Comments on EBRD policy and forthcoming energy strategy (Urgewalt/Klimaallianz, DE)
January 16, 2013
In their comments, the German NGO urgewald and the environmental coalition Klimaallianz focus on the EBRD’s support for fossil fuels and nuclear energy. Their recommendations call for a phase out of loans to fossil fuels, a more stringent approach to energy efficiency and a stronger focus on renewables for domestic needs.
Comments on the EBRD’s 2006 Energy Operations Policy and recommendations for the forthcoming Energy Strategy
January 15, 2013
As the first step in its review of its Energy Operations Policy, the EBRD asked for input on its current policy before moving on to write the new sectoral strategy. In our comments, Bankwatch highlighted the current policy’s lack of restrictions on climate-damaging projects including coal power plants and the need for the bank to adopt strict sustainability criteria in order to ensure that it supports only truly sustainable renewable energy.
The EIB’s energy lending in the spotlight
January 14, 2013
The European Investment Bank has opened a review of its energy policy and called for the public’s views on the key future challenges for the bank’s operations. The lending figures to the energy sector until 2011 show that the policy must better guide the EIB’s lending towards EU policy objectives of de-carbonisation of the energy sector.
European Commission, DG Environment comments to the EIB energy sector lending policy consultations
January 7, 2013
While not part of the EIB’s energy policy review process as such, following an official request for information Bankwatch has received comments submitted by the Directorate-General for Environment of the European Commission to the EIB as part of ongoing exchanges between the bank and the Commission.
Expert assessment of Alstom’s business ethics
January 4, 2013
The French energy and transport conglomerate Alstom is one of the seven finalists for the People’s Public Eye Awards 2013. This assessment – done by experts from the Institute for Business Ethics of the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland – takes a look at international treaties and Alstom’s conduct in relation to them.
Bankwatch input for the review of the European Investment Bank’s energy lending policy
December 30, 2012
In Autumn 2012, the European Investment Bank has launched a process of reviewing its energy lending policy in order to align it better with EU climate goals. Bankwatch’s comments lay out the case for fossil fuels to ‘fall out’ of the EIB’s future energy lending policy – and for an overall more ambitious, and substantially more climate-sensitive EIB energy policy.
Urgewalt/Klimaallianz (DE) Comments on EIB energy policy
December 28, 2012
In their comments on the upcoming new EIB energy policy the German NGO urgewald and the environmental coalition Klimaallianz focus on issue of coal lending and call for no more public money support for coal fired power plants, neither new plants nor retrofitting.
Counter Balance contribution to the EIB’s energy sector lending policy consultation
December 28, 2012
Counter Balance is a coalition of European environmental and development organisations that looks into the European Investment Bank’s financing with a focus on non-EU activities. The submission therefore emphasises this area, yet also comments on the questions of coal, carbon markets and nuclear lending, given the global effects of these energy sources.
Energy Cities submission for the EIB energy policy review
December 26, 2012
Energy Cities is the European Association of local authorities inventing their energy future. Their submission to the future EIB energy sector lending policy calls for an acceleration of the transition towards low energy cities with a high quality of life for all.
Involvement of EBRD in Ukraine nuclear sector – Greenpeace action in Kiev
December 18, 2012
The letter from Greenpeace to the EBRD explains in more detail why Greenpeace has joined Bankwatch’s opposition to the Ukraine nuclear power plant safety upgrade project and has staged a protest action in Kiev in December 2012. Both Greenpeace and Bankwatch fear that some of the crucial arguments are not taken into account by the EBRD staff and Board so far.
