The climate crisis and the role of Europe’s public banks
Publication | 22 April, 2013With each passing day, there is less chance that we will manage to keep the planet within the “safe” limit of two degrees Celsius global warming that would avoid disastrous climate change. The European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development can play a pivotal role in leveraging more private investment for sustainable energy. Both institutions are now reviewing their energy lending policies.
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EBRD with disastrous start in Kosovo, European Parliament not amused
Blog entry | 19 April, 2013The European Parliament yesterday chastised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for its explicit interest in financing a new lignite-fired power plant in Kosovo. NGOs hope the bank will pay more attention to the Parliament than it did to civil society and energy experts so far.
Read moreEuropean Parliament wants green energy, not coal, as part of Kosovo integration
Press release | 19 April, 2013The European Parliament yesterday blasted the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for considering financing of the planned USD 2 billion Kosova e Re lignite power plant near Pristina.
Read moreComments on biodiversity management plan and ecological assessment for Ombla hydropower plant, Croatia
Publication | 19 April, 2013Croatian electricity company HEP, carried out an assessment of the planned Ombla hydropower plant’s impact on the Vilina Cave – Ombla Spring protected area. This assessment confirms that the site in question is among the most diverse such habitats in the country and that the construction of the power plant would have irreversible and long-lasting impacts on an area that set for protection as part of Croatia’s future Natura 2000 network.
Read moreComments on draft EBRD strategy for Kosovo
Publication | 18 April, 2013These comments focus in particular on the energy sector in Kosovo to avoid a replication of mistakes that the EBRD made in other countries in the region. The Kosovo energy sector presents a wide range of serious challenges and it is of particular concern that the draft strategy includes specifically the new Kosovo lignite power plant project among its possible interventions (while not specifying specific energy efficiency or renewable energy projects).
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[Campaign update] Arctic Sunrise joins campaign against coal power plant in Croatia
Blog entry | 17 April, 2013Yesterday Greenpeace’s legendary ship Arctic Sunrise joined in the campaign against Plomin C, a coal-fired power plant in Croatia.
Read moreKOSID comments on draft EBRD strategy for Kosovo
Publication | 17 April, 2013Kosovo Civil Society Consortium for Sustainable Development (KOSID) is an umbrella for Civil Society groups in Kosovo that follow projects with the aim of contributing to more sustainable solutions. KOSID consists of think tanks, civic initiatives, public information and outreach organizations, and specific professional institutions and associations; those work together as a group in following the projects. KOSID’s comments on the EBRD’s draft strategy for Kosovo argues against supporting a new lignite-fired power plant near Prishtina.
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[Campaign update] New bills for green energy in Serbia
Blog entry | 16 April, 2013By investing in Serbian lignite, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development cements the rigid structure of the country’s electricity market. Investing in energy efficiency instead could help reduce energy bills and free up further renewables funding.
Read moreLetter to EBRD: Kosovo strategy procedural concerns
Publication | 15 April, 2013The EBRD draft strategy for Kosovo is currently under public consultation until April 18. While Bankwatch will also publish comments on the content of the strategy, this letter brings important procedural matters to the EBRD’s attention which, if not improved, will seriously impact the quality of the country strategy.
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Exposing the nuke-speak: responses to the EBRD’s justification for financing nuclear lifetime extensions
Blog entry | 29 March, 2013In an unprecedented effort to defend its support for Ukraine’s nuclear programme the EBRD publicly replies to some of our objections. Several colleagues sent us their (sometimes outraged) rebuttals, which we include here in our rejoinder to the bank’s arguments.
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