The best laid plans – Why the Investment Plan for Europe does not drive the sustainable energy transition
September 28, 2016
This report analyses projects approved by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) in its first year of operation. The fund should catalyse €315 billion in new investment, and play an important role in the fight against climate change. However, as the analysis finds, during the EFSI’s first year an additional €1.5 billion was earmarked for fossil fuel infrastructure, and 68% of transport investment is destined for carbon-intensive projects.
Dirty Precious Metals: Dumping European Toxic Waste in Tsumeb, Namibia
August 10, 2016
Based on a visit to Namibia this report assesses the environmental and social standards at the Tsumeb smelter, acquired by Canadian Dundee Precious Metals in 2010. The smelter specialises in working with some of the dirtiest copper concentrates half of
‘We have no other option’ – Preparation of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline in Albania
August 4, 2016
The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), the most western part of the Southern Gas Corridor, a pipeline project to bring gas from Azerbaijan to Europe is promoted by the European Commission as a strategic asset for Europe’s energy security. A July visit to over 30 Albanian villages revealed the high level of dissatisfaction and confusion for people impacted by the construction of TAP.
Ukraine’s nuclear programme and the Espoo Convention – letter to the Convention’s Implementation Committee
August 1, 2016
Espoo bodies sent several specific recommendations concerning its non-compliance with the Espoo Convention to Ukraine. Nonetheless Ukraine seems to be either ignoring those or taking insufficient steps towards compliance. Therefore Bankwatch summarises the state-of-play in this letter and asks the Implementation Committee to consider a number of steps to ensure the Convention’s requirements are properly met by Ukraine.
Balkan energy projects with Chinese involvement – state of play
July 31, 2016
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Romania all plan new lignite power plants during the next few years. In contrast, most EU countries are giving up building new coal plants and seven EU states are already coal-free. Since the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank have virtually halted lending for new coal power plants, most of them are due to be financed by Chinese state banks – ExIm Bank and the China Development Bank.
The economics of Pljevlja II coal plant – smoke, mirrors and EU law derogations
July 11, 2016
Decoupling economic growth from energy consumption in Romania
July 6, 2016
The report tackles the common assumption that continued economic growth necessarily entails a rise in energy consumption. The analysis shows that this is not what happens in reality, in Romania and in other EU countries. The Romanian energy ministry acknowledges that since 2009 the country’s GDP has been growing while energy consumption has been falling, but it has so far failed to factor this trajectory in the ongoing development of a new national energy strategy.
Green 10 letter: State of the European Union after Brexit – time for a new direction
June 27, 2016
Following the vote of UK citizens to leave the European Union, the group of ten of the leading environmental networks active at European level comment on the need to engage in a new reflection on the future direction of Europe. Now more than ever, it is crucial for the EU to show it is united, not paralysed, and remains willing and able to act for the benefit of its citizens and their natural environment.
Civil society Europe statement following the results of the British referendum
June 24, 2016
Civil Society Europe brings together thirty European civil society networks around the European values of sustainability, equality, solidarity, democracy and inclusion. We now await, from the European institutions, a reaction which puts these values at the centre of European policy and which starts a genuine civil dialogue between the institutions and civil society. For our organisations, which bring together tens of millions of members, this is the only way to respond to the crises in society which have influenced the way in which citizens think about the European project.
The ETS Modernisation Fund: Catalysing a locally-driven energy transition in central and eastern Europe
June 21, 2016
Energy Cities, Counter Balance, CEE Bankwatch Network and Change Partnership see the ongoing revision of the European ETS as a crucial opportunity to support the EU in meeting its 2030 climate targets, deliver on the Paris agreement and accelerate the locally driven energy transition. We welcome the proposal to establish an ETS (Emission Trading System) Modernisation Fund for low-income Member States.
