EBRD joins other financial institutions in restricting coal lending
December 10, 2013
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) approved today during a vote of its Board of Directors a new Energy Strategy. The document is meant to give guidance on how to strategically use the bank’s resources over the next years to promote energy security and affordability and avoid dangerous climate change.
EBRD soft on coal sector corruption, new analysis shows
December 9, 2013
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has been approving financing for coal projects over which corruption allegations loom, and in some cases even while official corruption investigations were underway, according to an analysis published by CEE Bankwatch Network today.
Coal and corruption – the case of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
December 9, 2013
The EBRD is about to approve a new energy strategy, yet it is unclear to what extent it will follow other public lenders in halting coal financing. In this paper we step away from the discussions on climate issues to take a look at another reason why the EBRD should be wary of investing in coal projects: corruption.
Guest post: End to UK coal investments overseas welcome – but it must include Kosovo
November 22, 2013
United in spirit with yesterday’s blog post on the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s coal lending, Visar Azemi from the Kosovo Civil Society Consortium for Sustainable Development calls on the UK government to not support the Kosova e Re lignite power plant via the World Bank and make its promise to end overseas coal financing a reality.
Dirty power plants in Western Balkans and Ukraine set to become EU priority
October 22, 2013
Belgrade – Several environmentally damaging coal and hydropower projects across the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova are likely to be included this Thursday on a priority list of projects of the European Commission-backed Energy Community, meaning they will be fast-tracked for financing over the next years.
Western Balkans and Ukraine: EC-backed Energy Community to prioritise coal plants that threaten EU long-term climate targets
October 22, 2013
The Western Balkans countries are aspiring to become members of the European Union. On 24 October the Ministerial Council of the EC-backed Energy Community will approve a list of priority energy infrastructure projects resulting from the Regional Energy Strategy known as Projects of Energy Community Interest (PECIs) for the Western Balkans, Moldova and Ukraine. These projects would be prioritised for fast-track approval and public financing.
Letter to Commissioner Potocnik: NGO concerns over the Transitional National Plans pursuant to the Industrial Emissions Directive 2010/75/EU
October 10, 2013
This letter to Commissioner Janez Potocnik outlines serious concerns regarding the optional “Transitional National Plan” (TNP) derogation of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED). The TNPs provide an opportunity for the coal industry and governments to pollute more compared to the general pollution limits set by the IED. In some cases using this derogation makes retrofitting plants economically viable, because thanks to the derogation they are given more time to meet the IED pollution limits.
Another company withdraws from controversial Plomin C coal plant in Croatia
October 7, 2013
Zagreb — Korean company KOSEP has confirmed that it no longer intends to participate in bidding for the controversial 500 MW Plomin C coal power plant in Croatia. KOSEP is the second of the four strategic bidders shortlisted in September 2012 to pull out of the project, after Polish company POL-MOT withdrew in the spring of this year.
Greens rejoice as Serbia coal project halted, but energy crisis looms
September 23, 2013
In Belgrade city centre, protestors stand behind a dramatic black banner depicting the outlines of two fallen bodies: “2,100 dead in Serbia. EBRD coal kills,” reads the bold yellow and red text.
Letter to EBRD directors: Ensure proper investigation into new corruption arrests at Kolubara mine
September 20, 2013
On Monday, September 9, 2013, Serbian police arrested the former director and the former financial director of the Kolubara Mining Basin, as well as a businessman and several other individuals on the basis of suspected fraud in land expropriation proceedings around the Kolubara mine. This letter asks the EBRD board of directors to ensure that the EBRD thoroughly investigates the issues around these latest arrests.
