New cases at UN and EU bodies against Ukraine’s prolongation of nuclear licenses
Blog entry | 8 November, 2016As pressure from civil society and governments is mounting, UN and EU bodies acknowledge Ukraine’s lack of accountability for plans to extend the lifetime of its nuclear fleet. The country could be found in breach of international law. Once again.
Read moreAzerbaijan’s crackdown on civil society must not be tolerated, international NGOs tell industry transparency body
Press release | 25 October, 2016The Azerbaijani government’s relentless repression of civil society should disqualify the country from participating in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), 18 international groups wrote in a letter sent on Thursday (October 20) to members of the EITI board.
Read moreNew life for old nukes in Ukraine means more risk for people and planet
Press release | 3 October, 2016A decision today by Ukraine’s nuclear regulator to extend the operations of another Soviet-era reactor has been made in spite of the country’s failure to implement fully the obligations it took on when receiving EU funding for its ageing nuclear fleet.
Read moreFor European development bank democracy is an afterthought
Blog entry | 19 September, 2016Almost one in four euros lent by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in 2015 went to authoriatrian countries. The bank has clearly decided to ignore its own mandate, or else it would have to considerably shrink its business.
Read moreUkraine’s nuclear energy fixation puts its European financiers to a test
Blog entry | 5 September, 2016In a meeting today, the Espoo Convention’s Implementation Committee will again discuss Ukraine’s compliance with the Convention’s rules. A look back at the last months does not suggest a positive outcome.
Read more‘We have no other option’ – Albanian communities face unjust resettlement process for Trans-Adriatic Pipeline
Blog entry | 4 August, 2016What is a perceived source of security for some can cause instability for others’ lives.
Read moreA ray of light for communities in Serbia’s coal heartland
Blog entry | 22 July, 2016For more than 50 years, the lignite mines in Serbia’s Kolubara basin have been expanding, effectively engulfing the few small communities living between them. For local residents, whose homes have quite literally been teetering on the brink of the mines, life has become unbearable. But a recent court ruling might be paving the way to a long overdue reprieve for residents who have been promised to be relocated.
Read moreNew report: institutionalised corruption in Romania’s third largest company
Press release | 12 July, 2016Counter Balance and its partner Bankwatch have launched a new report exploring corruption cases in Romania’s third largest company. The Oltenia Energy Complex (OEC) is a key player in the energy sector in Romania and today operates ten lignite mines and four power plants. Supposed recipient of a EUR 200 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), OEC stands out for a long list of corruption scandals collected in the last decade.
Read moreNew mudflow hits Georgian village as rainy season reveals poor assessment of hydropower plans
Blog entry | 5 July, 2016As rains cause mudflows in Georgia’s mountains, locals from different regions unite to protest hydropower developments in geologically unstable areas.
Read moreCampaign update: Georgian mountain communities consider restoring long abandoned tradition to tackle threats to their land
Blog entry | 29 June, 2016With hydropower and mining projects encroaching on their lands and livelihoods, Svan communities in Georgia’s northwest consider convening in an ancestral assembly to discuss their course of action.
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