Energy poverty in Latvia – from definition towards action
January 24, 2023
This summary briefing reviews the state of energy poverty in Latvia, focusing on how this term is defined in Latvian law and practice and what programmes are in place to assist those struggling to pay for the energy they use.
Is Samarkand ready to become a Green City?
December 26, 2022
This briefing reviews Samarkand’s existing urban development plans, the main environmental and social concerns of residents with a focus on public transport, and provides recommendations on including civil society in the GCAP planning.
Analysis of alternatives to coal-based district heating for the Bitola region in North Macedonia
December 21, 2022
The study examines the current heating situation in the Bitola region (covering the municipalities of Bitola, Mogila and Novaci), followed by an analysis of the techno-economic potential for using decentralised heating solutions that are also in line with the country’s environmental protection commitments.
Applying best practices from EU funds to the reconstruction of Ukraine
December 20, 2022
This briefing reviews lessons from EU funds such as cohesion policy funding and the Recovery and Resilience Facility for ensuring Ukraine’s reconstruction is financed in a way that ensures participation and green, sustainable outcomes.
The Modernisation Fund in central and eastern Europe
December 13, 2022
This briefing gives insights into the Modernisation Fund, a funding programme to support 10 lower-income EU Member States in their transition to climate neutrality by modernising their energy systems and improving energy efficiency.
Assessment of Latvia’s operational programme
December 7, 2022
This briefing offers an analysis of Latvia’s draft operational programme for 2021-2027 and recommendations regarding the potential for increasing the programme’s climate and environmental contributions. This publication was updated on 15 December 2022
The Western Balkan power sector: between crisis and transition
December 5, 2022
As energy transition in the Western Balkans slowly proceeds, energy crisis has hit the region on four fronts: electricity prices, technical problems at coal plants, lack of water for hydropower, and skyrocketing biomass prices. This crisis is both a se
Accelerating the deployment of sustainable solar
December 5, 2022
This joint statement by BirdLife International Europe and Central Asia, CEE Bankwatch Network, Climate Action Network Europe, the European Environmental Bureau, EuroNatur and SolarPower Europe lays out priorities for the current EU discussions to ensur
A false start for wind energy in Uzbekistan?
December 1, 2022
This report analyses the current environmental assessments for four wind projects planned to be built in Uzbekistan and adds new evidence from visits to the sites, meetings with the companies and local communities, and expert advise from environmental organisations.
Romanian decision-makers try to misuse REPowerEU funds for illegal hydropower plants
November 30, 2022
This briefing describes how Romania’s Parliament and Government are again pushing to legalise illegal hydropower projects in protected areas using new opportunities for funding under the REPowerEU chapter of the EU recovery fund. It shows how a new dra
