Tunisia case study: the EU and energy in the Arab countries
Publication | 17 November, 2015The European Bank For Reconstruction and Development states that it is “supporting energy efficiency and the development of a sustainable energy sector” and “financing private enterprises, with a focus on SMEs” among its four priorities for Tunisia. In this briefing, the Tunisian Observatory of the Economy (OTE) argues in its assessment of EBRD activities during the period 2012-2014 that it is difficult to find EBRD investments in line with their stated strategy of focusing on SMEs and a sustainable energy sector.
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Infographic: How EU development funds fuel climate change
Publication | 17 November, 2015A Bankwatch research into the EU’s development funds for neighbouring regions finds that considerably more European taxpayer money is supporting fossil fuels than facilitating a sustainable energy transition. This infographic belongs to a report presented in November 2015 to the European Parliament. See the report’s excutive summary >>
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The energy dissonance: How EU development funds fuel climate change while leaders talk decarbonisation
Press release | 17 November, 2015EU leaders repeatedly voice commitments to spearhead the global effort to tackle climate change, primarily through long-term decarbonisation targets. But a Bankwatch research into the EU’s development funds for neighbouring regions finds that considerably more European taxpayer money is supporting fossil fuels than facilitating a sustainable energy transition.
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Ukrainian court backs state attempt to stifle public debate on ageing nuclear fleet
Press release | 29 October, 2015Kiev – Today a Kiev court ruled in favour of a defamation lawsuit brought by the Ukrainian state against a civil society organisation, thus backing the government’s attempts to suppress public debate on the country’s ageing nuclear fleet.
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EBRD policy breaches at Serbia coal mine confirmed by bank’s own complaint mechanism
Press release | 29 October, 2015Prague, Belgrade – A day after the Board of Directors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) approved a new EUR 200 million loan for Serbia’s electric utility Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS), an internal review at the Bank finds that it breached its own environmental and social policy when approving the previous EUR 80 million loan to the same company.
Read moreComments to the EBRD’s draft gender strategy
Publication | 22 October, 2015In spite of positive elements the EBRD’s Draft Strategy for the Promotion of Gender Equality is unclear or appears to lack consistency in some parts. More importantly, the EBRD’s failure to take a rights-based approach to gender equality has resulted in a limited vision of gender equality of economic opportunity “as a key tool” for promoting efficient market transition. By making the business case for gender equality this approach may ensure stronger ownership of the Strategy by the bank, but it is a missed opportunity for aligning the Strategy with the bank’s unique Sustainable Development mandate. Without a persuasive presentation of the EBRD’s strategic approach to safeguarding gender rights, the draft of the Strategy lacks justification for choosing to promote women while refusing to protect them.
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[Campaign update] MEP Rebecca Harms criticises Ukrainian nuclear operator for its lawsuit against activists
Blog entry | 21 October, 2015Nuclear safety activists in Ukraine who face defamation charges by the state nuclear operator Energoatom received support from Rebecca Harms, a member of the European Parliament, recently.
Read moreLetter to government of Namibia: request for access to information about the Tsumeb smelter
Publication | 9 October, 2015The Tsumeb smelter in Namibia belongs to Dundee Precious Metals, a Canadian company that operates and develops gold, copper and silver mines in Bulgaria, Armenia and Serbia. Investigating complaints about local pollution, Bankwatch member group Za Zemiata (BG) repeatedly requested access to environmental information from the Namibian government – to no avail. Read more about the Tsumeb smelter on our blog >>
Read moreComments on Environmental Impact Assessment for Nenskra hydropower plant in Georgia
Publication | 30 September, 2015These comments on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the Nenskra hydropower plant in Georgia concludes that the quality of the submitted report is extremely poor. The report as well as the public hearings organised during its preparation do not comply with Georgian legislation or with the requirements of International Financial Institutions.
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When environmental improvement becomes resettlement – lessons from Serbia’s Kolubara mine
Blog entry | 25 September, 2015European financial institutions and Serbian authorities have failed to address the human impacts of resettlement in Serbia’s lignite mining fields, a new study shows.
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