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 But transforming energy systems, especially in central and eastern Europe, requires substantial investment due to outdated infrastructure and reliance on fossil fuels.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
EU Just Transition Mechanism needs local ownership and concrete steps to decarbonisation
Press release | 10 January, 2020The 7.5 billion euros revealed today in a leak of the EU’s proposed Just Transition Mechanism can lead a sustainable and economically-fair move away from fossil fuels in Europe’s carbon-dependent regions, but only if local stakeholders are involved in planning the transformation and the funding is consistent with climate targets.
Read moreMEEMA Seeks Solutions for Transition to an Energy Sector Based on Clean Energy
Bankwatch in the media | 8 January, 2020At the initiative of Greenpeace and Bankwatch, a meeting took place at the headquarters of the Department for Energy with representatives of the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Business Environment (MEEMA). The objectives of the meeting were to facilit
Read morePolicy briefing: the just transition fund
Bankwatch in the media | 29 November, 2019A multi-billion just transition fund to support communities in Europe’s coal-heavy regions is a priority for Ursula von der Leyen’s new Commission, with legislation expected in the first two weeks of December.
Read moreRelated publications
RePowering the regions: How working groups can support local decarbonisation efforts
Briefing | 18 December, 2025 | Download PDFThis briefing analyses the work of four decarbonisation working groups established in just transition regions in Latvia, Slovakia, Estonia and Hungary.
Put nature at the centre of Europe’s budget 2028–2034
Joint letter | 16 December, 2025 | Download PDFThis joint letter addressed to Members of the European Council ahead of the European Council meeting on 18–19 December, urges to put nature back at the centre of Europe’s EU budget.
Bankwatch’s position on the EU’s 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework proposal
Policy position | 12 December, 2025 | Download PDFOur position paper analyses the European Commission’s proposal for the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, highlighting how it falls short of addressing Europe’s urgent investment needs.
