How Europe’s bank spends cash for climate undermines Paris commitments
Press release | 22 May, 2017An uneven investment strategy across the EU’s 28 Member States and a lack of added value by one of its main financial tools means that the EIB puts the EU at risk of not meeting its climate targets under the Paris Agreement, according to a new briefing from Counter Balance and CEE Bankwatch Network.
Read moreInvestment Plan for Europe more climate friendly, but European Parliament shows little ambition
Press release | 16 May, 2017Today in Strasburg, the European Parliament lead committees have brought the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) closer to compliance with the Paris Climate Agreement. However, they have once again fallen short of eliminating fossil fuel subsidies, which stand in the way of climate action.
Read moreItalian authorities overrun communities in a bid to enable Europe’s dash for gas
Press release | 8 May, 2017In a last minute attempt to force facts on the ground, the Italian authorities have enabled the removal of a group of olive trees to make room for a future construction site of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), despite an earlier agreement between the company and local institutions. Nevertheless, the company has not been able to clear the site by the official deadline and the residents have vowed to step up their protest against the largest energy project the EU is currently pursuing.
Read moreNational and local levels play secondary role in Green Climate Fund, European Investment Bank project illustrates
Blog entry | 25 April, 2017The use of international financial institutions to manage projects within the Green Climate Fund framework has been criticised as too far removed from communities and those affected by the investments. Recently approved projects, the biggest of them administered by the European Investment Bank confirm this view, despite willingness to include civil society.
Read moreWhy no Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (NO TAP), here or elsewhere
Blog entry | 13 April, 2017This article first appeared on the Re:Common website. It was the end of February and the scene is Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. During an official meeting, the Italian government was severely criticised for the considerable delays in the constructio
Read moreRiver defenders gather forces in Georgia
Blog entry | 28 March, 2017This week, activists from across the world are meeting in Tbilisi to share their experiences of resisting hydropower projects and the money that supports them.
Read moreItalian communities block pipeline works to save ancient olive trees
Blog entry | 23 March, 2017An ancient olive grove in southern Italy is currently on the frontlines of grassroots resistance to the Southern Gas Corridor project, the EU’s flagship energy project.
Read moreTackling gender inequality at the EU’s flagship energy project
Blog entry | 7 March, 2017It is fitting that we use today to reflect on the European Investment Bank’s new Strategy on Gender Equality and Women’s Economic Empowerment: 8 March is International Women’s Day. Adopted at the beginning of this year, the strategy complements the ban
Read moreEU watchdog investigating European Investment Bank for maladministration
Press release | 6 March, 2017The European Investment Bank (EIB) is being investigated for maladministration, after the European Ombudsman sent a formal letter opening the case this week (27 February 2017).
Read moreSmall is (not always) beautiful: small hydro development in the Western Balkans
Blog entry | 28 February, 2017It has long been recognised that the human and environmental costs of large dams are extremely high. But what about small ones? Here we unpack some of the myths being spread about small hydropower in the Balkans.
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