Serbia: EBRD Admitted Mistakes with EPS
December 15, 2015
CEKOR had a meeting with the EBRD Director for Serbia, Daniel Berg, at which the Report on EBRD Complaint Mechanism was considered. In accordance with the undertaken contractual obligations, the EPS should enhance its procedures not only for the case of Vreoci, to which the complaint referred, but also at all locations where it performs business operations.
Improvements needed in transparency and environmental soundness of EBRD-financed hydropower facilities
December 15, 2015
In light of the worrying findings of a study on hydropower projects in southeast Europe – most notably the high number of projects in protected areas – this letter asks the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to better implement its environmental and social policy and hydropower sustainability criteria, establish no-go zones in protected areas and rivers of outstanding quality, and disclose project information about projects with a clear environmental impact which are financed through financial intermediaries.
Infographics: Pristine Balkan rivers threatened by European “green energy” funding for hydropower
December 14, 2015
A wave of hydropower development fuelled by European public funding and EU companies is endangering pristine river environments in the Balkans.
Study: Development Banks Financing HPP Projects at Protected Sites in Balkans
December 14, 2015
A wave of hydropower development fuelled by European public funding and EU companies is endangering pristine river environments in the Balkans, finds a new study released last Friday by the Central and Eastern European (CEE) Bankwatch Network.
Romanian court rejects environmental permit, halting destruction of 159 hectares of forests and putting breaks on coal mining expansion
December 11, 2015
Bucharest – A Bucharest court yesterday annulled the environment permit for the felling of another 159 hectares of forest in Gorj country, effectively preventing the expansion of the Roșia lignite mine.
New Bankwatch study: European “green energy” funding for hydropower threatens pristine Balkan rivers
December 11, 2015
Radolfzell, Vienna, Prague – A wave of hydropower development fuelled by European public funding and EU companies is endangering pristine river environments in the Balkans, finds a new study by CEE Bankwatch Network released today.
Major banks put up nearly €1bn for controversial Balkan dams, says report
December 11, 2015
Multilateral development banks are funding a roll out of hydropower projects in national parks, world heritage sites and conservation zones across the Balkans International banks have ploughed hundreds of millions of euros into a wave of hydropower projects sweeping across many pristine national parks and environmentally-protected regions in the Balkans, according to a new report.
Financing for hydropower in protected areas in southeast Europe
December 11, 2015
Southeast Europe is experiencing a wave of hydropower projects. In a region with a deadly combination of Europe’s last wild rivers, rampant corruption and inadequate nature protection, the potential for damage is immense. In order to address this issue, we need to know who is making it happen. This research aims – to the extent possible given the secrecy around the financial sector – to find out who are the main actors involved in financing hydropower projects in the region, both overall and inside of protected areas. Update January 2017 The EBRD has said that financing has been cancelled for four small hydropower plants in Macedonia: Zrnovska reka 1, Zrnovska reka 2, Estericka reka, Kadina reka. In addition, financing has been cancelled for the 68 MW Boskov Most plant in the Mavrovo National Park, also in Macedonia. Regarding the Ternove SHPP in Albania, the EBRD has said that it had conducted an on-site investigation into the concerns received in a letter from an affected citizen. The bank found nothing to substantiate the allegations. Bankwatch will continue to monitor the issue.
“EBRD priznao greške sa EPS-om”
December 9, 2015
Beograd — EBRD je priznao greške načinjene sa EPS-om u okviru projekata izvođenih u Vreocima i od preduzeća se očekuje da unapredi svoje procedure, saopštava CEKOR. Kako je navedeno na sastanku predstavnika CEKOR-a i direktora EBRD za Srbiju Danijela Berga, organizacija očekuje da EPS ubrza raseljavanje Vreoca, kao i da se angažuje i na društveno odgovornom raseljavanju domaćinstava obuhvaćenih zaštitnim zonama rudarenja u selima Junkovac, Radljevo, Baroševac, Zeoke u kolubarskom i sela Drmno u kostolačkom regionu.
Macedonia urged to suspend controversial hydropower project
December 4, 2015
Strasbourg, Skopje, Prague – In the latest blow to planned hydropower dam in Macedonia’s Mavrovo National Park, the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention, the European wildlife treaty, added today its voice to growing calls to reconsider this reckless project. The spotlight is now on the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the project’s main financier.