[Campaign update*] Georgian government and investors reject Ombudsman’s offer to mediate in controversy over Khudoni mega dam
February 6, 2014
The growing antagonism between promoters of the Khudoni hydropower plant project in Georgia and their local opponents from Kaishi is unlikely to ease when the investor and the Georgian Ministry of Energy boycott mediation by Georgia’s Ombudsman.
Bankwatch input to the consultation on the Energy Community Treaty
February 5, 2014
Letter to EBRD: Complaint filed with IFC on Danosha pig farms in Ukraine
February 5, 2014
Local communities in the Ivano-Frankvisk region in Ukraine have filed a complaint with the IFC’s complaint mechanism regarding the conduct of agribusiness corporation Danosha. This letter summarises the complaint’s content and asks the EBRD to follow the complaint process and derive lessons for its own support of industrial farming projects in Ukraine.
European Parliament criticises Serbia’s lack of progress on renewables
February 4, 2014
Facing criticism by the European Parliament of its progress on climate friendly energy sources, the Serbian government tells Bankwatch’s member group that the future of the country’s energy system is none of their business.
Letter to EBRD re potential funding of coal power projects in Egypt
January 29, 2014
Guest post: A Balkan lesson for coal investors
January 28, 2014
When Dr. Kim, President of the World Bank, and leaders of other international financial institutions ponder funding new coal power projects this year – like the one in Kosovo – there’s one word that should be seared into their memories: Sostanj.
Civil society letter: EBRD’s political mandate and value added in Egypt doubtful
January 27, 2014
With this letter 14 organisations from the MENA region and Europe bemoan the lack of clear purpose and effectiveness of the EBRD’s democratic principles that are being undermined by the bank’s moves towards making Egypt a full country of operations despite having significant concerns about the state’s conformity with these principles.
Leaked document: Doubling of electricity tariffs in Ukraine, condition for EBRD nuclear safety loan
January 27, 2014
The project through which the life time of old Ukrainian nuclear reactors is being prolonged with EBRD financing would not be economically feasible without a doubling of electricity tariffs, shows a document leaked to EurActiv last week.
EBRD set to backtrack on environmental and social safeguards
January 22, 2014
A draft released yesterday of the Environmental and Social Policy of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development shows that, instead of strengthening the policy to provide for better implementation, the bank opens several loopholes which ensure that approval of financing is achievable for problematic projects.
Bosnia and Herzegovina breaches Energy Community Treaty commitments, says official NGO complaint
January 16, 2014
Banja Luka – Bosnia and Herzegovina is failing on its Energy Community obligations by allowing Stanari lignite plant to pollute 2-3 times more than EU standards, shows an official complaint submitted today by NGOs Center for Environment from Banja Luka and ClientEarth to the Vienna-based Energy Community Treaty secretariat.