Europe has ambitions to become the first climate–neutral continent. But transforming energy systems, especially in central and eastern Europe, requires substantial investment due to outdated infrastructure and reliance on fossil fuels.
While the EU budget currently funds this transition, the key challenge is to ensure impactful, high-quality investments that are both environmentally and socially just.
Involving citizens in investment decisions leads to better outcomes, including greater acceptance, a stronger sense of ownership, and fewer harmful projects.
Bankwatch works to align EU financial flows with the European Green Deal objectives, ensuring they meet the needs of people and the planet.
IN FOCUS
Just transition
Countries across central and eastern Europe are committing to quit coal and shale oil. Now the task is to ensure that the just transition is driven from the bottom up and leaves no one behind as we move towards a sustainable energy future.
Building back biodiversity
Threats facing biodiversity are increasing alongside the drivers of the climate crisis. But investments in climate protection should not come at the expense of those that can help biodiversity. The two crises of climate and biodiversity are interconnected and both must be tackled together, because only by investing in nature can we tackle climate change.
RegENERate: Mobilising Regions for Energetic Re-development and Transformative NECPs
The overall objective of the project is to support the CEE countries’ contribution to the EU efforts towards a net-zero emissions future. The project will contribute to more ambitious and effective climate and energy policies in CEE, backed by a long-term commitment to phase out fossil fuels, improve energy efficiency and promote renewable energy.
RePower the Regions: Ambitious and inclusive clean energy plans for repowering the just transition regions
The participation and leadership of carbon-intensive regions in transitioning to clean energy solutions are prerequisites for achieving EU climate neutrality by 2050. Building on this premise, RePower the Regions aims to ensure that the regions’ clean energy plans are aligned with EU 2030 climate goals and have strong support locally, and to provide practical guidelines and roadmaps on how to repower the regions.
Latest news
RePower the Regions seminar empowers municipalities for a sustainable future
Blog entry | 14 May, 2024On 10 May, 25 dedicated municipality employees from the city of Daugavpils in Latvia took part in a transformative seminar aimed at integrating zero-emission technologies and renewable energy solutions into public infrastructure.
Read moreDestroying while rebuilding: Flawed hydro project set for Polish just transition region needs a rethink
Blog entry | 7 May, 2024Eastern Wielkopolska, one of Poland’s just transition regions, urgently needs to repair the damage caused by decades of lignite mining. One controversial hydrological project slated for the region aims to flood open pits and stabilise water levels. But while these measures appear to be positive steps towards making amends, the environmental impacts of the project have not been assessed, which is likely to result in a number of unintended and damaging consequences.
Read moreLatvia considers a risky nuclear energy development path
Blog entry | 24 April, 2024Latvia already has a relatively high level of renewable energy production and, with many new wind and solar energy projects on the way, the country is not far from providing all the energy needed for its local consumption in annual terms. The greatest challenge remains ensuring a stable, balanced energy system. However, instead of planning for a 100 per cent renewables-based energy mix, the government has sparked a controversy by considering nuclear energy, a costly solution that would delay the transition.
Read moreRelated publications
Inclusion of the Habitats, Birds and Water Framework Directives in the Energy Community Treaty: An urgent imperative
Briefing | 1 December, 2025 | Download PDFThis briefing explains why the Birds Directive, Habitats Directive and Water Framework Directive need to be included in the Energy Community Treaty.
One Month Left: Urgent call for ambitious, inclusive, and socially just National Building Renovation Plans
Open letter | 28 November, 2025 | Download PDFBuild Better Lives aims to ensure decent, affordable and energy efficient homes and buildings for all. It brings together nearly 100 social justice, housing, climate, and youth civil society organisations, in a pan-European, people-oriented campaign for a socially just built environment that lifts millions out of energy poverty.
Bankwatch’s position on the Global Europe instrument
Policy position | 21 November, 2025 | Download PDFThe proposed Global Europe regulation’s objective is to uphold and promote the Union’s values, principles and interests worldwide. However, while human rights, democracy and rule of law are mentioned in the text, the regulation does not provide sufficient mechanisms to advance these principles.
