Black Clouds Looming – How Turkey’s coal spree is threatening local economies on the Black Sea
Publication | 4 November, 2013Since 2009 Turkey has experienced a boom in the construction of coal-fired power plants in response to growing energy demand, increasing gas prices and its abundant coal reserves. Based on a field trip to the Black Sea, this report finds that while environmental impacts of coal power plants are only inadequately assessed, alternatives to coal are neither analysed nor discussed at the policy or project levels. National authorities show a disregard of public concerns and offer only limited access to information for the public.
Read moreEU-backed energy projects will harm people and the environment in the Western Balkans
Press release | 30 October, 2013Brussels – NGOs from across the region are expressing very serious concerns about the list of 35 priority energy projects approved by the European Commission-backed Energy Community meeting in Belgrade, Serbia, last Thursday. The decision to support projects that are in conflict with EU environment goals and climate goals has seriously dented the EU’s credibility as a positive force for the protection of the environment and people’s health in the Western Balkans, say the NGOs.
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How embarrassing: EBRD transparency ranked ‘poorest’ among multilaterals
Blog entry | 29 October, 2013As the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development revises its safeguard policies, the Aid Transparency Index ranks its commitment to openness and transparency as the weakest in comparison with similar institutions.
Read moreDirty power plants in Western Balkans and Ukraine set to become EU priority
Press release | 22 October, 2013Belgrade – Several environmentally damaging coal and hydropower projects across the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova are likely to be included this Thursday on a priority list of projects of the European Commission-backed Energy Community, meaning they will be fast-tracked for financing over the next years.
Read moreWestern Balkans and Ukraine: EC-backed Energy Community to prioritise coal plants that threaten EU long-term climate targets
Publication | 22 October, 2013The Western Balkans countries are aspiring to become members of the European Union. On 24 October the Ministerial Council of the EC-backed Energy Community will approve a list of priority energy infrastructure projects resulting from the Regional Energy Strategy known as Projects of Energy Community Interest (PECIs) for the Western Balkans, Moldova and Ukraine. These projects would be prioritised for fast-track approval and public financing.
Read moreКомментарии Бенквоч к проекту энергетической политики ЕИБ
Publication | 17 October, 2013Европейский инвестиционный банк, собственный банк ЕС и один из крупнейших в мире кредиторов, подорвет глобальное лидерство ЕС в области борьбы с изменениями климата, если примет свою будущую энергетическую политику в том виде, в каком банк представил её вчера общественности. Проект политики включает стандарты для кредитования угольных электростанций, которые слабее, чем предлагаются в настоящее время в США и Канаде.
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Of horses and roads – protests in Ukraine highlight lack of safety
Blog entry | 11 September, 2013Demonstrations in Kiev have shown that road safety is not only for cars but also pedestrians and other traffic participants – a lesson that the Ukrainian road company still needs to learn and that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development should be teaching more actively.
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Groups petition Polish government to drop permit for Europe’s largest planned coal plant
Blog entry | 26 August, 2013On Monday Polish NGOs Client Earth, Workshop for all Beings, Greenpeace, WWF and local community group Eco-Kociewie petitioned the General Director of Environmental Protection to cancel the environmental impact assessment permit for the Polnoc Power Plant in northern Poland.
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All eyes on the EBRD – will it go coal free?
Blog entry | 14 August, 2013In case you missed it, the tectonic plates just shifted in the world of international financial institution (IFI) energy lending.
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The EIB finally limits coal lending
Blog entry | 1 August, 2013For the last couple of years, we have been calling on the European Investment Bank to drop coal lending. Finally, we’re starting to see some results.
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