EU-backed energy projects will harm people and the environment in the Western Balkans
Press release | 30 October, 2013Brussels – NGOs from across the region are expressing very serious concerns about the list of 35 priority energy projects approved by the European Commission-backed Energy Community meeting in Belgrade, Serbia, last Thursday. The decision to support projects that are in conflict with EU environment goals and climate goals has seriously dented the EU’s credibility as a positive force for the protection of the environment and people’s health in the Western Balkans, say the NGOs.
Read moreHow embarrassing: EBRD transparency ranked ‘poorest’ among multilaterals
Blog entry | 29 October, 2013As the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development revises its safeguard policies, the Aid Transparency Index ranks its commitment to openness and transparency as the weakest in comparison with similar institutions.
Read moreGuest post: EBRD financed Ukrainian agribusiness causes local insecurities
Blog entry | 28 October, 2013Environmental groups in Ukraine have highlighted the negative local impacts of one of the biggest agribusinesses in the country, MHP, that is in line to receive additional credit by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Read moreDirty power plants in Western Balkans and Ukraine set to become EU priority
Press release | 22 October, 2013Belgrade – Several environmentally damaging coal and hydropower projects across the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova are likely to be included this Thursday on a priority list of projects of the European Commission-backed Energy Community, meaning they will be fast-tracked for financing over the next years.
Read moreLeading green NGOs in Europe tell the EBRD to step out of coal
Press release | 30 September, 2013Brussels – As the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development today closes the public consultation period on its upcoming energy strategy, a coalition of the ten largest environmental organisations working at the European level, the Green 10, is calling on the bank to phase out fossil fuels from its future lending, beginning with coal, and to rule out lending to risky energy sources, such as nuclear and shale gas.
Read moreA message to EBRD President Suma Chakrabarti
Blog entry | 13 September, 2013In an open letter sent today to the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development 54 civil society organisations follow up from last weeks consultations on the bank’s new energy sector strategy and ask the president to ensure that the EBRD addresses the challenges of climate change with the urgency it deserves. We reproduce the letter’s content here.
Read moreNew arrests link corruption with land expropriation at Serbian Kolubara mine
Blog entry | 11 September, 2013Land expropriation and corruption have been two recurring themes at the Kolubara mine. This week’s arrests indicate that they are closely connected.
Read moreOf horses and roads – protests in Ukraine highlight lack of safety
Blog entry | 11 September, 2013Demonstrations in Kiev have shown that road safety is not only for cars but also pedestrians and other traffic participants – a lesson that the Ukrainian road company still needs to learn and that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development should be teaching more actively.
Read moreEBRD gives up Kolubara B lignite power plant project in Serbia
Press release | 9 September, 2013Subotica, Serbia — The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) confirmed Friday September 6 that it is no longer interested in financing the 750 MW Kolubara B lignite power plant project near Belgrade in Serbia. The project is proposed by Serbian electricity company Elektroprivreda Srbija, with Italy’s Edison as a strategic partner.
Read moreEnergy consultations reveal lack of strategic thinking at the EBRD
Blog entry | 6 September, 2013With another public action, colleagues in Moscow are today bringing to a close a week that has seen the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development having to listen to a lot of uncomfortable truths.
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