If fences make good neighbours, what about nuclear energy? How Ukraine’s nuclear future ties into Europe’s energy security strategy
April 26, 2011
In 2010 Ukraine joined the European Energy Community to integrate into the European electricity and gas markets. The Ukrainian government is looking to the EU and international financial institutions to sponsor a warily nuclear-intensive, export-oriented energy program.
Ignoring Chernobyl’s lessons – How EU ‘Energy Security’ expands nuclear energy in Ukraine
April 26, 2011
As the world marks the 25th anniversary of the world’s worst nuclear disaster at Chernobyl and against the backdrop of the threat from Fukushima’s nuclear facilities, our study reveals that the European Commission, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are indirectly supporting lifetime extensions of old Ukrainian nuclear reactors as a means to secure ‘cheap’ Ukrainian electricity exports to the EU Member States.
Bankwatch Mail 47
April 15, 2011
Content (Click on titles to read articles online) Abuses continue in Moscow as development banks give up on Khimki road financing Local pressure in Lithuania keeps EU funds out of the waste incineration fire It’s the EU funds, stupid, and the green economic dividends they offer BTC under fire for violating human rights obligations and pipeline integrity issues
Vinci’s failure to respect Global Compact commitments on human rights and the environment in Khimki
March 28, 2011
The letter to representatives of the UN Global Compact gives details on the failure to respect commitments under the Global Compact initiative by the construction company Vinci in connection with the Moscow St. Petersburg motorway project (near Khimki).
Letter to European Commission: Consultation process for the future Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance post 2013
March 25, 2011
Consultations for the future Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) has not been promoted adequately to attract attention and inputs from civil society. Bankwatch and its partners and members from the Western Balkan region therefore request to prolong the consultation period and promote the call for consultations more widely.
Comments to the EC’s plans to increase EIB operations and commence ERBD operations in North Africa
March 23, 2011
The European Commission’s announced plans to give the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction leading roles in promoting democratisation and development in the Southern Mediterranean region. Counter Balance and Bankwatch are concerned that both institutions first need to demonstrate their ability to bring environmentally sustainable and socially positive development impacts. We also call for an immediate investigation into the EIB financing to the Mediterranean so far, to examine whether corrupted elites have benefited from the bank’s loans.
Civil society concerns about EBRD expansion into North Africa
March 23, 2011
As a result of the recent revolts in the Southern Mediterranean, the European Commission proposed March 8 that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development be given a leading role in promoting democratisation and development in the region. But NGOs argue that the EBRD’s mandate should not be expanded for the foreseeable future.
Bankwatch comments on EBRD country level transition indicators
March 22, 2011
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s transition indicators for some time already were rather disconnected from the situation in the EBRD’s countries of operation. Our comments are premised on the point that the ultimate goal of transition is not only a market economy, but an environmentally sustainable and socially just one.
EU public funds for “securing” dirty coal and nuclear energy Ukraine transmission lines background paper
March 15, 2011
Over the past few years, a series of strategies, agreements and loans have brought the EU and Ukraine into closer cooperation on perpetuating nuclear and carbon-intensive energy infrastructure and generation, with international financial institutions (IFIs) brokering the deals.
Comments to draft EBRD country strategy for Ukraine
March 14, 2011
