REPowerEU: a closing window for energy democratisation
June 9, 2023
This briefing calls on policymakers to strengthen citizen participation in the energy transition through the ongoing revision of the recovery and resilience plans and drafting of the REPowerEU chapters.
Estonia’s REPowerEU chapter: civil society excluded from decision-making on energy transition investments
June 7, 2023
The European Commission has approved amendments to Estonia’s recovery and resilience plan and its newly added REPowerEU chapter. The country is determined to accelerate the energy transition, but more transparency is needed if it is to succeed.
Energy insecurity: EU funds for fossil gas in Poland and Romania contradict climate goals
June 6, 2023
This report reveals how much EU public money has been channelled toward the expansion of fossil gas infrastructure in Poland and Romania since 2014 as well as what plans these two countries have for using various EU funding sources to finance additional fossil gas projects in coming years.
Tackling energy poverty in EU Member States
June 2, 2023
This briefing provides an overview of selected energy poverty measures in five European countries (the Czech Republic, Italy, Latvia, Poland and Slovakia) to illustrate different understandings and approaches to tackling energy poverty across Europe.
Selection criteria for energy communities: a practical checklist
May 31, 2023
This briefing includes a set of practical recommendations for developing successful calls for proposals, including suitable selection criteria that can boost the growth of the community energy movement across central and eastern Europe.
Towards energy democracy: launch of new financing tracker for energy communities in the EU
May 19, 2023
The EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 offers a unique opportunity to use public finances to accelerate the energy transition. But to succeed, this transition must be inclusive, equitable and citizen-centred.
Transalpine oil pipeline expansion: REPowerEU funds must not swell the coffers of energy crisis profiteers
April 19, 2023
Using EU funds, the Czech government plans to provide EUR 114 million for the expansion of the Transalpine (TAL) oil pipeline, which links the Italian port of Trieste with refineries in Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic. The project raises concerns about its compliance with EU legislation as well as its environmental and economic sustainability.
Stara Zagora: caught between its brown coal past and a bright green future
March 30, 2023
In February and March 2023, our environmental organisation Za Zemiata (Friends of the Earth – Bulgaria) organised several meetings in Stara Zagora and Galabovo in south-central Bulgaria dedicated to just energy transition and the development opportunities it offers the region. Our main aim was to involve local stakeholders whose voices have thus far been ignored. Participants included representatives of civil society, members of small and medium-sized enterprises and academics from Trakia University in Stara Zagora. Unfortunately, despite efforts to foster dialogue between business, civil society, academia and the institutions, the absence of the municipality, which was invited to attend the meetings, was notable.
REPowerEU – a new opportunity to finance energy transformation
March 24, 2023
This factsheet shows how the REPowerEU strategy can provide a new opportunity for the EU to move away from fossil fuels and support clean, sustainable energy for its citizens.
Financing investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency in Gorj and Hunedoara
March 20, 2023
The publication elaborates on the challenges of the coal mine regions in the counties of Gorj and Hunedoara, Romania. Coal-based energy production is the most problematic one in regards to CO2 emissions. Furthermore, if we look at the social dimension
