Missing sustainability: The EBRD’s controversial energy lending in Ukraine (2006-2013)
December 20, 2013
While the EBRD’s founding document require it to “promote in the full range of its activities environmentally sound and sustainable development” more than half of the bank’s energy investments in Ukraine for the period 2006-2013 hardly served the purpose of sustainable development promotion. In this period the EBRD has supported nuclear energy production and new output capacities for nuclear power plants, export-oriented infrastructure, as well as controversial initiatives in the renewable energy sector.
Preventing tax loss through offshore financial centres: The EBRD must lead by example
December 12, 2013
In recent years, the EBRD has increasingly recognised the important role that states play in the transition to a well-functioning market economy that is based on strong institutions and the inclusion of all social groups into the economy. For this, states need resources, and taxation is one of the main means to ensure them.
Letter: NGOs call on Director Generals of DG Regio, Clima and Environment to turn around EU funds programming at half time
December 11, 2013
At the present stage, the Partnership Agreements and the Operational Programmes for the next Cohesion Policy period (2014-2020) are not proving to be sufficient for effectively catalysing the EU’s transition towards resource efficient, renewable energy based economies. In this letter to the Director Generals for Regional Policy, Environment and Climate Change, European environmental NGOs raise their worries over the Programming of EU Funds in EU Member States. The main concern is that environmental priorities are not being properly addressed.
Coal and corruption – the case of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
December 9, 2013
The EBRD is about to approve a new energy strategy, yet it is unclear to what extent it will follow other public lenders in halting coal financing. In this paper we step away from the discussions on climate issues to take a look at another reason why the EBRD should be wary of investing in coal projects: corruption.
Local impacts of Danosha pig farms, Ukraine
November 27, 2013
The EBRD is considering a loan to the Ukrainian agribusiness corporation Danosha whose pig farms in the Ivano-Frankvisk region have triggered numerous complains by locals.
NGOs urge China to invest in renewables instead of coal in central and eastern Europe
November 25, 2013
On the occasion of a China – Central and Eastern European Countries summit in Bucharest, NGOs from across the region have written to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang calling on him to support renewable energy and energy efficiency investments, instead of the series of coal projects currently planned across eastern and south-east Europe.
Mobilisation of public-private financing for community based sustainable energy projects – Briefing for local actors
November 25, 2013
Regional and local governments, communities and local action groups are able to receive financial support from the 2014 – 2020 EU budget to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in their communities. This briefing outlines how an optimal public-private financing mix, including European funding, can look and how it can be developed with the involvement of local stakeholders.
South Ukrainian nuclear power plants – not ready for a safe operation in over-design period
November 25, 2013
The licence for unit 1 of the South Ukrainian nuclear power plant is going to expire on December 2, 2013. The unit has been stopped already in March 2013 for necessary maintenance and safety upgrade works. The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRIU) conditioned the possibility of the unit’s re-start and lifetime extension to a list of measures that need to be implemented.
Analysis on the compliance of the environmental permit for the Stanari thermal power plant with EU Directives
November 21, 2013
This study by Dr hab. Leszek Pazderski and commissioned by the Center for Environment, Banja Luka, describes the compliance of the environmental permit for the planned Stanari lignite power plant in Bosnia and Herzegovina (issued in May 2008 and then changed in September 2010) with currently valid directives of the European Union, regulating industrial emissions and their environmental impact.
Clean coal? There is no such thing
November 17, 2013
Air pollution levels in Beijing and other major Chinese cities have been making headlines, when millions of people were confined to their homes for several days to avoid the most drastic impacts on their health. For the longest time now the world believed that China would forever continue to build its infamous ’one new coal-fired power station per week’. China, however, is starting to rethink its course on coal: In September 2013 the Chinese government announced a cap on coal consumption in three economically important provinces.
