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towards climate-friendly alternatives requires massive investments, especially in central and eastern Europe, where outdated infrastructure and a reliance on fossil fuels persists.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.
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
La “cortina di carbone” è la nuova cortina di ferro
Bankwatch in the media | 5 May, 2020Mentre i Paesi dell’Europa occidentale procedono verso la riduzione dell’uso del carbone, i paesi dell’ex Unione Sovietica si muovono nella direzione opposta. Source: La “cortina di carbone” è la nuova cortina di ferro
Read moreMoving beyond oil shale in Estonia
Blog entry | 15 April, 2020A new study commissioned by a coalition of NGOs including Bankwatch member Estonia Green Movement that analyzed the different European and Estonian funds in place or under development that could be useful for the transition, the existing plans Estonia has in place and policy recommendations from international best practises.
Read moreHow to start a just transition in Gorj, Romania
Blog entry | 14 April, 2020An assessment report by Bankwatch Romania in Gorj County, the largest carbon-intensive region in Romania, shows that coal mining and energy production from coal is already inefficient for the local economy.
Read moreRelated publications
Needs and priorities for biodiversity funding: A comparative analysis of Hungary and Poland
Briefing | 20 December, 2024 | Download PDFThis publication provides an overview of the priorities for national biodiversity needs in two countries – Hungary and Poland.
Harmful project documenting tool
Tool | 20 December, 2024 | Download PDFThis project documenting tool offers a practical, step-by-step approach to gathering information on problematic projects.
RePowering the regions: A comparative analysis of decarbonisation strategies in nine central and eastern European countries
Analysis | 18 December, 2024 | Download PDFThis comparative analysis of decarbonisation strategies in nine central and eastern European countries aims to enhance knowledge of decarbonisation pathways.
