Comments to the EBRD’s draft gender strategy
October 22, 2015
In spite of positive elements the EBRD’s Draft Strategy for the Promotion of Gender Equality is unclear or appears to lack consistency in some parts. More importantly, the EBRD’s failure to take a rights-based approach to gender equality has resulted in a limited vision of gender equality of economic opportunity “as a key tool” for promoting efficient market transition. By making the business case for gender equality this approach may ensure stronger ownership of the Strategy by the bank, but it is a missed opportunity for aligning the Strategy with the bank’s unique Sustainable Development mandate. Without a persuasive presentation of the EBRD’s strategic approach to safeguarding gender rights, the draft of the Strategy lacks justification for choosing to promote women while refusing to protect them.
Letter to government of Namibia: request for access to information about the Tsumeb smelter
October 9, 2015
The Tsumeb smelter in Namibia belongs to Dundee Precious Metals, a Canadian company that operates and develops gold, copper and silver mines in Bulgaria, Armenia and Serbia. Investigating complaints about local pollution, Bankwatch member group Za Zemiata (BG) repeatedly requested access to environmental information from the Namibian government – to no avail. Read more about the Tsumeb smelter on our blog >>
Comments on Environmental Impact Assessment for Nenskra hydropower plant in Georgia
September 30, 2015
These comments on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the Nenskra hydropower plant in Georgia concludes that the quality of the submitted report is extremely poor. The report as well as the public hearings organised during its preparation do not comply with Georgian legislation or with the requirements of International Financial Institutions.
Energy Efficiency – Just Do It! Act now for warmer homes, local jobs and cleaner air!
September 29, 2015
This report explains the importance of the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and argues why it must have the strongest objectives and targets as possible for SEE countries.
Request for information on EIB loans to Volkswagen
September 25, 2015
Following revelations about Volkswagen cheating in emissions tests and about the European Investment Bank’s substantial support for VW – including loans for research and development of cleaner engines, Bankwatch requested information on EIB loans to the car maker. The bank provided highly insufficient responses. Read more here >>
A clear and present danger – How financial institutions and authorities have failed to address the human impacts of resettlement in Serbia’s lignite mining fields
September 25, 2015
This study shows how the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has failed to enforce several of its basic principles on involuntary resettlement in the Kolubara Mining Basin, one of the largest sources of lignite in Europe, where mining has continued for over fifty years.
Black earth – Agribusiness in Ukraine and the marginalisation of rural communities
September 14, 2015
Given Ukraine’s abundant land resources and food production potential, modernisation of agriculture is necessary and industrialisation is inevitable. Yet, an investigation into the Vinnytsia poultry complex shows the negative side effects of large-scale industrialisation of meat production and sounds the alarm about the risks that agroholdings pose to communities.
Analysis of compatibility of the Plomin C coal plant with Credit Agricole’s energy policies
September 10, 2015
The analysis, by Friends of the Earth France and Croatia, Zelena Istra, CEE Bankwatch Network and BankTrack, screens the risks of the 500 megawatt Plomin C coal power plant project proposed for development in the picturesque Istrian peninsula in Croatia, a popular international tourist destination. It concludes that French bank Crédit Agricole’s support for the project is inconsistent with the bank’s climate ambitions and its own sector policy on coal-fired power plants. according to a new study released today.
Letter: Substantial amendments needed for EIB climate strategy
September 8, 2015
The European Investment Bank’s draft Climate Strategy, although it presents a few interesting technical opportunities, does not constitute a fully-fledged strategy: it lacks strong and measurable objectives, relevant action plans and clear implementation timelines to support those objectives. Bankwatch, urgewald, Counter Balance and WWF Europe therefore ask the EIB to make substantial amendments to the draft in the following three areas: energy efficiency, the cimate action target and the emissions performance standard.
Ukraine nuclear lifetime extensions require impact assessment in compliance with Aarhus and Espoo convention
August 18, 2015
On several occasions the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development stated that operations of its clients should comply with all international treaties and other legal obligations. In spite of these reassurances, Energoatom in Ukraine keeps ignoring its international obligations, as outlined in the Espoo Convention, in the processes of assessing the life-time extension of its nuclear reactors.
