EU Ombudsman reprimands EIB for lack of transparency on funding’s environmental impacts
April 25, 2022
In an encouraging move for democracy and the planet, the EU watchdog has taken a stance against the European Investment Bank (EIB) for refusing to disclose information about the environmental impacts of projects it finances.
Activists call on EU to stop promoting fossil gas dependence in the Western Balkans
April 5, 2022
36 civil society organisations have today sent a joint letter to the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, calling on the EU to stop promoting the use of fossil gas in the Western Balkans.
Statement of solidarity with Ukraine
March 2, 2022
The Russian army’s invasion of Ukraine is a tragedy for both Ukraine and Russia, causing needless destruction, death, heartbreak and hardship. Bankwatch stands with our friends, colleagues and the communities that we work with, and demands action from international financial institutions.
Progress with EU recovery fund hampered by fossil fuels investments and threats to nature
February 3, 2022
Brussels – Genuine efforts by Member States to direct spending from the EUR 672 billion Recovery and Resilience Facility towards climate action are being undermined by investments that are likely to harm the environment and climate, finds a new report by CAN Europe and CEE Bankwatch Network.
EU bank’s new environmental and social policy not fit for lofty development ambitions
February 2, 2022
The European Investment Bank (EIB) – the financial arm of the EU – has approved a set of new environmental and social standards that, despite some last-minute changes, leave the door open to human rights abuses and biodiversity destruction, warn civil society groups.
Major blow to Bosnia hydropower project as Germany’s KfW drops financing plans
January 28, 2022
German development bank KfW has today confirmed that it is dropping plans to finance the controversial Janjići hydropower plant on the river Bosna in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
EU bank chief ‘ready to close gaps’ on rights abuses and environmental damage
January 27, 2022
At today’s annual press conference of the European Investment Bank, president Werner Hoyer committed his institution to be ‘second to none’ and take steps to correct a poor record of human rights violations and environmental damage caused by the world’s largest international lender.
NGOs hail Chinese banks’ exit from Bosnia’s controversial Ugljevik III coal plant project
January 18, 2022
Republika of Srpska and China National Electric Engineering Corporation urged to follow.
Western Balkan countries need a dedicated fund to ensure a just energy transition – new report
January 11, 2022
The earlier a country’s coal-phase out commitment, the higher its share of a Just Transition Fund for the Western Balkan countries, finds a model-based analysis by The Green Tank and CEE Bankwatch Network, published today.
EU bank freezes funding for major Budapest Airport expansion over sweeping violations of environmental norms
January 10, 2022
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has suspended the disbursement of a EUR 200 million loan intended to facilitate a dramatic increase in passenger turnover at Hungary’s main international airport following an investigation by the Bank’s Complaints Mechanism that found that no analysis had been done to assess the air pollution, noise pollution and greenhouse gas emissions that the development would generate, in breach of the Bank’s own policy as well as EU environmental law.
