Updates on the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

A Partnership of unequals – Electricity exports from the eastern neighbourhood and western Balkans

Cooperation in the energy sector is one of the European Union’s key priorities in its relationships with neighbouring states. Although the promotion of energy efficiency, energy savings and the use of renewable energy sources should be the primary areas of cooperation along with “energy security”, the latter receives the lion’s share of attention and in several cases also a disproportionally large amount of financial support. This can have several negative environmental and social implications as this study shows.

Hydro power plants endanger the Balkan lynx in Macedonia

A fact-finding mission to Macedonia has confirmed our concerns that two planned hydro power plants are set to destroy important natural habitats in the Mavrovo National Park.

Letter to EBRD requesting evaluation of K2R4 safety modernisation before considering new loan to Ukraine’s nuclear energy sector

Due to a number of so far unfulfilled project measures in an EBRD financed safety modernisation project in Ukraine (K2/R4 post start-up safety modernisation programme), Bankwatch has asked the EBRD’s Chief Evaluator for a thorough evaluation before further loans for Ukraine’s nuclear energy company Energoatom are being considered.

Hunger strike begins in protest of cemetery removal at EBRD coal mine in Serbia

Belgrade – An official from the southern Serbian town of Vreoci has begun a hunger strike on Monday to protest against what he considers the unlawful exhumation of a local cemetery to make way for coal extraction at the nearby Kolubara mine. Last year the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development approved a loan of 80 million euros to support the expansion of lignite mining at Kolubara.

The EBRD should listen (better) to civil society in Arab Spring countries

In preparation to its extended lending to Arab Spring countries, the EBRD is conducting consultations with civil society. Yet the bank doesn’t seem to make an appropriate effort.

Revealed: EBRD climate crimes rising

EBRD efforts to clean up its energy lending in central and eastern Europe are being undermined by extensive fossil fuel investments, with astonishing increases in the EBRD’s backing for coal and oil projects in 2011.

EBRD energy lending report: conflicting investments end up contradicting climate science

London – Almost half of the 6.7 billion euros lent by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) between 2006-2011 goes to support for fossil fuels, according to a report issued today by CEE Bankwatch Network. Support for coal, oil and gas must be discontinued altogether, argues Bankwatch, if the bank’s commendable efforts on increasing financing for renewables and energy efficiency are to have a positive impact in the global fight against climate change.

Tug of War: Fossil fuels versus green energy at the EBRD

Our study shows that almost half of the 6.7 billion euros lent by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) between 2006-2011 goes to support for fossil fuels. This will prevent the bank’s commendable efforts to increase lending to new renewables and energy efficiency from actually making a difference in the global fight against climate change.

Tug of War: Fossil fuels vs. green energy at the EBRD

The briefing summarises the findings of the Bankwatch study ‘Tug of War: Fossil fuels vs. green energy at the EBRD’. The study shows that almost half of the 6.7 billion euros lent to energy related projects by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) between 2006-2011 goes to support for fossil fuels. This will prevent the bank’s commendable efforts to increase lending to new renewables and energy efficiency from actually making a difference in the global fight against climate change.

Comments on EBRD Draft Country Strategy for Armenia