A mostly accommodating lion’s den – the second civil society meeting with the EIB Board of Directors
February 8, 2013
A meeting of civil society and the European Investment Bank’s Board of Directors saw a surprising degree of agreement between two often adverse groups.
Small shareholders protest price cap on lignite from Šoštanj’s mine
February 6, 2013
With the dubious economics of the Šoštanj 6 lignite power plant depending partly on keeping the price of lignite low, small shareholders who would have to forego their profits are not thrilled at the prospect.
Members of European Parliament call on EIB not to finance Slovene lignite power plant
January 31, 2013
In an unambiguous letter Members of the European Parliament have reminded the European Investment Bank of the economic and environmental risks that the Šoštanj lignite power plant project poses for Europe and Slovenia.
MEPs call on EIB not to disburse funds to Sostanj lignite power plant
January 30, 2013
This letter from Claude Turmes (Greens), Alojz Peterle (EPP) and Kathleen van Brempt (S&D) calls upon the European Investment Bank’s President Werner Hoyer to withhold the disbursement of EIB funds for the Šoštanj lignite power plant project in Slovenia due to ongoing corruption investigations and the project’s questionable economic viability.
Which is the world’s worst company?
January 17, 2013
Reputation isn’t always a good thing. In an age of ‘corporate social responsibility’, corporations definitely don’t want to be known as ‘the worst company of the year’.
Comments on the EBRD’s 2006 Energy Operations Policy and recommendations for the forthcoming Energy Strategy
January 15, 2013
As the first step in its review of its Energy Operations Policy, the EBRD asked for input on its current policy before moving on to write the new sectoral strategy. In our comments, Bankwatch highlighted the current policy’s lack of restrictions on climate-damaging projects including coal power plants and the need for the bank to adopt strict sustainability criteria in order to ensure that it supports only truly sustainable renewable energy.
First do no harm – no subsidies for Šoštanj
January 14, 2013
To help stop the planet warming to a disastrous extent Europe must increase the price of energy paid by energy consumers. A huge redirection of private and public investment is needed. And unless we are extremely successful in increasing the energy efficiency of our economy, we will almost certainly also need schemes to organise a socially acceptable reduction of average working time (see here).
EIB signs €440-million loan guarantee for controversial coal plant
January 14, 2013
The European Investment Bank has signed a €440-million loan guarantee with the Slovenian government for a crisis-plagued 600 megawatt lignite TEŠ 6 coal plant, but the deal could yet be sunk by concerns about the climate and corruption.
The worst company of the year – Vote for Alstom in the People’s Public Eye Awards 2013
January 8, 2013
Alstom, the constructor for the Sostanj lignite power plant might just be the worst company of the year. You can vote for Alstom in the Public Eye Awards until January 23.
ALSTOM nominated for “Prestigious” Public Eye Awards
January 7, 2013
The French energy and transport conglomerate Alstom is one of the seven finalists for the People’s Public Eye Awards 2013. The nomination is a result of information submitted by NGOs Focus Slovenia, SHERPA France and CEE Bankwatch Network, in which dubious business practices of the company across the world are highlighted — often linked to proven corruption or corruption allegations surrounding the awarding of contracts.
