Nordic countries ‘no’ to coal is a glimmer of hope for EBRD energy lending
Blog entry | 5 September, 2013The global campaign to make the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development restrict its coal lending may have found new allies in Nordic countries after their declaration yesterday to seize overseas coal investments.
Read moreThousands remind the EBRD that coal is not an option
Blog entry | 4 September, 2013The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development received a little surprise visit this week from 16 000 voices against coal.
Read morePressure builds on EBRD to quit coal lending
Press release | 4 September, 2013The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development lags behind other major international financial institutions that are moving away from supporting dirty energy projects.
Read moreReality, climate change and global attention is catching up on the ‘sustainable energy’ bank (EBRD)
Blog entry | 28 August, 2013As part of the consultation on its energy sector strategy the EBRD next week hosts public meetings in Istanbul, Belgrade and Moscow to discuss with civil society from its countries of operation. While public pressure is increasing to end coal financing it is important to note that restrictions to carbon-intensive investments must be strictly and clearly defined in the strategy document if they are to improve the EBRD’s climate impact. An article from Bankwatch’s 2012 annual report (pdf) illustrates how a too flexible approach allows the EBRD to greenwash also very dirty investments.
Read moreGroups petition Polish government to drop permit for Europe’s largest planned coal plant
Blog entry | 26 August, 2013On Monday Polish NGOs Client Earth, Workshop for all Beings, Greenpeace, WWF and local community group Eco-Kociewie petitioned the General Director of Environmental Protection to cancel the environmental impact assessment permit for the Polnoc Power Plant in northern Poland.
Read moreAll eyes on the EBRD – will it go coal free?
Blog entry | 14 August, 2013In case you missed it, the tectonic plates just shifted in the world of international financial institution (IFI) energy lending.
Read moreThe EIB finally limits coal lending
Blog entry | 1 August, 2013For the last couple of years, we have been calling on the European Investment Bank to drop coal lending. Finally, we’re starting to see some results.
Read more[Campaign update] EBRD not digging for truth at the Kolubara mine, Serbia
Blog entry | 26 July, 2013By putting too much trust in its client EPS, the EBRD failed to notice that an important grievance mechanism for villagers near the mine was not in place – for two years. [*]
Read morePPPs “poor in practice” admits new EBRD-financed study
Blog entry | 22 July, 2013Despite collecting impressive evidence from 20 years of failed public-private partnerships in central and eastern Europe, an EBRD-financed study by the Economist Intelligence Unit concludes to continue using the controversial financing scheme.
Read moreThe EBRD plans more climate damaging loans in new energy policy draft
Press release | 22 July, 2013London – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) published July 19 a draft (pdf) of its future energy policy. According to CEE Bankwatch Network, although the bank correctly depicts the urgency of transitioning towards low-carbon economies, it falls short when it comes to commitments: lending to fossil fuels is envisaged to continue, including for coal, the dirties of fossil fuels; and promises to support renewables and energy efficiency, though welcome, are not accompanied by persuasive benchmarks and timelines.
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