42 civil society organisations call on EU leaders to secure funding for the just transition in the next EU budget
September 18, 2024
As the new European Commission and Parliament begin their mandates, 42 civil society organisations from across Europe have issued a statement (1) calling on EU leaders to ensure the continuation of the Just Transition Fund in the next EU budget.
Keeping the promise: Why the Just Transition Fund must be maintained in the next EU budget
September 18, 2024
This joint statement lays out why the Just Transition Fund should be extended into the next EU budget, and offers recommendations to guide further improvements within the next programming period to deliver results that contribute to both EU cohesion and climate neutrality.
Reaction to the European Court of Auditors’ report on the green transition in the EU’s recovery fund
September 12, 2024
The European Court of Auditors’ report on implementation of EU’s recovery fund, published yesterday, casts a new shadow over the contribution of the fund to the green transition.
Mission letter: How climate and environmental crises should be prioritised as part of the European Union’s long-term budget for 2028-2034
September 9, 2024
This is a fictional mission letter issued by the President of the European Commission to a fictional ‘Commissioner for a Transformative Budget’ intended to illustrate how the climate and environmental crises should be prioritised as part of the European Union’s long-term budget for 2028–2034.
Financing the Renovation Wave: How to align EU funding with new building legislation
September 6, 2024
This briefing looks at how the new legislative framework for the building sector might affect the financing support needed.
Romania’s big bet on fossil gas proves a reckless gamble
September 5, 2024
Romania has hit the EU funds jackpot, securing significant amounts for fossil gas projects. However, implementation has been sluggish. More concerningly, these projects could delay Europe’s energy transition and deepen Romania’s dependence on fossil fuels.
Western Balkans: Chaotic, opaque selection process for EU infrastructure funding needs major improvements
August 29, 2024
The EU’s Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) has spent billions of euros on infrastructure, mainly in transport and energy. But our new analysis, examining how countries choose projects to nominate for funding, finds a chaotic situation vulnerable to politically-driven decision-making. Clearer rules, public participation and earlier information disclosure are urgently needed.
Even with hard work, a just transition needs long-term support
August 8, 2024
The small town of Turceni in southwest Romania has long been a lignite stronghold. But its enormous coal power plant is gradually being closed. A team from Bankwatch recently visited and spoke to the deputy mayor about the town’s efforts to ensure a just transition.
From coal to clean energy: A Romanian initiative for sustainable employment
August 5, 2024
The transition to a low-carbon economic model is a radical paradigm shift that requires transformation at all levels, from individual behaviour to entire economic sectors. But it’s also an unprecedented opportunity to reinvent our relationship with the economy, one that respects nature and planetary boundaries.
EU hails benefits of multi-billion-euro environmental action
August 2, 2024
Five major environmental NGOs – WWF, BirdLife, the European Environmental Bureau, Euronatur and CEE Bankwatch – proposed just such a fund earlier this week, saying it would need an annual budget of between €15bn and €25bn to implement the NRL and operate the Natura 2000 network effectively.
