Less is more: Romanian energy trajectory shows potential for low carbon economic growth – report
July 6, 2016
Romania could well be on path to a sustainable, prosperous economy if decision makers acknowledge growing GDP in tandem with dropping energy demand, a report released today by Bankwatch Romania argues.
Croatia to drop controversial coal plant project, confirms minister
June 14, 2016
The Croatian Minister for Economy, Tomislav Panenić, yesterday confirmed that the 500 MW Plomin C coal plant project has been stopped.
The EU house bank is holding back Europe’s shift to sustainable energy
June 14, 2016
On the occasion of the EU Sustainable Energy Week, a new Bankwatch analysis shows that the European Investment Bank (EIB) has been effectively hindering Europe’s energy transition.
Response to statements regarding CEKOR in the Serbian media
June 9, 2016
CEKOR, as a non-governmental watchdog organisation, has since 1999 strived to promote sustainable development in Serbia and has a strong track record in supporting local communities harmed by development projects to advocate for their rights.
Bankwatch and Counter Balance statement on the mid-term review of the Investment Plan for Europe
June 1, 2016
Brussels, Prague – European Commission Vice President Jyrki Katainen presented today the mid-term result of the Investment Plan for Europe. The European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the financial arm of this investment strategy, was established by the European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) in 2015 with the aim of mobilising private investments to stimulate the European economy.
Western Balkan countries invest more than twice as much in coal as in wind power: new Bankwatch analysis
May 26, 2016
Western Balkan countries are planning investments in wind power, but these are being heavily outweighed by their investments in coal plants, according to a CEE Bankwatch Network analysis launched today. The region’s governments are actively planning 2800 MW of new coal plants but allowing only around 1166 MW of wind power plants to be built.
The Paris Agreement is a wake up call for the EU’s house bank to realign its investment strategy
May 23, 2016
The European Investment Bank (EIB) must adopt new directives and operating principles to play a meaningful role in realising the EU’s goal of a decarbonised and resource efficient economy, say CEE Bankwatch Network and Counter Balance ahead of the bank’s annual meeting during the EU finance ministers’ Council this Wednesday, May 25.
NGOs file a complaint against Vinci Russia for corruption of foreign public officials in Khimki Forest motorway case
May 10, 2016
A complaint filed last week is requesting an investigation into alleged corruption involving French company Vinci in the construction of a controversial motorway through Khimki Forest near Moscow. The complaint was filed to Nanterre’s chief investigating judge by civil society groups Sherpa and CEE Bankwatch Network, activists Evgenia Tchirikova and Mikhail Matveev, and with the support of Princip, defenders of the Khimki forest.
Parliament gets tough on control of EU Bank’s funds
April 28, 2016
In its annual resolution on the European Investment Bank adopted today in Brussels, Members of the European Parliament have criticised the bank’s support to projects under corruption investigations. They also called on the EIB to go further on fighting climate change, tax evasion and tax dodging. Counter Balance and CEE Bankwatch Network welcome the positions taken today by the Parliament in this resolution.
EU’s flagship climate instrument used to subsidise coal in Central and Eastern Europe
April 26, 2016
The EU’s carbon market rules allow Central and Eastern European Member States to invest up to €12 billion in coal powered energy production. As representatives of the EU Member States are due to discuss the EU ETS this Wednesday, the new publication “Fossil fuel subsidies from Europe’s carbon market” adds momentum to the need to overhaul this policy.
