New report: Western Balkan coal plants in severe breach of air pollution limits
December 10, 2019
Brussels – Western Balkan countries breach air pollution limits for coal plants agreed with the Energy Community by as much as six times for one toxic substance, according to new research published today by CEE Bankwatch Network.
New analysis: Belgrade incinerator public-private partnership a textbook case of corporate capture
December 4, 2019
The Belgrade solid waste public-private partnership (PPP) has been plagued by legal irregularities and circumvented binding decision-making processes, finds a new analysis published today by CEE Bankwatch Network, Counter Balance and Zero Waste Europe.
European banks must not support a “new Šoštanj 6” in Bosnia-Herzegovina, warn NGOs
December 2, 2019
Slovene bank NLB’s offer of a loan for the construction of the controversial Tuzla 7 coal power plant in Bosnia and Herzegovina poses serious risks to the bank and its shareholders due to a slew of legal and economic issues around the project, warned a group of non-governmental organisations in a letter to the bank today (1).
World’s largest multilateral bank ends fossil fuels financing
November 14, 2019
Brussels, Prague — Bankwatch, Counter Balance and a growing number of civil society groups have long been calling on the European Investment Bank (EIB), the EU’s house bank, to recognise the urgency of stemming the climate crisis and stop handing out public money to fossil fuel projects. Today, November 14, the bank’s Board of Directors adopted a new Energy Lending Policy that ends financing for most fossil fuels projects.
NGOs reaction to preparatory works kicking off at Tuzla 7 coal unit in Bosnia-Herzegovina: “This plant is not ready for construction”
October 31, 2019
Preparatory works for the construction of a new 450 MW coal unit Tuzla 7 are set to start on Friday, even as numerous controversies accompany the project, including an infringement case under the Energy Community Treaty.
EU bank drops Belgrade incinerator, citing impact on recycling: EBRD and other banks press on
October 28, 2019
Prague, Belgrade – The European Investment Bank (EIB) has refrained from financing the planned Vinča municipal waste incinerator in Belgrade, Serbia, according to a letter sent to the Ne Davimo Beograd initiative that campaigns against the project.
Expansion of largest coal mine in Romania stopped, following Bankwatch court case
October 23, 2019
Bucharest – A Bucharest court blocked the expansion of Rosia, the largest coal mine in Romania located in Gorj county, following a legal challenge to the mine’s environmental permit lodged by Bankwatch Romania.
Just Transition funding needs to support real transitions
October 17, 2019
According to draft conclusions of the European Council, EU leaders meeting today and tomorrow look forward to a proposal from the European Commission to establish a Just Transition Fund.
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.
