Appeal: Stop the European Commission from supporting Ukraine in violating international law
July 1, 2013
This letter, signed by 38 organisations, urges the European Parliament and the Council of Europe and other European bodies to use their political and financial leverage to ensure that the European Commission does not go ahead with a loan for Ukraine’s nuclear reactors until Ukraine resolves the issues regarding its non-compliance with the UN Espoo Convention (more background in this press release.
EURATOM loan to Ukraine nuclear programme must not go ahead
June 20, 2013
In March 2013 the Implementation Committee under the UN Espoo Convention ruled that Ukraine’s expansion of the lifetime of its old nuclear reactors is in breach of the Convention (more details in our press release). Nevertheless the European Commission plans to decide on a EURATOM loan for the project.
Ukraine’s nuclear expansion plans under fire from UN body, EBRD ‘safety loan’ called into question again
May 10, 2013
In a landmark ruling laid out in a March 25 letter to the Ukrainian Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Implementation Commission of the United Nations Espoo Convention has deemed that Ukraine’s plans to expand the lifetime of its old nuclear reactors is in breach of the convention – the same convention that Ukraine ratified in 1999. Ukrainian campaigners believe that this should lead the EBRD to halt the disbursement of a EUR 300 million ‘nuclear safety’ loan agreed with Ukraine’s state nuclear operator just days prior to the issuing of the Espoo verdict.
Ukraine’s Nukes Are in Breach of UN Convention
April 22, 2013
Kiev – Ukraine’s expansion of the lifetime of its old nuclear reactors is in breach of the UN Espoo Convention, ruled the body monitoring the implementation of this international agreement, because Kiev went ahead with the prolongation of the use of its old reactors without assessing the impact this may have on neighbouring countries.
Letter to EBRD: Espoo Convention confirms Ukraine’s non-compliance with Ukraine’s international obligations regarding nuclear reactors’ lifetime-extensions
April 22, 2013
The Implementation Committee under the Espoo Convention concluded in March 2013 that the extension of the life-times of two nuclear reactor units at the Rivne NPP are a case of non-compliance with Ukraine’s international obligations. The two units are part of a, EBRD financed project and got their life-time extensions in 2010 without preparing an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and with no information provided to potentially affected neighbouring states.
Exposing the nuke-speak: responses to the EBRD’s justification for financing nuclear lifetime extensions
March 29, 2013
In an unprecedented effort to defend its support for Ukraine’s nuclear programme the EBRD publicly replies to some of our objections. Several colleagues sent us their (sometimes outraged) rebuttals, which we include here in our rejoinder to the bank’s arguments.
Nuclear Safety Plan Has Ukrainians Worried
March 27, 2013
A 300 million euro loan to improve nuclear safety in the Ukraine has been attacked by environmental groups who say it will instead be used to keep ageing reactors working well beyond their planned lifespans – increasing the risks of a nuclear accident – while doing nothing to address serious issues with the country’s energy intensity.
EBRD finances lifetime expansion of Ukrainian nukes, but gets defensive about it
March 13, 2013
Kiev – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development approved yesterday a 300 million euros loan for the so-called “Safety Upgrade Programme” of Ukraine. In reality, the beneficiary company, state-owned Energoatom, will use the money to prolong the lifetime of 12 old nuclear reactors.
New nuclear risks in Ukraine – decision expected tomorrow
March 11, 2013
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is expected to take a decision tomorrow on whether or not to provide a EUR 300 million loan for a nuclear power plant Safety Upgrade Programme in Ukraine. This article from our quarterly Bankwatch Mail sums up the issues at hand.
New nuclear risks in Ukraine – EBRD urged not to back lifetime extensions under the guise of ‘safety’
March 7, 2013
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is expected to take a decision this month on whether or not to provide a EUR 300 million loan for a nuclear power plant Safety Upgrade Programme (SUP) in Ukraine. Bankwatch and other environment groups are questioning the logic of the proposed SUP as it will result in some of Ukraine’s old nuclear units continuing to operate for another 20 years.