Development banks energy investments jeopardise the ability of Balkan accession countries to meet EU energy and climate targets, says new report
Press release | 25 June, 2013Brussels, Belgium – Heavy investments in fossil fuels by international financial institutions (IFIs) in the Western Balkans are hindering these countries’ compliance with EU accession requirements, finds a new report – “Invest in Haste, Repent at Leisure” – from civil society organizations CEE Bankwatch Network, SEE Change Net and WWF, created as part of the SEE SEP (South East Europe Sustainable Energy Policy) programme.
Read moreEleventh hour for Europe’s bank to lead on climate change
Press release | 20 June, 2013Brussels — Ahead of next week’s expected release from the European Investment Bank of its final draft energy policy, CEE Bankwatch Network and Counter Balance are urging the EU’s house bank to ensure that its annual portfolio of EUR 70 billion is guided by a policy that enables Europe to meet its long-term commitments on climate.
Read moreOff balance – The Georgian energy sector and the contradictions in EU policy and practice
Publication | 18 June, 2013This study reviews the development of greenfield hydro projects in Georgia and explores how current energy sector trends in the country relate – or otherwise – to sustainable energy principles.
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Face the future: Members of European Parliament discuss energy lending of European public banks
Blog entry | 3 June, 2013A roundtable discussion on European public banks and energy lending brought together Members of the European Parliament and non-governmental organisations, while the public banks themselves chose to stay away.
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EU leaders support green energy campaign: The European Council calls for phasing out fossil fuel subsidies
Blog entry | 23 May, 2013Just as Bankwatch published a new infographic juxtaposing the European Investment Bank’s beneficial and harmful energy lending, Europe’s political leaders have set a priority for energy investments to phase out fossil fuel subsidies and focus on clean energy instead.
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The European Investment Bank’s energy lending: stuck in the past or facing the future?
Press release | 23 May, 2013The European Investment Bank, the house bank of the European Union, which directs a fifth of its annual lending portfolio of 60 to 70 billion euros to energy projects, is currently reviewing the policy document that guides its lending to the power sector. On this occasion, Bankwatch is publishing a poster of positive and negative examples of the bank’s lending to energy projects.
Read moreThe EIB’s energy lending: stuck in the past or facing the future?
Publication | 21 May, 2013This poster examines positive and negative examples of the European Investment Bank’s energy projects. It illustrates why it matters what will be in the future energy lending policy of the EU’s bank. See an interactive version of the poster >>>
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Connie Hedegaard: Stop paying the polluters
Publication | 10 May, 2013“When the winds of change blow,” says an old Chinese proverb, “some build walls, and others build wind mills.”
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NEVER AGAIN – Sostanj lignite power plant financing slammed
Publication | 10 May, 2013Following confirmation at the beginning of March that the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development are paying out half a billion euros in loans for a new unit at the Sostanj lignite power plant (TES 6) in Slovenia, 98 organisations sent an open letter to both banks calling on them to never commit to such misguided loans again.
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A black future for the Black Sea and its people – is the rest of Europe funding Turkey’s huge coal power plans?
Publication | 10 May, 2013Amasra, situated on the south coast of the Black Sea, is an ancient city that these days bases its economy on tourism and fishing. It’s the beginning of April and the women’s market is welcoming the first tourists of the year with fresh cheese, home-made pasta and vegetables. On the wall in a nearby cafe hangs a large poster with the slogan: “Amasra does not need a power plant”.
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