Environmental groups slate EU plans to weaken nature safeguards in the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia
June 25, 2024
The European Commission must revise ill-advised plans to undermine nature protection rules for renewable energy projects – including hydropower and biomass – under the Energy Community Treaty (1), 40 civil society organisations today underlined in a joint letter.
Joint civil society letter to the European Commission on the RED Recommendation
June 25, 2024
In this letter, 40 civil society organisations urge the European Commission to revise ill-advised plans to undermine nature protection rules for renewable energy projects under the Energy Community Treaty.
Battling Rapids and Regulation: Neretva River’s Eco-Warrior Stands Tall
June 25, 2024
Lejla Kusturica, a Bosnian environmental activist, is concerned about the impact of a new hydro-power dam on the Neretva river’s ecosystem …
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Motorway-affected residents submit complaint to the UN
June 24, 2024
A group of people whose land and houses are threatened by the EU-funded planned Corridor Vc (1) motorway south of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina have submitted a complaint to the United Nations Human Rights Council (2).
Poor planning by the European Investment Bank puts at risk one of the largest wind energy projects in the Western Balkans
June 19, 2024
Following concerns from local people, the Aarhus Centre in Sarajevo and CEE Bankwatch Network have started legal actions on the lack of environmental impact assessment and appropriate assessment for the 132 MW Poklečani wind project in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Hasty decisions by the Federation of BiH authorities and European Investment Bank might end up delaying the project for years.
Open days on the Corridor Vc Prenj tunnel: a promising new public engagement tool?
June 14, 2024
Last week, JP Autoceste and the EBRD held three open days on the planned Prenj tunnel, part of the 330-kilometre Corridor Vc motorway in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Bankwatch went along to see what this new format offers and how it works in practice.
SARAJEVO TRAMWAY: Secret Contract with the Chinese
June 14, 2024
Almost a year after the completion of the project, the Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Transport is concealing the contents of the contract for …
Joint civil society comments on the EBRD biodiversity standards (ESR 6)
May 29, 2024
Ahead of the EBRD’s Annual Meeting, 12 civil society organisations submitted their collective input on the revised draft of the EBRD’s Environmental and Social Policy, focusing on standards related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of living natural resources.
Comments on the draft Environmental and Social Policy with a focus on human rights due diligence
May 27, 2024
The EBRD’s safeguards revisions show some progress, but the Bank needs to strengthen its own environmental and social due diligence, particularly in the area of human rights, to prevent human rights abuses through early risk identification and effective mitigation.
Amid a growing climate mess, a dash for Black Sea fossil gas
May 27, 2024
Plans to drill for fossil gas off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria are being advanced by a subsidiary of Austrian energy giant OMV, threatening to slow down Europe’s energy transition.
