Environmental groups slate EU plans to weaken nature safeguards in the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia
June 25, 2024
The European Commission must revise ill-advised plans to undermine nature protection rules for renewable energy projects – including hydropower and biomass – under the Energy Community Treaty (1), 40 civil society organisations today underlined in a joint letter.
Hooked on gas: Report on the status of national energy and climate plans in central and eastern Europe
June 20, 2024
This publication highlights the need for gas phase-out pathways and identifies shortcomings in the current draft NECPs of eight central and eastern European Member States.
The Romanian village of Buteni: A climate-neutral rural community in the making
June 17, 2024
Photovoltaic panels on government buildings and homes, upgrades to the electricity system, a scheme for geothermal district heating, and investments in modern education. These aren’t the initiatives of a bustling capital city, but the ambitious plans of a small village in western Romania.
Can Ukraine’s EU-backed recovery plan deliver on its green promises?
June 3, 2024
The Ukrainian government recently unveiled its Ukraine Plan, a key component of the Ukraine Facility, the EU’s 2024–2027 financial support programme aimed at rebuilding the country. The plan outlines several positive steps towards achieving a sustainable recovery, including a commitment to low-carbon, circular, and nature-friendly reconstruction efforts. However, there is much room for improvement.
You(th) have a say in shaping the EU’s just transition
May 31, 2024
Picture a large, stuffy room within European Commission headquarters usually reserved for formal gatherings. On 19 April, at an event that officially concluded the EUTeens4Green initiative, the space was transformed by the infectious energy of over a hundred young leaders. These EUTeens4Green ambassadors shared their inspiring messages and passionate stories, calling on the EU to involve the young generation in climate action.
Joint civil society comments on the EBRD biodiversity standards (ESR 6)
May 29, 2024
Ahead of the EBRD’s Annual Meeting, 12 civil society organisations submitted their collective input on the revised draft of the EBRD’s Environmental and Social Policy, focusing on standards related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of living natural resources.
Learning from multiple crises to build resilient agri-food systems
May 29, 2024
While the EBRD investments helped increase agricultural production in its countries of operation, there is an urgent need to address the regional and global challenges. This can be done through sustainable investment into small and medium farms, phasing out large-scale livestock production, investing in circularity and decarbonisation
Suggestions for integrating considerations of land concentration impacts into the EBRD’s safeguards
May 29, 2024
Based on our experience with the EBRD’s investments in the agricultural sector, we have worked with the Land Matrix Initiative to formulate recommendations for the EBRD to integrate considerations of the impact of land concentration into its safeguards.
From drainage to restoration: A new chapter for Estonia’s wetlands
May 28, 2024
In Estonia, drained peatlands are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and thus exacerbate climate change. Our case study highlights the success of a project aimed at restoring the water regime of a mire ecosystem, leading to a remarkable growth in vegetation and the recovery of multiple species.
Powering up Central and Eastern Europe: How the EU should step up
May 27, 2024
A new European Commission should build on the progress made and strengthen its support for the energy transition in central and eastern Europe.
