Major gas projects in Romania enabled by regulatory acrobatics – report
October 17, 2019
At a time when public calls for tackling the causes of the climate crisis are growing, Romania’s gas industry has been expanding, courtesy of the Parliament and international financial institutions.
Decision on a fossil fuels ban at the EIB postponed once more
October 15, 2019
Today the European Investment Bank (EIB) decided to again, postpone the long overdue adoption of a new Energy Lending Policy. This delay is mostly due to tensions around the EIB’s proposal to phase out lending to fossil fuels. Several shareholders, including Germany, and the European Commission are pushing back on what would be a precedent in the fight against climate change.
Too soon to call the “Juncker Plan” a success – new report
October 1, 2019
The EU’s next major investment scheme, succeeding the so-called Juncker Plan, is likely to be central to the ‘European Green Deal’ touted by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. But a report released today by watchdog NGOs Counter Balance and CEE Bankwatch Network finds the Juncker Plan has so far shown weaknesses in its transparency, sustainability, geographical concentration and additionality, and calls for improvements for its post-2020 phase.
New report: hydropower subsidies wreak environmental havoc and line influential pockets in the Western Balkans
September 25, 2019
Disproportionate public subsidies for small hydropower in the Western Balkans have resulted in widespread environmental damage and have benefited wealthy business people close to or part of the region’s governments, with little benefit for electricity generation, finds a new study released today by CEE Bankwatch Network.
New report: Scenarios for a just transition in Jiu Valley, Romania
September 23, 2019
NGOs Bankwatch Romania and Greenpeace launched today a new report, “Just transition in Hunedoara – Economic diversification in a fair and sustainable manner”, outlining scenarios for the post-coal development of Romania’s best known coal region, the Jiu Valley, and highlighting that job growth and economic development without coal are very much possible in the region.
Reversal of subsidies for wind power in Bosnia and Herzegovina prompts legal action
September 4, 2019
The Republika Srpska entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina has breached competition legislation by halting its incentive scheme for wind farms in March this year, according to a complaint submitted today to the Energy Community Secretariat in Vienna by the Banja-Luka-based Center for Environment.
Setting precedent, EU bank to drop all fossil fuels funding beyond 2020
July 26, 2019
Prague, Brussels – The European Investment Bank, the house bank of the EU, is proposing to end financing for all fossil fuels beyond 2020, becoming the first multilateral financial institution to make such a commitment in line with the Paris Agreement.
Ahead of Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank meeting in Luxembourg, over 89 000 petition bank to drop Nenskra dam project in Georgia
July 12, 2019
Luxembourg, Prague, Tbilisi – Representatives from the “Stop Nenskra” campaign [1] showed up in Luxembourg at the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) annual meeting on July 12th and delivered a petition to the international development banks calling them on not to finance the Nenskra hydropower plant project [2] in Svaneti, Georgia.
Slovak government approves Just Transition plan for Upper Nitra
July 3, 2019
The Slovak government is today approving a plan for Upper Nitra’s transition away from coal, which was created based on inputs from the local community.
North Macedonia: Complaint challenges unfair subsidy advantages for hydropower
July 1, 2019
North Macedonia’s renewable energy incentives scheme unfairly advantages small hydropower plants over other energy sources, shows a complaint submitted to the Energy Community [1] today by environmental groups Eko-Svest and CEE Bankwatch Network.
