Infographic: If energy security is the question … the Euro-Caspian Mega Pipeline is not the answer
Publication | 29 April, 2015Europe talks of diversifying energy supplies from Russia by building a set of pipelines from the shores of Azerbaijan’s Caspian Sea to Italy. But the EU’s dependency on Azerbaijan for fossil energy fuels repression and feeds the authoritarian Aliyev regime. All the while, Europe does not need all that gas.
Read moreEurope’s back is to the future: Bankwatch and Counter Balance statement on the first projects of the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI)
Press release | 23 April, 2015Yesterday the European Investment Bank announced the first four projects to be financed from the EUR 315 billion EFSI. These include EUR 303 million for health care research in Spain, a public-private partnership in the Irish health sector, the expansion of the Dubrovnik airport in Croatia and a nineteenth century Italian steel factory.
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Tax dodging, development and European public banks
Blog entry | 22 April, 2015A new report highlights how the weak taxation policy of the European Investment Bank is undermining its ability to serve public interest in Europe and the Global South at a time when the use of tax haven is exposed as one of the most important barriers to development.
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“Fight tax havens, start with the European Investment Bank”, argues new report
Press release | 21 April, 2015Counter Balance & Re:Common press release The European Investment Bank (EIB) was the first Development Financial Institution (DFI) to adopt a tax haven policy in 2009. However, more than five years on EIB money still runs via tax havens. A new report by Counter Balance and Re:Common* ‘Towards a Responsible Taxation Policy for the EIB’ which is launched today calls on the EU’s public bank to grasp the political momentum at EU level to prevent any public money from flowing through tax havens. Country by country reporting, identification of beneficial ownership and a workable list of non-compliant jurisdictions would be key ingredients of a real “Responsible Taxation Policy”.
Read moreParliament presses for more scrutiny of EU Investment Plan but guts green prospects
Press release | 20 April, 2015BRUSSELS – MEPs ditch ring fencing for energy savings but demand more democratic oversight over the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) that has been setup to implement Commission President Juncker’s economic recovery plan.
Read moreLetter to European Commission: Request for information on EIB’s involvement in the Transadriatic Pipeline (TAP)
Publication | 9 April, 2015Given the size of the Southern Gas Corridor project it is important that its effects on the environment and especially nearby Natura 2000 sites are duely accessed and that the necessary time to conduct public consultation both in the EU-28 countries and outside of the EU-28 as indicated to the Commission during various meetings related to the second list of PCIs preparation.
Read moreDevelopment Banks Urged to Review Support for Mekong Dams, 10 Years After Nam Theun 2
Press release | 1 April, 2015Amsterdam/Bangkok/Manila/Prague/Tokyo – Non-governmental organizations are calling on the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and European Investment Bank (EIB) to publicly acknowledge the millions of dollars of failed investment in their flagship project, Nam Theun 2. This 1070 MW dam has failed to bring intended development benefits, and instead has unleashed a range of negative impacts on the affected populations in central Laos.
Read moreInput to EIB climate policy consultation
Publication | 16 March, 2015The comments were jointly submitted by Bankwatch, Counter Balance, Focus, urgewald, Both Ends, Estonian Green Movement, Transport and Environment, CEPA Slovakia and Latvian Green Movement.
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European Parliament intergroup ITCO condemns new transparency policy of the European Investment Bank
Blog entry | 13 March, 2015The European Investment Bank’s slide towards secrecy, manifest in its newly adopted transparency policy, has been lambasted by the intergroup of the European Parliament responsible for transparency and corruption.
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EIB’s new transparency policy allows for more secrecy
Press release | 11 March, 2015Brussels – Yesterday the European Investment Bank (EIB) formally adopted a revised transparency policy including controversial exceptions to the disclosure of internal documents. This watered down transparency policy comes right before the bank will start implementing the € 315 billion Juncker plan and risks undermining the impact of EU recovery efforts.
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