Przeciwnicy odkrywek przyjadą do Lubina
September 21, 2012
Polscy przeciwnicy budowy kopalń odkrywkowych węgla brunatnego zyskują nowych sojuszników. Poparcie otrzymali już od podobnych organizacji działających w Niemczech, przedstawiciele kolejnych krajów deklarują pomoc w walce z odkrywkami w Polsce i Europie
Complaint to EBRD on Kolubara lignite mine project
July 10, 2012
The communities in Vreoci request the EBRD to suspend the loan for the Kolubara lignite mine because of the project company’s failure to meet performance requirements regarding: – community health, safety and security – information disclosure and stakeholder engagement – land acquisition and resettlement – environmental and social appraisal management – pollution prevention and abatement
Lonely advocacy at Kolubara lignite mine
June 28, 2012
On a visit to the Kolubara mining complex in Serbia, Bankwatch staff was denied a meeting with the mining company, because of them caring for the environment.
Comments and recommendations on the EBRD Draft Mining Strategy
June 23, 2012
(Download a short version of these comments as pdf.) As it is now, the EBRD foresees growth in the mining sector and sees its involvement as crucial in this process. At the same time the Bank recognizes that mining can cause significant adverse environmental and social impacts, including permanent ones, and that no single mine can be sustainable since it exploits a finite local resource.
Hunger strike begins in protest of cemetery removal at EBRD coal mine in Serbia
May 30, 2012
Belgrade – An official from the southern Serbian town of Vreoci has begun a hunger strike on Monday to protest against what he considers the unlawful exhumation of a local cemetery to make way for coal extraction at the nearby Kolubara mine. Last year the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development approved a loan of 80 million euros to support the expansion of lignite mining at Kolubara.
EBRD energy lending report: conflicting investments end up contradicting climate science
May 17, 2012
London – Almost half of the 6.7 billion euros lent by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) between 2006-2011 goes to support for fossil fuels, according to a report issued today by CEE Bankwatch Network. Support for coal, oil and gas must be discontinued altogether, argues Bankwatch, if the bank’s commendable efforts on increasing financing for renewables and energy efficiency are to have a positive impact in the global fight against climate change.
Corruption cases put EBRD due diligence in the spotlight
May 14, 2012
In recent months bribery and money laundering allegations levelled at a former EBRD banker, as well as revelations that an EBRD staffer, now suspended, is one of the founders of the far-right, racist organisation the English Defence League have not made for great PR for the EBRD.
EBRD support for Kolubara locking in Serbia’s CO2 emissions
May 12, 2012
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.
Kolubara independent Union request to withold credit for Kolubara
April 10, 2012
In its letter, the independent union at the Kolubara mine points at extremely difficult and inhumane working conditions and their employer’s reckless attitude toward employees. The union calls on the EBRD to not extend a loan to the Kolubara lignite mine before workers’ rights are being respected.
Letter to EBRD: Kolubara loan connected to resettlement and impacts on communities
March 30, 2012
In its letter to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Bankwatch member group CEKOR discusses issues related to the Kolubara lignite mining project that have not yet been clarified. Among them is the fact that the EBRD’s loan is indeed connected to the resettlement of the Vreoci community, something which the EBRD has denied so far, and the so far vague claim that the project will contribute to emission reductions and environmental improvements.