Western Balkans: EUR 3.5 billion gas build-out poses economic, energy security risks and threatens green transition
March 30, 2023
Prague, Czech Republic – Plans for EUR 3.5 billion of new gas-fired power plants, pipelines, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in the Western Balkans would force countries to import far more gas than they have in the past, introducing economic and energy security risks into the region’s already challenging energy transition, finds new research from Global Energy Monitor and Bankwatch.
Activists call on EU to better protect nature from energy infrastructure in the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova
March 14, 2023
60 civil society organisations have sent a joint letter to the EU Commissioner for Environment, Virginijus Sinkevičius, calling on the EU to better protect nature during energy infrastructure development under the Energy Community Treaty (1).
The unexplained backtracking of the EBRD and Tbilisi City Hall: why did they keep the contract with a Russian company?
March 13, 2023
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing funding to Tbilisi City Hall to purchase metro cars for the Georgian capital’s metro system from a Russian company, Metrowagonmash. The company is part of Transmashholding, whose shareholders – Russian oligarchs Iskander Makhmudov and Andrey Bokarev – are closely linked with the Kremlin and its defence industry. Metrowagonmash’s sister company is also reportedly providing engines for Russian warships.
Environmental groups challenge backdoor dismantling of EU nature safeguards
March 9, 2023
CEE Bankwatch Network and ÖKOBÜRO have initiated legal action (1) to uphold EU environmental law and public consultation requirements when building renewable energy facilities. The groups argue that an emergency regulation adopted by the Council of the European Union in December 2022 breaches EU and international law.
Western Balkans: scientists and NGO representatives call for more rivers to be protected as part of the Emerald Network
February 13, 2023
Today, scientists and non-governmental organisations from 11 countries have published a list of 88 rivers they consider high priority for protection, urging Western Balkan countries that have signed the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) to expand the Emerald Network in the region.
Romania U-turns on decarbonisation to expand a lignite mine in Gorj and wipe out 106 hectares of forest
January 13, 2023
The Romanian government is again acting contrary to its EU commitments.
Can EU policy drive decarbonisation in the Western Balkans?
December 7, 2022
The challenges that the new Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will bring to the Western Balkan countries were the focus of a panel discussion hosted by MEP Petros Kokkalis (the LEFT) and co-organised by CEE Bankwatch and the Green Tank that took place on Tuesday December 6 at the European Parliament.
New report: proposed EU carbon tax to speed up energy transition in the Western Balkans
December 5, 2022
Western Balkan countries could collect at least EUR 2.8 billion annually to spend on a just and sustainable energy transition, if a domestic carbon pricing mechanism was in place, finds a new report by CEE Bankwatch Network released today, entitled “The Western Balkan power sector: between crisis and transition”.
Romanian decision-makers attempt misuse of REPowerEU funds for illegal hydropower plants
November 30, 2022
Romania’s Government plans to use funds allocated under the REPowerEU package to build nine hydropower projects in protected natural areas, Bankwatch Romania has warned the European Commission today.
Moving Western Balkan district heating systems away from fossil fuels
November 21, 2022
With winter fast approaching, the need for efficient, clean and affordable district heating in communities throughout the Western Balkans is pressing.
