Sounding out the EBRD’s energy strategy: little ambition besides scrapping coal
Blog entry | 13 December, 2013At a closer look the EBRD’s new energy strategy, complimented for the restrictions it places on coal lending, reveals a shocking lack of operational knowledge to implement the ambitions outlined in its executive summary.
Read morePreventing tax loss through offshore financial centres: The EBRD must lead by example
Publication | 12 December, 2013In recent years, the EBRD has increasingly recognised the important role that states play in the transition to a well-functioning market economy that is based on strong institutions and the inclusion of all social groups into the economy. For this, states need resources, and taxation is one of the main means to ensure them.
Read more
EBRD joins other financial institutions in restricting coal lending
Press release | 10 December, 2013The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) approved today during a vote of its Board of Directors a new Energy Strategy. The document is meant to give guidance on how to strategically use the bank’s resources over the next years to promote energy security and affordability and avoid dangerous climate change.
Read moreEBRD soft on coal sector corruption, new analysis shows
Press release | 9 December, 2013The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has been approving financing for coal projects over which corruption allegations loom, and in some cases even while official corruption investigations were underway, according to an analysis published by CEE Bankwatch Network today.
Read moreCoal and corruption – the case of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Publication | 9 December, 2013The EBRD is about to approve a new energy strategy, yet it is unclear to what extent it will follow other public lenders in halting coal financing. In this paper we step away from the discussions on climate issues to take a look at another reason why the EBRD should be wary of investing in coal projects: corruption.
Read more
Ukrainian nuclear sector in defiance and in financial trouble
Blog entry | 4 December, 2013On November 28, the state nuclear regulator of Ukraine (SNRIU) allowed the continued operation of unit 1 of the South Ukrainian nuclear power plant (SUNPP-1) until December 2, 2023 – 10 years beyond its technically designed lifetime. The decision not only constitutes a breach of national regulation, but also disregards an unresolved case of non-compliance with the UN Espoo Convention. All this while Energoatom is in an increasingly tight financial situation.
Read more
UPDATED: Six months and counting… EBRD silent on investigations into its own operations
Blog entry | 3 December, 2013Is the EBRD deliberately dragging its feet on publishing investigation reports on large hydropower plants in Georgia, Macedonia and Croatia?
Read moreLocal impacts of Danosha pig farms, Ukraine
Publication | 27 November, 2013The EBRD is considering a loan to the Ukrainian agribusiness corporation Danosha whose pig farms in the Ivano-Frankvisk region have triggered numerous complains by locals.
Read more
EBRD soldiering on in Egypt
Blog entry | 25 November, 2013Adding to the ongoing febrile atmosphere in the country, Egypt’s military-backed authorities just yesterday passed a controversial new law that imposes draconian restrictions on public protest. Meanwhile, in recent weeks the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has reconfirmed its intention to remain active in the country – despite a number of serious doubts still hanging over its potential impact.
Read moreSouth Ukrainian nuclear power plants – not ready for a safe operation in over-design period
Publication | 25 November, 2013The licence for unit 1 of the South Ukrainian nuclear power plant is going to expire on December 2, 2013. The unit has been stopped already in March 2013 for necessary maintenance and safety upgrade works. The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRIU) conditioned the possibility of the unit’s re-start and lifetime extension to a list of measures that need to be implemented.
Read more
