Latvia and the Energy Union: biomass is a blind spot
August 13, 2015
To make sure Latvia’s energy path does not lead into a dead end for sustainability, the Energy Union should facilitate alternatives to unsustainable fuelwood.
[Campaign update] Ombla hydropower plant nature impact assessment rejected
August 10, 2015
The Croatian Ministry of Environment and Nature Protection has refused Hrvatska Elektroprovreda (HEP)’s nature impact assessment for the Ombla hydropower project near Dubrovnik.
Hungary and the Energy Union: The devil is in the details
August 4, 2015
Hungary needs to transform its energy sector. But can the Energy Union kickstart such change? The vision presented by the European Commission’s Vice President Maroš Šefčovič includes a few promising nuggets, but overall risks reinforcing the status quo.
Energy Union benefits are full of paradoxes in the land of Kafka
July 30, 2015
More clarity is needed regarding the Energy Union’s priorities for the Czech Republic.
To live or profit? Video from a protest action in the Czech Republic
July 24, 2015
On July 17, protestors in northern Czech Republic held an action outside the home of Jan Dienstl, a coal magnate who is lobbying heavily to have the country’s limits on mining removed. The participants came from the summer camp of Bankwatch’s member group Hnuti Duha that took place in Horní Jiřetí, a small town which would be set for demolition if the plans of the mining companies to breach ecological mining limits succeeded.
Slovakian dam project is a warning sign for Juncker’s investment drive
July 22, 2015
The European Parliament will soon be voting on a Scoreboard that will help assess candidate projects to the EUR 21 billion European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI). Stringent economic, social and environmental criteria are a paramount need for ensuring investments that contribute to a more sustainable Europe.
CSOs key points for the forthcoming EIB climate policy
July 16, 2015
In this letter to EIB, civil society organisations point out that the EIB’s forthcoming climate policy cannot only be limited to repackaging previous climate commitments or solely focusing on technical incremental changes. In the framework of the new EU 2030 climate and energy targets and the forthcoming international climate conference in Paris, ambitious new policy commitments are indispensable to make the EIB credible.
European Parliament approves Juncker Investment Plan, lacks guidance and oversight
June 25, 2015
Today the European Parliament approved the regulation establishing the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) at the heart of President Juncker’s EUR 315 billion investment plan. But critics say that the regulation lacks clear provisions for oversight of the fund and guidance for investments in green, sustainable and resource-efficient projects that are part of the fund’s mandate.
Follow-up letter: Stakeholders Workshop on public consultation results of 2nd PCI proposed lists
June 23, 2015
European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI): Smart, sustainable and inclusive growth – recommendations for the Delegated Act establishing a scoreboard of indicators
June 21, 2015
