No time to celebrate: a breakthrough for human rights is needed after 30 years of the EBRD
June 21, 2021
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) stands out among multilateral development banks with the commitment of its shareholding countries to the fundamental principles of democracy and respect for human rights. As the EBRD celebrate
New beginnings at 30: can the EBRD leave behind fossil gas to become a bank fit for our future?
June 16, 2021
This report analyses the EBRD’s energy-related operations across the first two years of the Bank’s new Energy Sector Strategy (ESS) (2019-2020). This initial period of the ESS’s implementation is also compared to the previous ESS implementation period
Problematic measures to be addressed during the ongoing assessment of Recovery and Resilience Plans
June 9, 2021
This briefing provides a compilation of assessments of recovery plans submitted to the Recovery and Resilience Facility. The document was prepared in cooperation with Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, EuroNatur and the European Environmental Bureau
Joint CSO letter on the TEN-E regulation: Stop the expansion of fossil gas
June 1, 2021
This advocacy letter aims to express civil society organisations’ concerns on the reintroduction of fossil gas in the revised trans-European infrastructure energy (TEN-E) regulation. Bankwatch and 53 other CSOs ask governments to vote against the incl
The role of gas in the recovery and resilience plans
May 31, 2021
This briefing analyses plans for gas investments in the recovery plans of eight central and eastern European countries (Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania and Slovakia). It reveals that most contain gas investments,
Heating in the Western Balkans. Overview and recommendations for clean solutions
May 27, 2021
This report makes the case for the urgent need to decarbonise heating in the Western Balkans. Heating in the region is still predominantly reliant on fossil fuels and other unsustainable heating sources, like wood biomass burnt in inefficient stoves. T
An ambitious vision for European wildlife. Suggestions to the draft Vision and Strategic Plan for the Bern Convention for the period to 2030.
May 21, 2021
Friends of the Earth Europe (FOEE) and CEE Bankwatch Network submitted joint suggestions to the draft Vision and Strategic Plan for the period to 2030 of the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats. The final text
Assessment of Bulgaria’s recovery and resilience plan
May 21, 2021
This briefing provides an overview of Bulgaria’s proposed measures (as of 16 April) for spending funds from the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. Although the plan proposes some positive measures for the environment and climate, it also includes i
Building back biodiversity: How EU Member States fail to spend the recovery fund for nature
May 20, 2021
This report brings together assessments of the national recovery and resilience plans of ten central and eastern European (CEE) countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia). It outli
Eight steps for a just transition in the Western Balkans
May 18, 2021
Eight steps for a just transition aims to encourage national campaigners, civil movements, and local activists to begin the just transition process in their communities. Based on Bankwatch’s experience working with just transition countries in central