Europe has ambitions to become a global leader in the fight against climate breakdown. Transforming the continent’s energy systems and shifting towards climate-friendly alternatives requires massive investments, especially in central and eastern Europe, where outdated infrastructure and a reliance on fossil fuels persists.
The good news is that the EU has the financial means to fund this transformation. The challenge is ensuring that the investments of today are geared towards addressing the climate crisis and Europe’s declining state of nature.
We know that when people have a voice in investment decisions, the results speak for themselves: more acceptance and ownership of spending and a greater chance that harmful and wasteful projects are avoided.
We work to ensure that EU financial flows address the climate crisis and do no harm to people and nature. We do this by involving the public in the design and spending of EU investments.
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.
![Just transition Beyond fossil fuels strategic area page](https://bankwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/WWW-Use-for-webpage-covers-blog-post-publications-PRs-15.png)
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.
![2022_03_biodiversity_campaign photo](https://bankwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2022_03_biodiversity_campaign-photo.png)
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.
![2021_RegENErate_project_cover_Konin_fot.MilenaAntonowicz Open-pit mine, Konin, Poland, picture: Milena Antonowicz](https://bankwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2021_RegENErate_project_cover_Konin_fot.MilenaAntonowicz-2.png)
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.
![IMG_1206](https://bankwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_1206-scaled.jpg)
Latest news
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Read moreEU recovery plans – a threat to nature
Press release | 2 June, 2022The European Commission has claimed that the Recovery and Resilience Facility (EUR 672.5 billion) will ensure a ‘green recovery’ throughout Europe. Yet not only is it failing to protect and restore nature, it will likely even increase harm to it, according to a new Bankwatch and EuroNatur report published today.
Read moreRelated publications
Supporting the just transition through dedicated technical assistance
Briefing | 28 June, 2024 | Download PDFThe just transition implementation phase is underway. However, additional support is needed to drive implementation and help projects respond to their particular challenges. This briefing provides recommendations for supporting the just transition process with technical assistance, capacity building, project preparation and project funding.
Strengthening the participation of civil society in monitoring committees through technical assistance
Briefing | 28 June, 2024 | Download PDFThis briefing sheds light on the role of monitoring committees within the EU and the specific procedures involving committees of representatives that enable Member States to take part in shaping implementing acts.
Joint civil society letter to the European Commission on the RED Recommendation
Letter | 25 June, 2024 | Download PDFIn this letter, 40 civil society organisations urge the European Commission to revise ill-advised plans to undermine nature protection rules for renewable energy projects under the Energy Community Treaty.