No Half Measures: Investment Needs in Energy Efficiency and Renewables in Central and Eastern Europe
September 13, 2012
Brussels — At least 172 billion euros need to be invested in energy efficiency and renewables in central and eastern Europe over the next seven years to kick start the decarbonisation of the region and create hundreds of thousands of much needed jobs, shows a study published today by CEE Bankwatch Network [1]. The next EU budget (2014-2020) could contribute to these needs if current short-sighted attempts by some member states to cut the overall size of the budget are prevented.
Letter to EBRD: Potential ENEA loan is connected to corruption allegations and a coal power plant
September 13, 2012
The letter describes the controversies connected to a potential EBRD loan to Polish energy company ENEA. (Find more information on our blog.)
EU budget 2014-2020: Implementing the climate commitment
September 10, 2012
To reach the EU agreed climate and energy targets by 2020, the European Commission states that at least 20% of the future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020 should support climate action. The Coalition for a Sustainable EU budget strongly supports this initiative and ask to increase it to 25% of the next MFF. In order to have a proper legal basis, this commitment should be included in the Negotiating Box and in the Inter-Institutional Agreement.
Another success against Czech incineration, government in blissful ignorance
August 29, 2012
The putting on hold (for now) of another waste incinerator project confirms a negative assessment of the Czech Republic’s performance in waste management. And still, the Czech government fails to grasp that the only properly sustainable way forward is investment in recycling and waste reduction.
The devil in the details: Europe’s low-carbon economy dream
August 17, 2012
The increasing popularity of a ‘low-carbon economy’ rhetoric calls for robust assessments of the carbon intensity of EU funded projects. Otherwise the potential that lies in the concept may get diluted by conflicting interests.
EU Budget for everyone – The people’s guide to the financial programming of the European Union
August 15, 2012
An illustrated and comprehensible introduction to the European Union’s budget, the decision making that leads to it, the impacts it has on our societies and the role that people can play in the process. On eight pages, this guide answers the basic and not so basic questions regarding the EU’s financial framework.
Croatia’s Ombla HPP project comes under scrutiny after NGO complaint – EBRD
August 1, 2012
ZAGREB (Croatia), August 1 (SeeNews) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development said on Wednesday certain aspects of Croatia’s Ombla hydro power plant project, which EBRD is set to co-fund, are under scrutiny following a complaint from a non-governmental organisation.
Spot the difference: Alstom in Indonesia and Slovenia
July 31, 2012
The company hired to build a new unit at the Sostanj lignite power plant is involved in strikingly similar corruption cases across continents.
EU budget 2014-2020: Implementing climate commitment and tracking climate spending
July 30, 2012
This comprehensive briefing offers detailed comments and suggestions on how climate action should and can be implemented and mainstreamed in the future spending period of the EU budget.
A threatened growth package
July 20, 2012
Shifting gears from the austerity years, EU leaders recently proposed injecting EUR 120 billion into the European economy.
