewable energy is increasing but remains at a low level.

Letter to European Commissioners regarding recent developments and ongoing pressures on civil society in and around Khimki

Have you voted in the 2010 worst EU lobbying awards yet?

ArcelorMittal, one of the candidates for the worst EU lobby award, is the world’s largest private steel company, producing 10 per cent of the world’s steel. It is also one of Europe’s largest emitters of CO2. Yet the company successfully lobbied the European Commission on behalf of Europe’s biggest polluters to continue getting free greenhouse gas emissions permits until at least 2020.

Baseball bat attack hospitalises Khimki Forest activist, latest violence connected with controversial Moscow-St Petersburg motorway plans

Environmental and human rights activist Konstantin Fetisov of Khimki near Moscow was today assaulted near his house by unknown assailants wielding a baseball bat and is now in a serious condition in hospital.

Bankwatch’s comments on the EBRD’s draft strategy for Azerbaijan 2010-2013

Our comments highlight the EBRD’s draft strategy’s lack of a clear analysis of social and environmental development outcomes that the EBRD seeks to achieve over the strategy period and the concrete impacts on peoples lives that are expected. Specific sectors covered in our comments are the financial and energy sectors, as well as transport and municipal and environmental infrastructure (MEI).

Bankwatch letter to EBRD Secretary General regarding non-diclosure of project summary for Centerra project

Rotten perceptions, grim reality Turkmenistan off the agenda in European Parliament, Nabucco still nowhere near fit for purpose

Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, launched today, confirms Turkmenistan’s position as one of the world’s least democratic regimes. Promoters of the Nabucco gas pipeline project have opted to adopt a surprisingly tolerant approach to Turkmenistan’s endemic failings.

EBRD response regarding a loan for Centerra Gold and related lack of transparency and public consultation

Bankwatch co-production on Kyrgyz gold mine wins at DOK Leipzig while EBRD sights financing for company featured in the film

During last weeks internationally-renowned 53rd Leipzig Festival for Documentary and Animated Film, DOK Leipzig, Bankwatch’s most recent co-production about the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)-financed Kumtor gold mine in Kyrgyzstan All that Glitters collected two awards: the Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk award for an excellent Eastern European documentary film and the Healthy Workplaces Film Award for the best documentary film about the subject of work.