Ukraine nuclear power plants safety upgrade programme
November 14, 2012
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Euroatom plan to support the nuclear power plant safety upgrade project in Ukraine. The EU presents the project as a timely initiative to improve nuclear safety in the region. A closer inspection however shows that it in fact can increase nuclear risks, in that the project includes a significant number of measures necessary to extend the lifetime of the reactors.
First major project in Egypt reveals transparency oversight by European public banks
November 13, 2012
A $3.7 billion PPP oil refinery expansion in Cairo is accompanied by contradictory project documents, making a mockery of claims by the public banks involved to be committed to “good governance” or democracy. Despite being presented as merely translations of one document, the Arabic and English “versions” are entirely different – with the Arabic markedly cursory and superficial.
Comments on the draft EBRD country strategy for Albania (2012)
November 9, 2012
The environmental center EDEN is convinced that the EBRD can play a significant role in supporting Albania’s sustainable development and the country’s integration into the European Union. Several examples of previously funded projects show that this is possible. However still the majority of funds go to big scale projects that often harm the environment and social cohesion. These comments pay special attention to EBRD financing in the energy sector.
That’s what they call sustainable. The EBRD’s 10 billion for sustainable energy
November 6, 2012
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development boasts of having invested 10 billion euros in sustainable energy since 2006. A closer look reveals that although the bank’s efforts deserve recognition, several investments make a mockery of ‘sustainability’.
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.
EU’s Balkan Energy Strategy Queried
October 23, 2012
Western Balkan countries face a future that relies too much on coal and nuclear power, the Green watchdog Bankwatch says .
How Ukraine can survive without nuclear – renewable energy potentials reviewed
October 22, 2012
A closer look at Ukraine’s energy strategy reveals fundamental flaws in the government’s plans to continue using old nuclear reactors and its rhetoric of nuclear being the only possible alternative.
EU’s energy strategy in the Balkans questioned by MEPs
October 18, 2012
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and local Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) worry that the European Commission is bypassing civil society and environmental rules in its Western Balkan strategy.
