EBRD 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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PPPs a threat to national security, says Czech national security service BIS
Blog entry | 21 November, 2013The complicated nature, hidden future debts and other characteristics of public-private partnerships have led the Czech Republic’s national security service to consider them a potential threat to public interests.
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United Kingdom’s retreat from coal increases pressure on EBRD
Blog entry | 21 November, 2013With the United Kingdom, another major shareholder of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is divesting from coal overseas. What does this mean for the upcoming decision on the EBRD’s energy strategy?
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Protests target European bank as it champions coal from the side lines of Warsaw climate conference
Press release | 18 November, 2013Warsaw – Actions are being organised today in several European capitals to protest the attendance of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development at the International Coal and Climate Summit, organised by the World Coal Association in parallel to the United Nation’s climate conference in Poland.
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