Halfway there but facing a mid-life crisis: why the EU’s recovery fund is failing to deliver
February 21, 2024
The European Commission’s mid-term evaluation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility, published today, delivers an overly positive assessment. According to CEE Bankwatch Network, the EU’s landmark fund, which was expected to bring about a ‘green recovery’, still faces numerous implementation challenges.
Recommendations on how to determine the contribution of EU funds for biodiversity
January 31, 2024
This briefing aims to demonstrate the need to ensure a greater and more accurate amount of funding is channelled to the right areas, as well as to explore potential alternatives ahead of the next EU budget.
The Tisza–Túr reservoir: restoring habitats to help farmers adapt to floods and drought
December 20, 2023
This case study demonstrates the Tisza–Túr flood reservoir which uses controlled flooding and draining methods, and serves the dual purpose of preventing both floods and drought.
Lessons from the ground: application of the ‘do no significant harm’ principle under the Recovery and Resilience Facility
December 20, 2023
This briefing outlines the key barriers preventing a more successful application of the ‘do no significant harm’ principle, based on ongoing experience under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, and provides recommendations for improvement.
A truly nature friendly investment – support for the development of Blooming meadows
December 18, 2023
This case study demonstrates a new pilot programme which is designed specifically to help these grasslands and the landowners managing them.
Protecting the biodiversity of Estonia’s agricultural landscapes
December 6, 2023
The case study demonstrates some of the many ways EU funds can and should be used to support nature restoration and conservation projects. These are instrumental to address the biodiversity crisis across sectors.
New elections in Poland offer one last chance to solve the Oder River catastrophe
December 1, 2023
The Oder River, which forms the border between Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic, faced a severe environmental disaster in 2022. More than one year later, the river is in peril again. The decisions taken by the previous government have so far only exacerbated the situation. Now, a new government offers one last opportunity to show environmental stewardship and reverse the catastrophe.
Aqueduct in Italy breaches EU laws and endangers biodiversity
November 24, 2023
In times of pressing climate and biodiversity crisis, the Lazio region and the Italian government are supporting a controversial project to double the Peschiera–Le Capore aqueduct, breaching several EU Directives, and not taking into account people who live in the area and their needs. Moreover, the project, partially supported by EU funds, could potentially endanger six Natura 2000 sites and already exploited local water resources.
Manifesto on the future of EU public finances: our priorities for delivering a just and ecological transformation
November 24, 2023
This manifesto presents priorities for delivering a just and ecological transformation, prepared by the coalition Citizens’ Observatory for Green Deal Financing.
A Latvian forest the size of 237 football pitches cut down for an industrial park
November 17, 2023
A pristine biodiverse forest in eastern Latvia is being cleared to make way for an industrial park. Even though the project has yet to be approved, half the forest has already been logged to make way for the development. Not only that, the public consultation and social and environmental assessment have been inadequate. The project promoters now expect getting the green light.
