A letter to Ukrainian president Yuschenko regarding memorandum between government of Ukraine and ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih
December 2, 2008
A letter to Ukrainian president exposes the agreement between the Ukraine’s government and ArcelorMittal. In that agreement the company asks for reduced energy rates and delayed implementation of energy saving projects, while, on the contrary, the EBRD has lended money for modernization and improving the energy efficiency of the plant. Download ukrainian version in Microsoft Word format here.
Bankwatch Mail 38
December 1, 2008
In this issue: A fossil free EIB requires political will * South east Europe’s leaders to cling to carbon during COP 14 * Counting down to Copenhagen – counting on public money to do more for climate-friendly investments * No more excuses for IFI heel-dragging on renewables in emerging markets * EBRD carbon factor: Readers decide * Many cooks stirring Albania’s carbon soup * Looking beyond nuke bickering in the Baltics * EU-Ukraine energy cooperation needs a rethink * World Bank is accomplishing mission impossible in CEE, says the Bank * PPP’s perils and pitfalls make it no panacea – new Bankw
Never mind the balance sheet – the dangers posed by public-private partnerships in central and eastern Europe
November 27, 2008
In recent years public-private partnerships (PPPs) have been heavily promoted in central and eastern Europe (CEE), often giving the impression that where infrastructure is concerned, PPPs are the only game in town. Yet behind the plethora of conferences, workshops and publications, few CEE countries have implemented more than two or three PPP projects, and even fewer truly successful projects.
An approach to Barroso regarding taxpayers-backed loans for the car industry
November 19, 2008
This letter focuses on a loan proposal from the EIB for the car industry. The bank already funded companies that are producers of models with high fuel consumption while progress on improving fuel efficiency has ground to a halt. This projected loan is in no way relevant to the proposed European policy to set lower future levels of CO2 emissions. Also the loan itself is an extremely significant figure and equals 80 euros per EU citizen.
Follow up letter to DG Regional policy regarding controversial transport projects – Prague ring road (R1) and Katowice-Vienna TENT connection in South Moravia (R52 / R55 motorways)
November 14, 2008
This letter highlights problems with two controversial transport projects, the Prague Ring Road and Katowice – Vienna connection proposed under the TEN-T program. Specifically in the case of the Prague Ring Road, these issues include nuclear safety regulations, inappropriate traffic mitigation measures and changes to the land use plan. Problematic issues with the Katowice – Vienna connection include environmental and transport efficiency concerns.
Briefing paper about the ‘Gazela’ resettlement process
October 20, 2008
Comments to the Visaginas nuclear power plant EIA
October 20, 2008
Letter to the EIB regarding consultations on its Lending Policy for municipal waste
October 13, 2008
On March 17, 2009 the EIB responded to our letter. Download the response in Microsoft Word format here.
Letter to the EIB regarding consultations on its Lending Policy for municipal waste
October 13, 2008
On March 17, 2009 the EIB responded to our letter. Download the response in Microsoft Word format here.
EU funds informer
October 10, 2008
The first issue of this new bulletin, prepared by CEE Bankwatch Network and Friends of the Earth Europe, aims to provide ground-level information and commentaries on the implementation of the cohesion policy in central and eastern Europe (CEE). It is part of the campaign Billions for Sustainability which gives a voice to local concerns over the isuse of EU money for economically, socially and environmentally controversial projects and calls for the EU Funds to truly benefit people living across Europe and their environment.