Greens call for active efforts by European Commission to ensure an improved EBRD mining strategy
July 12, 2012
The letter by the Green members of the European Parliament calls for active efforts of the EU representative at the European Bank for Reconstructoin and Development to ensure that the bank’s new mining strategy endorses EU principles and standards for resource efficiency, biodiversity protection, poverty eradication, inclusive growth, transparency and public participation in the mining projects the EBRD supports.
Complaint to EBRD on Rivne – Kyiv High Voltage Line Project seeking project compliance review
July 10, 2012
Complaint to EBRD on Kolubara lignite mine project
July 10, 2012
The communities in Vreoci request the EBRD to suspend the loan for the Kolubara lignite mine because of the project company’s failure to meet performance requirements regarding: – community health, safety and security – information disclosure and stakeholder engagement – land acquisition and resettlement – environmental and social appraisal management – pollution prevention and abatement
Flights of fancy – A case study on aviation and EU funds in Poland
July 9, 2012
The study reviews the rationale of EU Cohesion Policy investments in airport infrastructure using the example of Poland. Both the development and maintenance of airport infrastructure benefit from EU, national and regional budget support. Beyond this, public money flows to airline companies, in practice as gratification for opening and sustaining flight connections.
Complaint to EIB on Rivne – Kyiv High Voltage Line Project seeking project compliance review
July 6, 2012
Comments on EBRD Methodology for Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
July 6, 2012
Bankwatch’s provided comments on the EBRD’s GHG emissions accounting methodology (pdf) in an effort to improve the carbon footprint of EBRD’s investments. We primarily focus on how baselines are set and the treatment of scope 2 and scope 3 emissions.
Off Their Game – The Green 10’s Mid-Term Review of the European Commission’s Environmental Track Record 2010-2012
July 3, 2012
Halfway through its term in office, the European Commission is off target in creating sustainable long-term prosperity in Europe. The report assesses progress in nine EU policy fields with impacts on the environment and reviews the track record of 13 European Commissioners and Commission President José Manuel Barroso.
Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 priorities for the Cyprus Presidency 2012
July 1, 2012
During the Cyprus Presidency the ordinary legislative procedure for adopting the regulatory framework on the future Cohesion Policy shall be concluded.
Open letter to EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs, General Affairs Council
June 25, 2012
Current proposals for the Cohesion Policy’s European Regional Development Fund would effectually rebrand gas as a low-carbon energy source in spite of its status as a fossil fuel. This letter, signed by 21 environmental organisations, urges Europe’s decision makers not to approve these proposals and instead to ensure that European regional development investments focus on renewable energy sources, smart energy distribution, and energy efficiency measures.
Comments and recommendations on the EBRD Draft Mining Strategy
June 23, 2012
(Download a short version of these comments as pdf.) As it is now, the EBRD foresees growth in the mining sector and sees its involvement as crucial in this process. At the same time the Bank recognizes that mining can cause significant adverse environmental and social impacts, including permanent ones, and that no single mine can be sustainable since it exploits a finite local resource.
