Hydro banks
International banks are fuelling a hydropower tsunami that’s decimating pristine Balkan rivers. The good news is that over 1000 planned projects still lack financing – it is not too late to act.
Photo by Matic Oblak
International commercial and public banks have been bankrolling a wave of hydropower projects across southeast Europe that have damaged pristine rivers, including in protected areas. These financiers need to take their share of the responsibility and stop financing projects in sensitive areas.
2018 presents a crucial milestone to achieve this as both the EBRD and EIB will be updating their environmental and social policies this year.
More than a thousand planned hydropower plants have no financing yet, so there is still much that can be done to save the Balkans’ unique rivers.
Key facts:
- Multilateral development banks – the EBRD, EIB and World Bank Group – supported 82 hydropower plants across southeast Europe (37 in protected areas) with €727 million in investments.
- Bankwatch identified at least 158 plants financed by commercial banks (55 in protected areas). The biggest ones are Erste & Steiermaerkische and Unicredit Group.
- Some public financing remains hidden: the EIB refused to disclose information about 22 hydropower plants financed through commercial bank intermediaries.
- 1,119 planned or potential projects still lack financing.
[Press release] International banks fuelling a hydropower tsunami
Radolfzell, Vienna, Prague – Multilateral development banks have supported no fewer than 82 hydropower projects across southeast Europe, including in protected areas, according to a study by CEE Bankwatch Network released today.
[Blog post] Money flows, rivers dry
Erste, Sberbank and the EBRD have been fueling the destruction of 27 km of rivers in the region of Josanicka banja, on the borders of the Kopaonik National Park in Serbia. It is a stark warning how the future of the Balkans might look if uncontrolled investment in the hydropower sector continues.
[Study] Financing for hydropower in protected areas of southeast Europe
The study finds that the number of hydropower projects in the region that enjoy financial support from multilateral development banks and commercial banks, is even greater than previously known.
NEVER MISS AN UPDATE
[NEW STUDY] International banks fuelling a hydropower tsunami that’s decimating pristine Balkan rivers https://t.co/fMlZ9t1xE9
— Bankwatch (@ceebankwatch) March 16, 2018
Help us stop this: https://t.co/QqXX1s3cyR pic.twitter.com/KnVPZB2eKI
What is the @EIB hiding? The bank won’t say which #hydro projects receive funding from its commercial bank client https://t.co/fMlZ9t1xE9
— Bankwatch (@ceebankwatch) March 16, 2018
This needs to change: https://t.co/QqXX1s3cyR pic.twitter.com/xi44GnZzvu
Dear @ErsteGroup @UniCredit_PR please stop using my money to build #dams that destroy #nature and #wildlife https://t.co/T0A490Qk77 #SaveTheBlueHeartOfEurope #BalkanRivers pic.twitter.com/HrtYHki5uU
— Igor Vejnovic (@VejnovicIgor) April 11, 2018
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