Support to fossil fuel projects from the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI)
January 13, 2017
In September 2016 the European Commission published its proposal for the prolongation of the EFSI until 2020, to be achieved by amending the existing regulation. We welcome several improvements, but are concerned that they fall short of properly tackling the challenges and shortcomings identified, namely to provide additionality and catalyse the unambiguous move to reduce GHG reductions. On the basis of our in depth report Best Laid Plans, which analysed the 93 projects approved until July 2016 and further analysis of the EFSI entire portfolio till the end of 2016 under the Infrastructure and Innovation Window (IIW), we consider that the EFSI regulation needs considerable improvements in the energy area.
NGO letter to AIIB Board of Directors on TANAP loan
December 20, 2016
We are writing to express our serious concerns about the Azeri TANAP project in Turkey coming to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s Board of Directors on Wednesday (December 21) at an extraordinary meeting. While the AIIB TANAP project sheet in
NGO letter to AIIB concerning loan for Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) in Turkey
December 20, 2016
Ahead of an expected loan decision by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank for the TANAP pipeline, non-governmental organisations raised concerns over financing a project of this size in a country under martial law where the human rights situation is deteriorating continuously.
The Bratislava bypass – a public-private partnership to get around traffic problems and debt statistics
December 19, 2016
In this report, Bankwatch and Counter Balance trace the murky story of the Bratislava bypass, a EUR 1.76 billion project supported by the Slovak government and promoted as the biggest project in central eastern Europe that was guaranteed through the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI).
Don’t finance Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) – NGO letter to World Bank
December 19, 2016
A group of 39 international NGOs sent a letter to the Directors of the World Bank (WB) today urging the Bank not to finance the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP). TANAP is the Eastern part of the Southern Gas Corridor, a 3500 kilometres-long chain of gas pipelines from Azerbaijan to Europe. The WB Directors will consider on December 20th a loan to the Turkish company Botas for the construction of the pipeline.
Risky business – Who benefits from the Southern Gas Corridor
December 13, 2016
The Southern Gas Corridor, a string of pipelines meant to bring gas from Azerbaijan into Europe, is presented as a panacea for all ills and is set to benefit from some of the biggest loans in the history of European public banks. But as this report reveals, Europe’s flagship energy project is set to benefit a host of companies and individuals with a particularly shady track record. Several companies contracted to build the Southern Gas Corridor have a worrying history of corruption.
Sustainability criteria for hydropower development
December 11, 2016
Any hydropower project no matter the size can cause negative consequences to water basins, associated ecosystems, to climate and affected communities living along the water basins. A large number of individually acceptable projects can also lead to una
Reviewing the European Investment Bank’s carbon footprint methodology
December 8, 2016
The briefing makes recommendations for the European Investment Bank’s methodology for calculating greenhouse gas emissions, which is currently under review. It also provides case studies that illustrate the shortcomings of the bank’s current approach – most notably its strategy towards supporting gas projects.
Letter to ADB concerning loan for Shah Deniz gas field in Azerbaijan
December 5, 2016
Ahead of an expected loan decision by the Asian Development Bank for the Shah Deniz gas field in Azerbaijan, non-governmental organisations raised concerns over the human rights situation in the country as well as in Turkey, to where the gas from Shah Deniz will be transported via the Southern Gas Corridor.
Postpone decision on loan for Shah Deniz II gas field in Azerbaijan – letter to the board of the Asian Development Bank
December 5, 2016
Ahead of the Asian Development Bank’s board meeting where a loan to the Shah Deniz gas expansion project in Azerbaijan is to be discussed, a group of NGOs ask the ADB board to postpone a decision and align the ADB to the practice of other IFIs involved in financing the same and related gas projects.
