Kyrgyzstan’s crackdown on civil society: Are international development banks doing enough?
Blog entry | 20 February, 2024Kyrgyzstan is one of the few countries in Central Asia with an active and vibrant civil society, represented by strong human right defenders and active environmental and social issue groups. Last year, however, the Kyrgyz government proposed two repressive laws on non-governmental organisations and the media, which represent a major setback for the country’s democratic future.
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Bosnia and Herzegovina: Corridor Vc motorway south of Mostar needs rerouting to meet EBRD and EU standards
Press release | 16 February, 2024A European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) compliance review has vindicated Mostar complainants affected by the Corridor Vc in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Now the Federation of BIH government, with support from the EU and European public banks, must ensure effective remedy.
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Can the EBRD deliver effective sustainable infrastructure in the transport and municipal sectors?
Publication | 1 February, 2024This briefing makes recommendations aimed at contributing to the preparation of the EBRD’s new Sustainable Infrastructure Strategy.
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The Western Balkans residential Green Economy Financing Facility: Results so far and recommendations for further action
Publication | 31 January, 2024This briefing assesses the effectiveness of the energy efficiency credit lines for households financed through the Green Economy Financing Facility, in terms of environmental sustainability and attractiveness for users in all six Western Balkan countries.
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New study offers reality check on fossil gas in North Macedonia
Blog entry | 30 January, 2024North Macedonia has ever-more-ambitious plans to increase the use of fossil gas. But these were developed before the recent energy crisis. In addition to the climate havoc, import dependence and fossil-fuel lock-in wrought by gas, a new study shows that pipeline construction costs have increased, high household gasification rates are unlikely, and significant household solar, heat pumps or retrofits could be financed instead.
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Civil society comments on the EBRD’s good governance policies with focus on human rights due diligence
Publication | 15 January, 2024Together with other civil society organisations, Bankwatch submitted comments on the EBRD’s good governance policies, which are currently under revision.
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European development bank decides to keep cooking the planet
Press release | 15 December, 2023The board of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) decided yesterday, 14 December, to green-light a new energy lending policy that, with some caveats, allows for continued financing of fossil gas pipelines and gas-fired power plants.
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Crunch time for European development bank’s fossil fuel spending
Blog entry | 12 December, 2023The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is set to decide the future of its energy investments right after the latest round of UN climate negotiations concludes this week. Its Executive Directors must heed the EU’s call for a fossil fuel subsidy phase-out
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On 14 December 2023, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) could decide to end all fossil fuel investments
Press release | 7 December, 2023Two days* after COP 28 is due to conclude, the board of directors of the EBRD, a multilateral development bank owned by 72 governments, will vote on its new Energy Sector Strategy. This policy will guide the Bank’s energy investments until 2028.
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Gender-related issues in the urban mobility sector in the Canton of Sarajevo
Publication | 5 December, 2023Sarajevo transport system is dominated by private motor vehicles and marred by dissatisfaction. Heavy traffic during rush hours, issues with reliability of public transport and environmental concerns persist. Many of these issues disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including women, who often have distinct travel patterns and needs.
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