Vreoci community requests EBRD to suspend credit arrangement with Kolubara
March 13, 2012
The Vreoci community from the Kolubara mining basin requests from the EBRD to suspend the loan arrangements for the Kolubara lignite mine due to the constant and increasing violations of human and property rights by the Public Company Mining Basin “Kolubara” – Lazarevac.
EBRD support for Kolubara paving the “ash way” for development of Serbia
November 21, 2011
Linked to a slew of controversies, the Kolubara lignite mining project in Serbia is in line for support from European public banks. Corruption allegations, pollution at local level, irregularities in resettlement of local populations and not to forget a climate damaging approach to energy investments should be reason enough to find alternative options. An updated version of this briefing is available here (May 12, 2012).
Schweizer Geld für dubiose Kohlekraftwerke
October 8, 2011
Die Bedenken gegenüber der Stromproduktion aus Kohle wachsen. Doch die Schweiz beteiligt sich weiter finanziell an Kraftwerken – auch an solchen, die negative Schlagzeilen machen.
Belgrade Court Orders Investigation into Kolubara Case
October 6, 2011
Belgrade’s Special Court has ordered an investigation into the former director of Serbia’s strip mining complex and 16 others on suspicion that they incurred financial damages to the company worth over €10 million.
Serbia: cleaning up like the neighbours
October 4, 2011
The arrest of a former mining boss on the Macedonia-Greece border might seem far from the corridors of Brussels, but the desire for EU membership takes many forms.
The EBRD and coal. Dirty business unnoticed.
October 3, 2011
Despite numerous international calls for the discontinuation of public support for fossil fuels in the face of climate change, the EBRD continues to finance the dirtiest among them, coal. What is more, the bank plans to expand its activities in this field. CEE Bankwatch Network urges the EBRD to phase out any support for coal industry making it more competitive and disadvantaging sustainable energy.
Kolubara lignite mine, Serbia
August 1, 2011
ARCHIVED: Linked to a slew of controversies, the Kolubara lignite mine in Serbia will receive loans from European public banks. Corruption allegations, pollution at local level, irregularities in resettlement of local populations and not to forget a climate damaging approach to energy investments should be reason enough to find alternatives to lignite mining.
Letter to EBRD: Call to reject Kolubara project based on pressing human rights and climate concerns
July 25, 2011
Serbian and international civil society organisations call on the EBRD board of directors not to finance the Kolubara lignite mine project since it would constitute the indirect support of human rights violations committed by the project promoter and furthering coal dependency in the Serbian energy sector.
EBRD Board of Directors must face responsibility for long-term partner EPS’ wrongdoings
July 25, 2011
Belgrade – Today, over 70 protesters from the Vreoci community is gathering in front of the Belgrade EBRD offices to protest abusive practices by state-owned Elektroprivreda Srbija (EPS), in London, the bank’s Board of Directors is congratulating itself for another profitable deal with the energy company. The EBRD cannot continue to brush off responsibility for corruption acts and human rights abuses committed by their long-term business partner.
Information request regarding justification for approval of the Kolubara lignite mine project
July 20, 2011
The letter poses questions regarding the environmental and social appraisal for the Kolubara lignite mine project and the due diligence carried out by the EBRD before the project’s approval by the EBRD: How has the EBRD assessed the corporate behaviour of the Kolubara and EPS companies towards communities affected by the extension of mining operations? How has the EBRD defined the project’s influence in the Kolubara basin? Can EBRD staff provide studies or numbers justifying Serbia’s need for further growth of coal production?
