Ailing Romanian Coal Region Sees New Hope in EU Green Deal
May 29, 2020
After decades of failed restructuring, Romania’s Jiu Valley is finally looking to a future beyond coal. Source : Ailing Romanian Coal Region Sees New Hope in EU Green Deal
The EBRD and EIB’s Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure Investments in the Western Balkans and Eastern Neighbourhood
May 26, 2020
From October to December 2019, Bankwatch conducted research on CSOs’ perceptions of the impact of EBRD and EIB investments in municipal infrastructure on local communities in the Western Balkans and Eastern Neighbourhood.
Slovene prosecutors file charges over coal plant corruption
May 25, 2020
The long-running saga of Slovenia’s overpriced Šoštanj 6 coal power plant took a dramatic turn last week when Slovene prosecutors filed charges including money laundering against 12 people and two companies. Meanwhile, in 2018, the Šoštanj power plant as a whole generated a net loss of EUR 58.5 million. Why are nearby Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina – both countries that are planning new coal plants – not learning any lessons?
Romanian coal mining supported by ‘illegal state aid’
May 15, 2020
Environmental groups filed a state aid complaint with the European Commission last week claiming that the Romanian government breached EU laws by financially supporting the expansion of coal mines owned by a state-owned power company. Source : Romanian
Estonian government shale oil goals contradict EU agreements
May 12, 2020
24 European civil society organizations have sent an inquiry to the European Commission pointing out that the Estonian government’s plan to expand its shale oil industry contradicts international climate and environmental agreements the government has signed with the European Union.
Wither the money: Czechia must make better use of EU funding to meet EU climate goals
April 22, 2020
On 29 April the European Commission will unveil an updated proposal for the EU’s next long-term budget for 2021-2027, which makes it a good time to evaluate to what extent the current budget is contributing to decarbonisation efforts across Member States.
Ukrainian activists taken to court by longstanding EBRD client after sounding the alarm on impacts of planned wood processing factory
April 7, 2020
Activists from the environmental NGO Ecoclub from Rivne, Ukraine are facing defamation charges after they raised warnings about a planned wood processing facility near the city. The group alerted the public to a host of potential negative environmental impacts the facility might have, which has started construction in the village of Horodok, in the Rivne region, in Ukraine’s northwest.
Румъния и „Зелената сделка“
March 2, 2020
Позиционирайки страната срещу „Зелената сделка“ на Европейския съюз (ЕС), румънските политици изглежда са на грешната страна и нямат връзка с икономическата реалност на енергийните пазари, пише за Euractiv Сузана Карп от неправителствената организация
Will Europe’s just transition pilot support locals in Slovakia?
February 20, 2020
A just transition for Slovakia’s Upper Nitra is already underway. But turning plans into projects which can actually bring about this transition will be no easy feat. One of the challenges ahead will be to ensure that there is both enough money invested in the region and a sufficient number of good quality projects–projects that don’t lock in carbon-intensive technologies–that support local people.
Romania’s NECP Fails to Provide Coal Phase-Out Date
February 19, 2020
Romania’s new national energy and climate plan (NECP) is sending incoherent signals regarding the country’s commitment for a just transition away from fossil fuels, states an analysis from the CEE Bankwatch Network. Source : Romania’s NECP Fails to Pro