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 But transforming energy systems, especially in central and eastern Europe, requires substantial investment due to outdated infrastructure and reliance on fossil fuels.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
Bridging the mobility gap: Tackling transport poverty in rural Latvia
Blog entry | 2 October, 2024On 18 September, I and my fellow colleagues from the Latvian-based environmental organisation Green Liberty teamed up with a researcher from Riga Technical University to visit Viļāni, a small town in eastern Latvia. We met with 20 local people to discuss issues with transport poverty.
Read moreWestern Balkans: NGOs launch proposals to revive EU’s flagging Green Agenda
Press release | 1 October, 2024A group of 18 civil society organisations has today submitted proposals (1) to overhaul the EU’s Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, in advance of an official update scheduled later this year. They aim to increase the initiative’s focus, transparency and results and ensure more effective use of EU funds for environmental protection.
Read moreCivil society groups urge EU leaders to secure funding for fair transition in regions
Bankwatch in the media | 18 September, 2024Civil groups are calling on EU leaders to prioritise EU funding to support regions most affected by the transition to climate neutrality in upcoming budget talks, according to a statement released today (September 18) by 42 civil society organisations.
Read moreRelated publications
Letter to the European Commission – EC should maintain a horizontal target for climate and environmental investments in the post-2027 MFF
Letter | 8 July, 2025 | Download PDFWe respectfully call on the Commission to maintain and strengthen a horizontal spending target for climate and the environment in the next EU budget.
EU biodiversity credits – barking up the wrong tree
Briefing | 7 July, 2025 | Download PDFThis briefing provides an overview of biodiversity credits, offsets and nature markets, EU plans and issues with biodiversity credits.
Climbing together: Is the Social Climate Fund working for those who need it most?
Report | 13 June, 2025 | Download PDFThis report evaluates the quality of stakeholder involvement and the design of national social climate plans in Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.
