Time for Europe to stop supporting Ukraine’s risky nuclear power sector
May 18, 2016
Three decades after Chernobyl, nuclear power remains a mainstay of Ukrainian energy supply. Despite persistent safety problems, the Ukrainian government has approved lifetime extensions for four of its 15 nuclear units since 2010, and two more could be greenlighted later this year. What is more, Ukraine’s nuclear sector survives in part thanks to European support. The EU needs to stop supporting Kiev’s risky nuclear energy programme.
No security for Europe from the Southern Gas Corridor
May 16, 2016
With an ownership structure heavily influenced by Azerbaijan, the European Commission’s flagship energy project may end up being a costly piece of infrastructure that does not increase Europe’s energy security but offers a tool for political leverage to the authoritarian Aliyev regime.
Трасса М-11 ведет во Францию
May 13, 2016
Противники строительства дороги Москва – Петербург надеются на французское правосудие в борьбе с офшорами Ротенберга Главному судье-расследователю города Нантер (Франция) направлен иск к французскому концерну Vinci, участвовавшему в строительстве трассы Москва – Петербург через Химкинский лес. Иск был подан совместно с юристами компании Sherpa и представителями некоммерческой организации Bankwatch.
Во Францию направлен иск о строительстве трассы через Химкинский лес
May 12, 2016
“Этот иск – это попытка найти инструменты, чтобы остановить и наказать компании, которые участвуют в коррупционном сговоре”, – заявила оппозиционер Евгения Чирикова Главному судье-расследователю города Нантер (Франция) направлен иск к французскому концерну Vinci, участвовавшему в строительстве трассы Москва – Петербург через Химкинский лес. Об этом Радио Свобода сообщила эколог и оппозиционер Евгения Чирикова. Иск был подан совместно с юристами компании Sherpa и представителями некоммерческой организации Bankwatch.
Development banks under pressure over support for Ukrainian agribusiness firm
May 12, 2016
Campaigners are today challenging the investment of public funds in a poultry farming giant, which they say is causing environmental damage to rural communities in Ukraine.
Химкинский лес: французского партнера Vinci проверят на коррупцию
May 12, 2016
Российские активисты-защитники Химкинского леса совместно с юристами группы Sherpa из Франции, а также представители некоммерческой организации CEE Bankwatch Network подали заявление во французские следственные органы на предмет проверки деятельности французского предприятия Vinci при строительстве платной автотрассы Москва-Санкт-Петербург, ведущей через Химкинский лес.
Ohrid – Peshtani expressway project, Macedonia
May 11, 2016
The Ohrid-Peshtani expressway project – financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development via a EUR 160 million loan for the National Roads Programme – involves the construction of a new section on the A3 express to the Albanian border. The new 12.5 kilometre section is planned to pass through the Galicica national park – a rare and important natural site with abundant biodiversity, that was listed as an emerald site (a future Natura 2000 site) and was designated in 2014 part of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
The problems with industrial chicken producer MHP’s expansion in Ukraine
May 11, 2016
MHP is at the centre of concern for local communities and civil society organisations in Ukraine, because of the way the company engages stakeholders, acquires land, and impacts the environment, water and the local economic development. Since 2010 the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved three loans for MHP, totalling USD 205 million. Whether or not the company is in compliance with Ukrainian law, local people think they are not adequately protected and do not have an equal voice against a large corporation if it decides to begin construction.
Georgia swept by protests against EBRD-backed hydropower
May 11, 2016
Protests have in recent weeks broken out across rural Georgia after construction resumed on several large hydropower projects financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Demonstrators have complained that the projects were repeatedly decided behind closed doors, and that poor assessments of the social and environmental consequences mean their livelihoods are under threat.
Update on resettlements at Kolubara mine and other EPS operations
May 11, 2016
In October 2015 the independent Project Complaint Mechanism (PCM) of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development found that the bank breached its environmental and social policy with regards to safeguarding the rights of communities impacted by mining operations of the Serbian state energy company EPS.