Guest post: Mongolian herders file complaint with EBRD about Mongolian iron ore company
Blog entry | 21 January, 2015Herders from the Gobi Altai mountains in western Mongolia have filed a complaint with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The complaint addresses the company Altain Khuder, which at its Tayan Nuur iron ore mine has allegedly caused significant environmental pollution and the displacement of herders in the Mongolian Gobi Altai mountains.
Read morePipe Dreams: Why the Southern Gas Corridor will not reduce EU dependency on Russia
Press release | 21 January, 2015Brussels – The Southern Gas Corridor, the EU’s new pet energy project, is not only unnecessary in light of gas demand projections, but also seems likely to fall short on the much flaunted goal of bringing energy independence from Russia, according to a new NGO study “Pipe Dreams” published today.
Read morePipe dreams – why public subsidies for Lukoil in Azerbaijan will not reduce EU dependency on Russia
Publication | 21 January, 2015The study explains why the Southern Gas Corridor, the EU’s new pet energy project, is not only unnecessary in light of gas demand projections, but also seems likely to fall short on the much flaunted goal of bringing energy independence from Russia.
Read moreOhrid Lake facing damage by EBRD financed infrastructure projects
Press release | 12 January, 2015Concerns mount about increasing threats to Macedonia’s protected areas and the Lake Ohrid UNESCO site by EBRD investments in fast-tracked infrastructure projects.
Read moreEnvironmental Impact Assessment in focus – A tool to promote democracy and environmental protection
Publication | 26 December, 2014The Environmental Impact Assessment process is an important tool for the public in both the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) and the Eastern Partnership region (EaP) to ensure fully fledged public participation. Knowing the general jargon of the EIA process and understanding its structure, functions and aims, provides the public with a great opportunity to ensure its right to participation and to influence decision-making. This publication aims to bring this knowledge to those who can benefit from it.
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All we want for Christmas is to be able to breathe …
Blog entry | 23 December, 2014As you’re gearing up for the festive season, spare a thought for the long-suffering folks in Pljevlja, Montenegro, and Zenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina, who are fighting against serious pollution of air soil, and water.
Read moreComplaint towards EBRD against Mongolian company Altain Khuder and its Tayan Nuur iron ore mine
Publication | 23 December, 2014The complaint, filed by seven individuals affected by the mine on 23 December 2014 at the EBRD’s Project Complaint Mechanism (PCM), alleges that the environmental and social impacts of Altain Khuder’s mine are inconsistent with EBRD’s policies. Herders have brought these impacts to the attention of the company on numerous occasions but rather than solving the problems the company has reacted with intimidation and legal action.
Read moreToolkit on the Project Complaint Mechanism of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Publication | 22 December, 2014The Project Compliance Mechanism (PCM) is the EBRD’s accountability mechanism for the assessment and follow-up of complaints about project financed by the bank. The PCM is a grievance mechanism for civil society, local groups and individuals that may be directly and adversely affected by a bank project. It’s purpose is to help identify when the EBRD or its client has not fulfilled the obligations defined in the bank’s policies and to facilitate a problem-solving process with the EBRD’s client.
Read moreProposed Lukoil EBRD loan – for whose benefit?
Publication | 22 December, 2014Despite the Russian invasion in Ukraine leading to EU and US sanctions against Moscow and major Russian energy companies, public banks supported by EU countries are gearing up to offer almost a billion dollars in financial support to Russian company Lukoil for gas extraction in Azerbaijan.
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When the dust settles – Impacts of the Tayan Nuur iron ore mine on nomadic herders’ lives in Mongolia
Publication | 9 December, 2014This report from a fact-finding mission to the Gobi Altai mountains in Mongolia describes the impacts the Tayan Nuur iron ore mine has on local nomadic herders, including displacement, dust pollution resulting in diminished livestock, and more. While the mining company Altain Khuder responds to criticism with intimidation, the company’s financier, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, is not doing enough to protect herders’ rights.
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