Rio Tinto’s responsibilities in Mongolia extend beyond shareholders
Blog entry | 15 February, 2013New civil society recommendations for the Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia illustrate that much more than the bottom line needs to be considered to avoid development at the expense of local communities.
Read moreNGOs suggest key recommendations for Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold mine project in Mongolia
Publication | 15 February, 2013The letter, signed by 39 organisations, outlines ongoing concerns about the Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold mine in Mongolia, which is currently under consideration for financing by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The project, one of the largest and most complex infrastructure investments proposed by the EBRD, poses a significant environmental and social risk to the local communities, as well as to the country at large.
Read more
Bogus logic in Ukraine: A nature reserve not worth protecting
Blog entry | 13 February, 2013If you thought the purpose of a nature reserve is to protect wildlife from disruptive human interference, then you’re wrong – at least when it comes to nature that’s in the way of electricity infrastructure in Ukraine.
Read more
Anti-coal campaign in Kosovo puts focus on health
Blog entry | 4 February, 2013A campaign against a new lignite power plant in Kosovo uses World Bank figures to highlight the health damage resulting from pollution.
Read more
Kolubara “mired in crime and corruption”
Blog entry | 30 January, 2013Those were the words of Serbian Energy Minister Zorana Mihajlović, speaking last week in a press conference during which she announced that a thorough investigation is ongoing into corrupt practices by the management of the Kolubara mining complex.
Read more
Good news: EBRD drops controversial Monsanto project
Blog entry | 28 January, 2013A potential cooperation between the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the agro-corporation Monsanto has thankfully not come to fruition. The case highlights the difficulties for a large development bank to reach farmers on the ground.
Read more
Off on the wrong foot in Kosovo? A lignite power plant and the EBRD
Blog entry | 25 January, 2013Notwithstanding the dominance of lignite in Kosovo’s energy mix, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development may get involved with yet another lignite project in the Western Balkans.
Read moreComments on EBRD policy and forthcoming energy strategy (Urgewalt/Klimaallianz, DE)
Publication | 16 January, 2013In their comments, the German NGO urgewald and the environmental coalition Klimaallianz focus on the EBRD’s support for fossil fuels and nuclear energy. Their recommendations call for a phase out of loans to fossil fuels, a more stringent approach to energy efficiency and a stronger focus on renewables for domestic needs.
Read moreComments on the EBRD’s 2006 Energy Operations Policy and recommendations for the forthcoming Energy Strategy
Publication | 15 January, 2013As the first step in its review of its Energy Operations Policy, the EBRD asked for input on its current policy before moving on to write the new sectoral strategy. In our comments, Bankwatch highlighted the current policy’s lack of restrictions on climate-damaging projects including coal power plants and the need for the bank to adopt strict sustainability criteria in order to ensure that it supports only truly sustainable renewable energy.
Read more
The worst company of the year – Vote for Alstom in the People’s Public Eye Awards 2013
Blog entry | 8 January, 2013Alstom, the constructor for the Sostanj lignite power plant might just be the worst company of the year. You can vote for Alstom in the Public Eye Awards until January 23.
Read more
