European Semester 3.0 – Strong policy coherence needed to rebuild trust and a sustainable development perspective
February 10, 2015
The European Semester should be further developed to become an effective governance and enforcement mechanism that can ensure coherence between national fiscal policies and overarching sustainable development objectives. To this extent national Environmental Fiscal Reforms (EFR) should be accelerated via the European Semester and Member States national public spending and investment plans should be checked against their delivery on sustainable development.
Civil society aiming to clamp down on EIB tax haven evasiveness
February 2, 2015
Pressure is mounting on the European Investment Bank to take swift action that addresses weaknesses in its policy on lending to businesses based in tax havens.
Key civil society messages on the EIB climate policy
February 2, 2015
This briefing was presented to the directors of the European Investment Bank during a meeting with civil society organisations.
Eight things to give the EIB’s forthcoming climate policy meaning, purpose and ambition
February 2, 2015
The European Investment Bank, as the EU’s lending arm, needs a lending policy on climate protection which properly reflects the EU’s climate policies and legislation.
Fracking: What every Tunisian should know
January 31, 2015
The first instance of shale gas extraction with hydraulic fracturing in Tunisia took place in March 2010 and since then Tunisia actively supports this method. Former prime minister Mehdi Jomaa (who once worked for a subsidiary of oil company Total) said in September 2014 that his government is determined to explore shale gas and that critics will not stop Tunisia pursuing its extraction.
Letter to EIB directors: EIB final draft of transparency policy is insufficient
January 27, 2015
One week before the European Investment Bank’s board of directors is expected to approve the bank’s new transparency policy, 13 civil society groups warn the EIB’s directors that the draft policy amounts to a weakening of the already dismal transparency standards of the EU’s house bank.
Pipe dreams – why public subsidies for Lukoil in Azerbaijan will not reduce EU dependency on Russia
January 21, 2015
The study explains why the Southern Gas Corridor, the EU’s new pet energy project, is not only unnecessary in light of gas demand projections, but also seems likely to fall short on the much flaunted goal of bringing energy independence from Russia.
Environmental Impact Assessment in focus – A tool to promote democracy and environmental protection
December 26, 2014
The Environmental Impact Assessment process is an important tool for the public in both the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) and the Eastern Partnership region (EaP) to ensure fully fledged public participation. Knowing the general jargon of the EIA process and understanding its structure, functions and aims, provides the public with a great opportunity to ensure its right to participation and to influence decision-making. This publication aims to bring this knowledge to those who can benefit from it.
Complaint towards EBRD against Mongolian company Altain Khuder and its Tayan Nuur iron ore mine
December 23, 2014
The complaint, filed by seven individuals affected by the mine on 23 December 2014 at the EBRD’s Project Complaint Mechanism (PCM), alleges that the environmental and social impacts of Altain Khuder’s mine are inconsistent with EBRD’s policies. Herders have brought these impacts to the attention of the company on numerous occasions but rather than solving the problems the company has reacted with intimidation and legal action.
Proposed Lukoil EBRD loan – for whose benefit?
December 22, 2014
Despite the Russian invasion in Ukraine leading to EU and US sanctions against Moscow and major Russian energy companies, public banks supported by EU countries are gearing up to offer almost a billion dollars in financial support to Russian company Lukoil for gas extraction in Azerbaijan.
