Updates on the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

EBRD support for a new lignite power plant in Kosovo: Against EU objectives

The briefing outlines arguments against the 600 MW Kosovo e Re project that involved the construction of a new coal plant close to Prishtina. The project has been heavily promoted by the World Bank and by the US, and now also looks set for funding by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The bank’s new draft Country Strategy for Kosovo, which was approved by the EBRD’s Board of Directors on 1 May, clearly shows the bank’s interest in the project.

Policy briefing: Revision of the EBRD’s Environmental and Social Policy

Policy briefing: Review of the EBRD’s Energy Policy

Information disclosure and public participation in decision-making: necessary changes for EBRD policies

EBRD policy must take a stance: will it limit the ways in which stakeholders interact with each other and with the environment by adopting technical and procedural solutions? Or will it aim to promote shifts in social relations, in line with its mandate to promote sustainability and democratisation in its countries of operation? In this briefing, Bankwatch recommends a number of improvements in the EBRD’s Environmental and Social Policy and its Public Information Policy to better reflect the needs of the public.

Bankwatch Mail 56

Published to coincide with the EBRD’s annual meeting 2013 being held in Istanbul, this issue examines a developing controversial project in the bank’s newest region: a refinery expansion project in Cairo. Other fossil fuel investments by the EBRD also feature in the newsletter – and as the bank goes into major ‘policy review’ mode, with revisions to its energy, environmental and social and public information policies in the pipeline for this year, we put forward the case for the EBRD to rise to the climate challenge with real action rather than words. As the bank’s newly signed Kosovo country strategy demonstrates, however, the bank isn’t on course yet.

Sustainability criteria for small and large hydropower plants

In recent years the EBRD has increased its funding for hydropower plants (HPPs) of all sizes. While small hydropower plants are seen by many as a far safer technology than large hydropower plants, they too can cause interruptions in river flows, loss of biodiversity and the degradation of habitats, disruptions for migrating fish and a lack of water for irrigation and drinking in downstream communities. The updated EBRD Environmental and Social Policy should include safeguards to ensure that small HPPs are truly sustainable.

Kolubara B: a project of the previous century

The energy sector in Serbia is reminiscent of the industrial development strategy of the former socialist Yugoslavia, with thousands of megawatts of power plant capacities planned, and much of that production to be wasted, while people remain unable to afford their energy bills. The EBRD is set to fund this scenario with its support for a lignite-based, inefficient economy in Serbia. This briefing outlines arguments against financing the Kolubara B lignite power plant in Serbia.

Guest post: Development banks and the Arab Spring, new report takes stock

A new report takes a critical look at the engagement of European development banks in Egypt after the popular uprisings in the Middle East and North African region. This article appeared originally on the Counter Balance blog and has been shortened and slightly edited.

Input for online questionnaire on Projects of Energy Community Interest

Our input expresses our main concern relating to the need to develop an energy sector in southeast and eastern Europe that is in line with EU environmental and climate policies and legislation, as well as one which addresses the increasing problem of energy poverty through sparing and efficient energy use. We underline the need for the PECIs projects to be in line with current and forthcoming EU legislation and policies on climate, environment, renewable energy and energy efficiency.

NGO letter regarding Projects of Energy Community Interest

The letter accompanied Bankwatch’s and other NGOs’ input to the public consultation on the proposed Projects of Energy Community Interest in the electricity, gas and oil sectors. With the letter, civil society groups jointly address several important matters about the process, scope and selection criteria. See also Bankwatch’s inputs to the consultation.