Why and how the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development must improve its biodiversity standards
June 24, 2024
The EBRD’s Environmental and Social Policy is now undergoing revision and it needs not only to maintain the EBRD’s practices with regard to biodiversity, but also to significantly improve them.
Hooked on gas: Report on the status of national energy and climate plans in central and eastern Europe
June 20, 2024
This publication highlights the need for gas phase-out pathways and identifies shortcomings in the current draft NECPs of eight central and eastern European Member States.
Joint civil society comments on the EBRD biodiversity standards (ESR 6)
May 29, 2024
Ahead of the EBRD’s Annual Meeting, 12 civil society organisations submitted their collective input on the revised draft of the EBRD’s Environmental and Social Policy, focusing on standards related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of living natural resources.
Why is rebuilding the Kakhovka dam not the best option for Ukraine?
May 29, 2024
After the collapse of the Kakhovka dam in 2023, some stakeholders support the reconstruction of the dam, while others are willing to support the restoration of the natural landscape on the site of the former reservoir.
The EBRD’s (ir)responsible exit from the Amulsar gold mine project in Armenia
May 29, 2024
The engagement of the EBRD in supporting the Amulsar gold mine in Armenia in its early stages resulted in adverse environmental, social, economic, and human rights impacts. The EBRD terminated funding to the client and exited the project, but the harm remains unremedied.
Delays in Almaty CHP-2 gas project open new opportunities for a rethink
May 29, 2024
Supported by the EBRD, the conversion of Almaty’s coal heat and power plant CHP-2 to gas has been seriously delayed. This opens an opportunity for a rethink: Why is the EBRD continuing to support this project instead of funding a clean and potentially cheaper type of heating?
Gender mainstreaming in urban mobility investments
May 29, 2024
In many cities around the world, moving freely, safely and without constraint remains a daily challenge for vulnerable groups including women. In this paper, we identify shortcomings in the EBRD’s implementation of gender mainstreaming in the urban transport sector and make recommendations for improvement.
Learning from multiple crises to build resilient agri-food systems
May 29, 2024
While the EBRD investments helped increase agricultural production in its countries of operation, there is an urgent need to address the regional and global challenges. This can be done through sustainable investment into small and medium farms, phasing out large-scale livestock production, investing in circularity and decarbonisation
Suggestions for integrating considerations of land concentration impacts into the EBRD’s safeguards
May 29, 2024
Based on our experience with the EBRD’s investments in the agricultural sector, we have worked with the Land Matrix Initiative to formulate recommendations for the EBRD to integrate considerations of the impact of land concentration into its safeguards.
From drainage to restoration: A new chapter for Estonia’s wetlands
May 28, 2024
In Estonia, drained peatlands are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and thus exacerbate climate change. Our case study highlights the success of a project aimed at restoring the water regime of a mire ecosystem, leading to a remarkable growth in vegetation and the recovery of multiple species.
