Six arrested in suspected corruption around EBRD-financed Zagreb wastewater PPP
March 29, 2016
The Zagreb wastewater plant public-private partnership (PPP), financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), has for years been highlighted by Bankwatch and its member group Zelena akcija/Friends of the Earth Croatia as a harmful project allowing the private sector enormous profits at the expense of the City of Zagreb and the public.
[Campaign update] Romanian government sued over unlawful expropriation of mining community
March 24, 2016
After decades of putting up with noise and dust, people in Runcurel, Romania are being told they are in the way of national interest. Together with the two civil society organisations, land owners are challenging the government’s decision and the coal company’s actions.
Guest post: Walking the line
March 8, 2016
Plans for the Southern Gas Corridor / Euro-Caspian Mega Pipeline will solidify the west’s dependence on fossil fuels and authoritarian regimes. A new web documentary shows why we should stop and think.
Expert analysis confirms Croatian Plomin C coal plant is economically unfeasible
March 3, 2016
Responding to the lack of official economic data for Croatia’s Plomin C coal project, a new analysis finds that the project is highly risky.
EFSI case study: Integrated clean energy project ‘third industrial revolution’ in Nord-Pas-de-Calais
February 12, 2016
The so-called European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI) should unlock additional investment of at least EUR 315 bn over a three year period (2015-2018). One of the projects benefiting from the loans is the intended “third industrial revolution” in Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France, which incorporates numerous smaller projects all working for the same goal: A zero carbon energy system for the entire region. The particular financing mix could potentially serve as a good example for an investment platform under EFSI.
Croatia’s EU funds spending plans: Land of unfulfilled clean energy potential
February 4, 2016
EU funds could do a whole lot more to help the transformation to an efficient sustainable energy system in Croatia if the country adopts an effective strategy to get there, argues our research co-ordinator, Pippa Gallop.
Turceni coal unit in Romania shut down after operating illegally
February 4, 2016
The shut down of a coal-fired power plant unit is another great success for the climate and for clean air in Romania. Many more units may have to follow according to legislation on pollution limits.
EU funds spending plans in Hungary: the dark side is in the details
February 2, 2016
Hungary allocates a relatively high amount of EU Funds to energy but an in-depth analysis shows a lack of direct, non-refundable support in renovation of residential buildings, significant finance for burning instead of preventing waste and potentially unsustainable use of biomass.
EU funds spending plans in Estonia: The long and rocky path away from shale oil
February 1, 2016
While Estonia plans to use a large part of its EU funds investments for infrastructure projects in the public sector, there is no real political will to reduce the use of fossil fuels.
European Fund for Strategic Investments: How to ensure sustainability, good governance and added-value
January 31, 2016
The European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) aims to leverage through the European Investment Bank (EIB) financing for a total of EUR 315 billion in new projects by 2018. The guarantee fund should target projects with a higher risk profile than normal EIB investments and should as well increase lending for investments which significantly contribute to achieving European common policy objectives (“European added-value”). This briefing outlines necessary improvements in the EFSI implementation to realise these aims.
