Open letter to Serbian Minister for Finance and Economy concerning Kolubara resettlement
May 14, 2013
The open letter – signed by Srpski Centar Ekologije, Uneco Kolubara, and Bankwatch member group CEKOR – raises issues with resettlement and expropriations connected to the Kolubara lignite mine that are not adequately addressed.
Fair treatment is a long time coming at Serbia’s Kolubara lignite mine
May 13, 2013
People from the Kolubara mine basin in Serbia have many stories to tell about the hardships they face due to the lignite mining operations. Serbian Bankwatcher Nikola Perusic adds his account to two stories in the guardian and in Bankwatch Mail 56.
No end in sight for EBRD coal finance
May 10, 2013
Istanbul – With the 2013 EBRD annual meetings underway and in spite of repeated commitments to sustainability, the bank is set to continue financing coal projects that will dangerously aggravate climate change.
Kolubara B: a project of the previous century
May 10, 2013
The energy sector in Serbia is reminiscent of the industrial development strategy of the former socialist Yugoslavia, with thousands of megawatts of power plant capacities planned, and much of that production to be wasted, while people remain unable to afford their energy bills. The EBRD is set to fund this scenario with its support for a lignite-based, inefficient economy in Serbia. This briefing outlines arguments against financing the Kolubara B lignite power plant in Serbia.
Input for online questionnaire on Projects of Energy Community Interest
April 29, 2013
Our input expresses our main concern relating to the need to develop an energy sector in southeast and eastern Europe that is in line with EU environmental and climate policies and legislation, as well as one which addresses the increasing problem of energy poverty through sparing and efficient energy use. We underline the need for the PECIs projects to be in line with current and forthcoming EU legislation and policies on climate, environment, renewable energy and energy efficiency.
NGO letter regarding Projects of Energy Community Interest
April 29, 2013
The letter accompanied Bankwatch’s and other NGOs’ input to the public consultation on the proposed Projects of Energy Community Interest in the electricity, gas and oil sectors. With the letter, civil society groups jointly address several important matters about the process, scope and selection criteria. See also Bankwatch’s inputs to the consultation.
Serbia’s unabated quest for coal causes tremors among mining communities
April 25, 2013
Development bank continues to fund coal projects as Serbia proves another frontline in battle between energy and environment
The climate crisis and the role of Europe’s public banks
April 22, 2013
With each passing day, there is less chance that we will manage to keep the planet within the “safe” limit of two degrees Celsius global warming that would avoid disastrous climate change. The European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development can play a pivotal role in leveraging more private investment for sustainable energy. Both institutions are now reviewing their energy lending policies.
[Campaign update] New bills for green energy in Serbia
April 16, 2013
By investing in Serbian lignite, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development cements the rigid structure of the country’s electricity market. Investing in energy efficiency instead could help reduce energy bills and free up further renewables funding.
The Western Balkans: EBRD’s public money to finance coal plants that threaten EU’s long-term climate targets?
March 18, 2013
The Western Balkans countries are aspiring to become members of the European Union. At the same time, 6195 MW of new coal and lignite plants are planned to be built in the Western Balkans, which will still be operating by 2050 and threaten these countries’ ability to comply with EU long-term decarbonisation objectives. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is planning to support some of these power plants via its loans.
