Corporate largesse meets scepticism at World Water Forum
Blog entry | 21 March, 2012Criticism and protests around the World Water Forum have highlighted the risk of hydropower projects being greenwashed and the dangers these installations can pose to people and nature in many countries.
Read moreThe two sides of reality – what the BTC pipeline means for the EBRD in north Africa
Blog entry | 19 March, 2012To illustrate its readiness to help Arab Spring countries, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development draws on the Baku Tbilisi Ceyhan pipeline project as a positive example. Having closely followed the project, Manana Kochladze outlines why people in north Africa should be wary of what’s to come when the EBRD enters their countries.
Read moreUkraine’s risky nuclear future shouldn’t receive European support
Blog entry | 9 March, 2012Ukraine plans to extend the lifetimes of its fifteen nuclear reactors, most of which will soon pass their expiration date. A new report shows how these plans that are pursued in utter silence have seen only an inadequate assessment.
Read moreBankwatch report: EU supports nuclear life time expansion in Ukraine
Press release | 8 March, 2012Money from Euratom and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is to be used to finance the life time expansion of Ukrainian nuclear reactors, 12 of which had initially been scheduled to close down no later than 2020, according to an expert report published today by CEE Bankwatch Network.
Read moreThe European Commission, an EBRD shareholder that should start acting like one
Blog entry | 1 March, 2012Recent Balkan hydro projects suggest the European Commission could make much better use of its shareholder role in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Read moreEnergy Security for whom? For what?
Blog entry | 28 February, 2012A new report by The Corner House critically examines the notion of “energy security,” one of the buzzwords in European politics used to justify controversial infrastructure projects like the Nabucco gas pipeline or high voltage transmission lines in Ukraine. Here an introduction to the report from its authors.
Read moreOut of left field: A Kyrgyz inspiration for the EBRD
Blog entry | 23 February, 2012Following the publication of one official and one shadow report on the Kumtor gold mine, Kyrgyz authorities have responded to the calls of Bankwatch and other environmental groups to take a tougher stance on the Kumtor mining operations. The EBRD should follow their example.
Read moreThe dirty French-Slovenian connection
Press release | 23 February, 2012Slovenian state anti-corruption body claims ALSTOM could have benefited from corrupt acts to get deal to build new lignite plant at Sostanj.
Read moreKyrgyz lawmakers endorse NGO’s environmental complaints over Kumtor Gold Mine
Press release | 16 February, 2012Bishkek – Both the Kyrgyz government and the parliament took on board this week concerns expressed by environmentalists that the Kumtor gold mine operated by Canadian Centerra Gold Corporation poses serious threats to livelihoods and the environment, including causing the melting of two glaciers in the area.
Read moreEarth’s riches, people’s troubles. Mining in Central Asia
Blog entry | 31 January, 2012Two new reports and two videos on the impacts of mining operations in Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia unearth some of the downsides of the mining business in Central Asia.
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