EU Ombudsman launches investigation into financing of Europe’s largest fossil fuels project
December 17, 2020
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has dangerously downplayed the contribution of the controversial Southern Gas Corridor to the unfolding climate crisis, according to a complaint that prompted the European Ombudsman to open a formal inquiry.
18 NGOs call on the Coal Platform for the Western Balkans and Ukraine to commit to public participation and climate action
December 10, 2020
As the Coal Platform for the Western Balkans and Ukraine kicks off with an inaugural meeting on Dec. 10-11, 18 NGOs active in the Western Balkans and Ukraine call for effective rules to be put in place from the start in order to ensure an inclusive transition away from all fossil fuels.
Czech Coal Commission likely to approve 2038 as coal phaseout date in key vote tomorrow
December 3, 2020
Prague -The Czech Coal Commission is likely to approve a risky, late coal phaseout date for the country when it meets this Friday, December 4.
Shadowy spending of pandemic funds could dash EU hopes for a green recovery
November 30, 2020
Member States in central and eastern Europe have provided next to no information about how they intend to spend from the 671 billion euros Recovery and Resilience Facility, a new fund aimed at helping build back better economies in support of the European Green Deal, finds a report from CEE Bankwatch Network.
NEW REPORT: Is the EIB too faulty to become the ‘EU Development Bank’?
November 9, 2020
With the EU actively debating the reshaping of its development role in the context of the current global health and economic challenges and the ‘Finance in Common’ summit kicking off today, the European Investment Bank (EIB) is looking to take center stage as the new ‘EU Development Bank’.
Leaked document: Czechia plans to spend EU just transition money on gas and subsidising corporations
October 22, 2020
The Czech government is planning to use money from the Just Transition Fund (JTF) to finance the transition of coal units to gas and subsidise large energy companies owned by the state or Czech billionaires, according to a 40-page document authored by the Czech Ministry of Regional Development and the Ministry of Environment, which was just leaked to Czech media.
Complaint on Bosnia-Herzegovina dams on Neretva river submitted to the Bern Convention
October 22, 2020
NGOs submit a complaint to the Bern Convention against Bosnia and Herzegovina for permitting dam-building on the pristine upper Neretva. A related complaint was submitted to the Energy Community Secretariat in August.
In the Balkans, virtual run reveals real problem of air pollution from coal power plants
October 21, 2020
65 runners from 13 countries and three continents will race in Sunday’s inaugural Lung Run, a first-of-its-kind trail marathon that will measure air pollution from coal power plants in the Balkans and beyond.
Eastern Europe climate plans struggle to keep pace with EU’s green ambitions
October 15, 2020
Brussels – An in-depth assessment published yesterday [1] by the European Commission of the 27 EU states’ National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) highlights the growing gap between what eastern members’ plan and the ambitious targets set in the European Green Deal.
Worlds Rivers Day: Save European free-flowing rivers – end subsidies for small hydropower
September 27, 2020
WWF and Bankwatch are calling for governments to end feed-in tariffs that are driving the small hydropower plant explosion in the Balkans threatening to destroy Europe’s last free-flowing rivers.