Why coal is not the way forward – facts versus myths
November 14, 2016
Coal is the single biggest contributor to global climate change. But governments and investors planning new coal capacities have a range of flimsy arguments why coal would be the best or the only alternative. This briefing busts a number of myths surrounding coal, such as “coal is cheap”, “alleviates poverty” or “coal is clean”.
Deceptive promises of new jobs in the coal sector don’t help workers, communities or the climate
November 14, 2016
Now is the time for southeast Europe to start an inclusive and just transition away from lignite, argues new Bankwatch research.
Overblown job promises in southeast Europe’s coal sector show the need for a just transition – report
November 14, 2016
Promises for new jobs in south-east Europe’s coal sector are exaggerated, a new Bankwatch report reveals. Hardly any coal operations across the region are economically viable, and as a result many coal workers, especially in the mines, are set to lose their jobs, even if the plans for countless new power plants materialise. Governments, coal workers and their wider communities need to work together towards a just transition.
The great coal jobs fraud – unrealistic employment claims in southeast Europe
November 14, 2016
This report reveals how and why promises for new jobs in south-east Europe’s coal sector are exaggerated. Hardly any coal operations across the region are economically viable, and as a result many coal workers, especially in the mines, are set to lose their jobs, even if the plans for countless new power plants materialise. Governments, coal workers and their wider communities need to work together towards a just transition.
[Campaign update] Independent monitoring shows massive air pollution near Bosnian lignite plant
October 28, 2016
Air pollution in the town of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina was above legally allowed limits on twelve of 20 consecutive days as measurements made by Bankwatch and the Tuzla-based environmental group Center for Ecology and Energy show.
Lawsuits and complaints pile up against planned Bosnia and Herzegovina coal power plants
October 17, 2016
Sarajevo-based environmental watchdog Ekotim has submitted on Friday (October 14) an official complaint to the Energy Community dispute settlement mechanism (1) due to lax pollution limits for a new Chinese-backed 450 MW unit at the Tuzla coal power plant in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Guest post: China stokes global coal growth
September 27, 2016
China cuts coal at home but state owned companies and banks drive new coal expansion overseas, despite top level promises of green growth for developing countries, writes Beth Walker from China Dialogue.
Balkan energy projects with Chinese involvement – state of play
July 31, 2016
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Romania all plan new lignite power plants during the next few years. In contrast, most EU countries are giving up building new coal plants and seven EU states are already coal-free. Since the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank have virtually halted lending for new coal power plants, most of them are due to be financed by Chinese state banks – ExIm Bank and the China Development Bank.
Dans les Balkans, une vie sous le charbon
July 5, 2016
Malgré leur impact sur l’environnement, douze centrales sont en activité, réparties entre la Bosnie, la Serbie, le Monténégro, le Kosovo et la Macédoine. Dix-sept autres devraient être construites à l’horizon 2030.
In contrast to the EU, Western Balkans’ coal investments still heavily outweigh wind – but for how long?
May 27, 2016
Last year in the EU, 12.8 GW of wind power capacity was installed – more than any other electricity generation source. This means that wind can now generate 11.4% of the EU electricity consumption in a normal wind year, according to Wind Europe. At the same time Belgium and Scotland have shut down their last coal plants, signalling the golden days of coal are far behind them.
