Updates on the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

EIB response regarding violent clashes in the Khimki forest connected to the Moscow – St.Petersburg motorway

Khimki Forest movement leader violently detained in Moscow

Yevgenia Chirikova, the leader of the Movement to Defend Khimki Forest, has today been forcibly detained by police in Moscow immediately after a press conference on the persecution of activists opposing the construction of a motorway through the Khimki Forest just outside Moscow. [1] At the time of writing she has been released after several hours of interrogation, but urged to come to Khimki’s police station tomorrow for another round of questioning.

Letter calling on European Commission not to grant Community Guarantee for Moscow-St.Petersburg motorway through Khimki Forest

EBRD response letter regarding violent clashes in the Khimki forest connected to the Moscow-St.Petersburg motorway

Letter to EBRD and EIB regarding violent clashes in the Khimki forest connected to the Moscow-St.Petersburg motorway

On the morning of July 22, members of civil society were attacked by scores of unidentified assailants. The police, called to the scene by the protestors, chose not to interfere. Reports from the ground indicate that clashes continued before the passively observing police eventually arrested local activists.

Letter to EIB and EBRD regarding the logging of trees in the protected Khimki Forest

Conclusion Report by EIB Complaints Office on Bankwatch’s complaint regarding Gazela bridge rehabilitation project Belgrade, Serbia

The report confirms Bankwatchs allegations that EIB did not pay sufficient attention during the project assessment: the severe social impact of the project should have led the EIBs competent services to exercise a cautious and targeted social assessment with a view to pro-actively identifying (and therefore promptly addressing) the major social concerns during the appraisal of the projects, while EIB documents do not contain any documental evidence of an appropriate identification of the social issues at stake.

Groups blast veiled decision-making at European Commission as mining industry revels in rejection of crucial Parliamentary resolution

Environmental organisations have today criticised Commissioner Janez Potocnik for heeding mining industry lobbyists over a democratically elected European Parliament, in failing to open public discussions and rejecting a resolution to ban the use of cyanide in mining processes throughout the European Union.

Can the international financial institutions do more to support new renewables and energy efficiency in south-east Europe?

As Europe is greening its economy and gearing up to decarbonise by 2050, most south-east European (SEE) countries still view energy efficiency and renewable energy as greens on the side of their main dish. Coal power and large hydropower are still the favourites on the menu, as they depend on indigenous resources and keep energy import dependency lower.

Bankwatch policy comments on the European Commission’s stock taking document: Towards a new energy strategy for Europe 2011-2020

Bankwatch’s comments on the European Commission’s DG Energy’s document “Towards a new energy strategy for Europe (TESE)” discusses the priorities for EU public financing we believe should be incorporated into a new energy strategy.