Hydropower development in Georgia
March 25, 2013
Georgia plans to build a huge number of dams. Yet with 85 percent of electricity needs satisfied and exports not being taxed, these plans will rather benefit private investors than offering sustainable development for Georgia.
Plomin coal power plant, Croatia
December 18, 2012
CANCELLED: after five years of campaigning, plans for Plomin C were dropped in 2016. Croatian plans to more than double the capacity of the Plomin coal power plant would have resulted in increased carbon-emissions for several decades. The project’s profitability was questionable and the plans were facing local opposition and conflicting regional legislation.
Vlora Industrial and Energy Park, Albania
September 3, 2012
With limited information available on the project and little opportunities to influence the developments, the local community has perceived the Vlora energy and industry park as a megalomaniac project which poses threat to a local economy dependant on tourism and harms the fragile marine and wetlands ecosystems.
Ignalina NPP decommissioning, Lithuania
August 30, 2012
The decommissioning of the old Ignalina nuclear power plant units risks raising economic and social problems for the region where it is located.
ARCHIVED: Zombie reactors in Ukraine
March 7, 2012
While the European Union is trying to help Ukraine’s political transition, Europe’s financial support is cementing the country’s dependence on an outdated and highly unsafe nuclear sector. To avoid further instability and political and environmental risks, European institutions need to offer better oversight and funding for alternative energy sources.
Ombla hydropower plant, Croatia
February 29, 2012
An underground hydropower plant was planned in a natural habitat of global significance. The project’s assessments were plagued by oddities and could not be considered complete. Despite all of this, the EBRD initially approved a EUR 123 million loan. In May 2013, under increasing pressure from civil society groups, the EBRD eventually pulled out of the project.
Relocation of the main train station in Brno, Czech Republic
February 8, 2012
Against overwhelming public opposition, Brno hopes to relocate its main train station with the help of EU funding. Reconstructing the current station would be a much more effective use of public money and wouldn’t complicate the lives of tens of thousands of people.
ARCHIVED: Mining boom in Mongolia
January 26, 2012
With huge amounts of unexploited natural resources (gold, copper, coal and more) the Mongolian economy is estimated to grow massively in the years to come. But will it also benefit the people in Mongolia? Our work shows how mining operations lead to pollution and displacement for local herders and exacerbate water scarcity issues.
Rosia Montana gold mine, Romania
October 3, 2011
In 1999, Gabriel Resources, the Canadian mining company, was granted the right to mine gold in the Rosia Montana area in Romania. Rosia Montana was to become Europe’s largest open-cast gold mining project. As Gabriel, the Barbados-registered company with no mining experience whatsoever, is seeking to keep its costs low, they plan to use the controversial cyanide leaching method.
Coal-fired power plants in Poland
September 13, 2011
Faced with an outdated energy system, the Polish government is determined to invest in climate damaging coal rather than focusing on renewable energy.
