Riga’s climate neutrality planning: an example of realistic ambition and public engagement
February 15, 2023
This briefing provides an overview of the planning process Riga city council took when designing the Riga Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan Until 2030, as well as insight into the plan itself.
Joint Statement On the Expansion of the Emerald Network in Countries of the Western Balkans by scientists and representatives of NGOs
February 13, 2023
In early December 2022, 39 scientists and representatives of NGOs from Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Switzerland joined efforts to prepare a shadow list and a map o
Biodiversity on the brink: What’s holding back financing for nature in the EU?
February 7, 2023
This report provides insights into a number of significant barriers at the national level to financing nature restoration and conservation measures, such as authorities’ lack of knowledge about what constitutes biodiversity, insufficient collaboration between actors and excessively restrictive funding criteria. It also includes recommendations for both the EU and national levels.
What is the current state of the just transition processes in Bulgaria?
January 30, 2023
This briefing summarises just transition planning in Bulgaria thus far, reviewing the TJTPs’ compatibility with EU requirements and the overall process’s alignment with the partnership principle. It provides recommendations for improving just transition in the upcoming period.
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
