Bankwatch statement on today’s EU Council decision about the ‘Energy Union’
March 19, 2015
Europe’s leaders have failed today to live up to their commitments and make the EU’s energy future more sustainable. The Commission’s ‘Energy Union’ strategy endorsed today by EU Heads of States prioritises new fossil fuel infrastructure at the expense of investments into energy savings and clean energy sources.
Electricity export ambitions may prove risky for Western Balkans, shows new study
March 19, 2015
The Western Balkans countries have strong electricity export ambitions that create the danger of stranded assets, finds a new report launched by CEE Bankwatch Network today. If governments take electricity expansion decisions without taking due account of developments in other countries, the region will have to compete with other nearby exporters and may find that its power plants become uneconomic.
New study sounds the alarm on safety in Ukrainian nuclear power plants operated beyond their design lifetime
March 17, 2015
Prague, Kiev – In December 2013, Ukraine’s State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate (SNRIU) has granted a 10 years lifetime extension license to unit 1 in the South Ukraine nuclear power plant. But a new independent study reveals critical vulnerabilities in the 32 year old nuclear unit that could have dangerous ramifications.
Victories piling up: 130 more hectares of forest saved from lignite mining in Romania
March 12, 2015
Bucharest – A Romanian court has accepted a petition filed by Bankwatch Romania and Greenpeace Romania, and cancelled the environmental permit which allowed cutting down 130 hectares of forests – equivalent to approximately 260 football pitches – to make way for the expansion of the Pinoasa lignite open pit.
EIB’s new transparency policy allows for more secrecy
March 11, 2015
Brussels – Yesterday the European Investment Bank (EIB) formally adopted a revised transparency policy including controversial exceptions to the disclosure of internal documents. This watered down transparency policy comes right before the bank will start implementing the € 315 billion Juncker plan and risks undermining the impact of EU recovery efforts.
South eastern European countries must take climate action or face hefty bills, says new report
March 10, 2015
Countries of the Energy Community risk wasting hundreds of millions of Euros on outdated energy infrastructure if they do not adopt policies to tackle climate change, finds a new report released today by CEE Bankwatch Network and partners in four countries across the region.
Southeastern Europe deserves a better energy future – and now is the time to ensure it happens
March 6, 2015
Brussels, Prague, Sarajevo – The revision process of the Energy Community Treaty is entering its final lap these days, offering a real opportunity to transform member countries’ energy landscape. More than one year since the start of the Treaty revision, the second round of public consultations is closing today.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: An Energy Union torn between clean energy and fossil fuels
February 24, 2015
Brussels – The vision of Energy Union to be outlined by the European Commission tomorrow proposes making Europe a world leader in renewables and energy efficiency, but at the same time envisages significant investments undermining that goal, such as gas import infrastructure, nuclear and dirty unconventional fossil fuels.
EBRD must not back Egyptian coal imports
February 24, 2015
Cairo — Ahead of tomorrow’s Board vote on the EBRD loan to CEMEX Egypt, a number of civil society organisations [*], inlcuding Egyptian groups, urge the bank to reject this project not only because it involves support for dirty coal-based production but also because it actually means promoting the plans of a repressive government despite opposition from civil society.
EIB Climate Action undermined by bank’s fossil fuel lending
February 11, 2015
Brussels — Ahead of a public consultation on the European Investment Bank’s Climate Action Programme tomorrow in Brussels, Bankwatch insists that, if the bank’s pro-climate efforts are to be effective, the EIB must give up its loans to fossil fuels and other climate-damaging sectors.
