Debatte über Ökologisierung des EU-Budgets läuft an
May 11, 2012
Der Ministerrat für Allgemeine Angelegenheiten hat am 24. April erstmals die Vorschläge der EU-Kommission zum Mehrjährigen Finanzrahmen und zur Kohäsionspolitik diskutiert. In der Diskussion forderten mehrere Mitgliedstaaten Einschnitte in allen Bereichen aufgrund der aktuellen Wirtschaftslage.
The medium-sized EIB bazooka – Europe’s people and environment must benefit this time around
May 11, 2012
As it begins to dawn on Europe’s elite that fiscal austerity is not working after all, the European Investment Bank is once again the talk of the EU as decision-makers scramble to stimulate national economies that are hemhorraging jobs and living standards – and hope – across the continent.
EBRD probes Slovenia plant contract with Alstom
May 9, 2012
LJUBLJANA/PARIS, April 20 (Reuters) – Slovenia has taken a step toward providing government loan guarantees that would enable completion of a controversial 1.3 billion euro ($1.7 billion) power plant upgrade awarded four years ago to French engineering company Alstom.
Regional airports hope to take off in Poland
May 7, 2012
Smaller cities across Poland are busy pumping millions into new airports, claiming that if they build it, passengers and investors will come. However, others worry these air hubs are no more than white elephants that will struggle to get off the ground.
NGO comments on transport programming for EU funds in Bulgaria
April 28, 2012
These comments from the Bulgarian Civic Coalition for sustainable use of EU funds identifies problematic issues and discrepancies between transport policy documents at EU and Bulgarian level. It offers concrete suggestions to overcome those problems and to improve the decision making process of the Bulgaria Operational Programme for Transport for the period 2014-2020.
Project briefing: Gabrovo bypass and Shipka mountain tunnel, Bulgaria
April 28, 2012
If implemented as currently planned, the road bypass of the town of Gabrovo, and the tunnel under the Shipka mountain – a project supported by EU funding – will harm a Natura 2000 zone and national biodiversity protected area. This briefing paper gives details on the project and calls on the European Commission to remind Bulgarian authorities of the need to allow for public participation and conduct an environmental assessment that takes alternatives into consideration.
Member States set to block greening of next Cohesion Policy
April 24, 2012
Brussels — Meeting today in the General Affairs Council, leaders of EU Member States have significantly watered down last year’s Commission proposal on greening the next Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 (1). Much of the power over how to spend EU regional funds is set to remain with national governments with only weak demands placed on the capitals over how to spend EU funds towards building a low-carbon European economy.
Debate on greener EU budget gets underway
April 24, 2012
One of the MEPs leading debate on the environmental earmarking of EU funds in the next budget will outline her views in the parliament’s environment committee in early May. Rapporteur Jutta Haug issued three working documents last week.
Europe’s energy games are not child’s play
April 23, 2012
A new campaign video illustrates Europe’s self-absorbed approach to its energy policy outside Europe. (A blog entry Cross-posted from the Counter Balance blog.)
Poland’s anti-climate gamble continued
April 18, 2012
Poland’s application for free emission allowances is a disgrace to European climate goals. If granted, the country’s fossil fuel centred plans would mean a step back for Europe’s plans to decarbonise its energy sector.
