Latest EU hydrogen push prolongs gas industry hold over Europe’s energy transition – new report
December 10, 2025
The Projects of Common and Mutual Interest (PCI/PMI) list unveiled by the European Commission last week will do little to advance Europe’s energy transition and much more to perpetuate its fossil fuel import dependence, shows a report published today by CEE Bankwatch Network and Food and Water Action Europe. It will also burn much of the limited public funding that should be spent on electrification, according to the analysis.
Another needless threat to the ecosystems we all depend on: The Commission’s panicky, chaotic deregulation drive has to stop
December 9, 2025
Among the slew of European Commission initiatives set to be launched on Wednesday 10 December is the so-called Grids Package, leaked to several media outlets last week.
EU Reform and Growth Facility not yet speeding up energy transition in Western Balkans – new report
December 5, 2025
Two years after it was announced, the European Union’s Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans is struggling to deliver on its goals, according to a new analysis by CEE Bankwatch Network (1). The report reveals that a significant proportion of planned energy-related reforms are delayed and raises serious concerns about the suitability of performance-based models for the bulk of future EU funding in the region.
European Commission fuels hydrogen fantasies – but MEPs can still halt the next array of fossil fuel follies
December 1, 2025
A bill tabled today by the European Commission foresees a massive build-up of hydrogen projects, despite growing expert consensus that hydrogen can only thwart Europe’s decarbonisation efforts.
CBAM: Western Balkan governments must act now to avoid ‘perfect storm’ – new report
October 30, 2025
The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) takes full effect from 1 January 2026. But Western Balkan governments’ lack of preparation increases the risk of a calamitous and unjust energy transition, finds a new report published today by CEE Bankwatch Network (1).
Dead end ahead for Western Balkan gas plans, shows new analysis
September 25, 2025
Western Balkan governments’ gas build-out plans remain as high as two years ago despite increasing risks of failure or stranded assets, finds a new briefing published today by CEE Bankwatch Network and Beyond Fossil Fuels (1).
Citizens urge Montenegrin government to halt gas deal with Japanese energy giant
September 9, 2025
A group of 40 non-governmental organisations, citizens, experts and environmental activists today sent an open letter to the Government of Montenegro and the Minister of Energy and Mining, Admir Šahmanović, calling for the suspension of the signing of a memorandum of understanding with JERA, Japan’s largest power generation company. The agreement concerns the proposed development of fossil gas projects in Montenegro, including a gas-fired power plant and a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal with associated infrastructure. The agreement is set to be signed during the 2025 Gastech conference in Milan, taking place between 9 and 12 September.
Bishkek residents seek mediation to restore trolleybus service
August 19, 2025
Residents of Bishkek have asked the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)’s Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM) to facilitate dialogue with urban authorities over concerns about the city’s trolleybus services.
Western Balkans: Majority of EU energy crisis package funds untraceable, shows new report
July 23, 2025
Only EUR 163 million of the European Commission’s EUR 1 billion emergency funding can be shown to have contributed to tackling the root causes of the energy crisis and advancing the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, according to a new report by CEE Bankwatch Network, published today (1). More than two years after the lion’s share of the funds were disbursed, most spending and results still cannot be traced using publicly available sources.
A budget aware of the challenges, yet falling short on solutions for a resilient future
July 16, 2025
Despite bold rhetoric on climate and environmental leadership, the European Commission’s proposal for the next long-term EU budget, published today, falls short of aligning future EU spending with the needs of a climate-neutral EU. It fails to provide a clear, enforceable vision for beneficiaries of EU funds to tackle today’s multiple challenges by directing public funds towards building a more resilient, just, and environmentally sustainable economy.
