Unsustainable energy future for EU neighbourhood region challenged
December 14, 2012
Europe’s neighbouring countries, from the Western Balkans to Ukraine, are intent on pursuing unsustainable energy futures that rely heavily on coal and nuclear. The draft energy strategy of the European Energy Community, recently open for public comments, is no big departure from the national plans, as Bankwatch found out when compiling comments to the draft – and, moreover, this reliance on coal and nuclear energy could end up receiving EU support and financing.
Новая политика деятельности ЕБРР в горнодобывающем секторе: оценка содержания и консультационный процесс
November 2, 2012
На прошлой неделе без особой огласки увидела свет долгожданная новая Политика деятельности ЕБРР в горнодобывающем секторе. Представители ЕБРР потратили более трех лет на подготовку этого документа, дающего нам надежду на то, что Банк усовершенствует свою деятельность в горнодобывающем секторе. К сожалению, наши надежды по большей части не оправдались.
‘Comments noted’, business as usual continues. The marginal public influence on the EBRD’s new mining policy
November 2, 2012
After long delays and more than 3 years of preparation the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has finally completed and published a policy for its operations in the mining sector. Both the consultation process and the final outcome must leave “the consulted stakeholders” disappointed.
The EBRD’s new Mining Operations Policy: A commentary on consultation process and content
November 2, 2012
The long awaited EBRD Mining Operations Policy was released last week without much noise. It has taken the EBRD more than 3 years to prepare a document which had raised hopes it could improve the bank’s activities in the mining sector. Most of these hopes, however, have not been fulfilled.
The Oil Road – How a done deal continues to unravel
October 8, 2012
The Oil Road by James Marriot and Mika Minio–Paluello is a remarkable recounting of their journey along the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline from Azerbaijan to the City of London. It is a narrative peppered with a wealth of cultural, social and economic history and kaleidoscopic insight from the Caspian region and beyond.
Greens call for active efforts by European Commission to ensure an improved EBRD mining strategy
July 12, 2012
The letter by the Green members of the European Parliament calls for active efforts of the EU representative at the European Bank for Reconstructoin and Development to ensure that the bank’s new mining strategy endorses EU principles and standards for resource efficiency, biodiversity protection, poverty eradication, inclusive growth, transparency and public participation in the mining projects the EBRD supports.
EBRD energy lending report: conflicting investments end up contradicting climate science
May 17, 2012
London – Almost half of the 6.7 billion euros lent by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) between 2006-2011 goes to support for fossil fuels, according to a report issued today by CEE Bankwatch Network. Support for coal, oil and gas must be discontinued altogether, argues Bankwatch, if the bank’s commendable efforts on increasing financing for renewables and energy efficiency are to have a positive impact in the global fight against climate change.
Comments on EBRD Draft Country Strategy for Armenia
May 16, 2012
Environmental standards in hydro power projects in Georgia
May 9, 2012
In recent years Georgia’s government has sought to position the country as a future regional renewable energy hub. Governmental plans include the construction of transmission lines and numerous hydropower plants (HPPs), in order to ensure electricity exports to Turkey and subsequently to gain access to the south-east European market by 2015-2017. The number and technical design of the planned HPPs do not comply with the principles of sustainable development, and they are bound to have serious negative impacts on the environment.
Corporate largesse meets scepticism at World Water Forum
March 21, 2012
Criticism and protests around the World Water Forum have highlighted the risk of hydropower projects being greenwashed and the dangers these installations can pose to people and nature in many countries.