Economic and social benefits of community energy projects
June 18, 2013
“Community energy projects” are energy projects providing for direct benefits to a group of local shareholders. The opportunity for residents to develop and own green energy infrastructure or to jointly leverage untapped energy saving potential, represents a range of economic and social opportunities such as job creation, business opportunities, lowering energy bills and acceptance of sustainable energy production.
Off balance – The Georgian energy sector and the contradictions in EU policy and practice
June 18, 2013
This study reviews the development of greenfield hydro projects in Georgia and explores how current energy sector trends in the country relate – or otherwise – to sustainable energy principles.
How strong are human rights safeguards in the EBRD’s policies? Lessons learned from the Kolubara project
May 30, 2013
Experience with the implementation of the Environmental and Social Policy in the case of several controversial projects suggests that the EBRD’s environmental and social safeguards are not robust enough and need strengthened. The case of the Kolubara coal mine ‘Environmental Improvement’ project, Serbia illustrates how the policy places most responsibilities on the client, and EBRD assessment and monitoring are excessively reliant on input from the client, even in cases when feedback from NGOs and communities consistently contradicts the claims of the project sponsor.
Comments on the draft EBRD Transport Strategy
May 30, 2013
The explicit recognition of the Avoid-Shift-Improve framework in the EBRD’s draft transport strategy is welcome and serves as a useful guiding principle on where investments should be concentrated. However, how this principle is applied in practice is not explained throughout the document and the bank’s planned activities need to be more clearly linked to this framework in the document.
Letter on Kolubara lignite mine to the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia
May 28, 2013
The letter brings the resettlement and expropriation issues that are connected to the Kolubara lignite mine to the attention of the EU’s representation in Serbia. Enclosed were recent letters to the EBRD and the Serbian finance minister (pdf) as well as a guardian article that illustrates the urgency of these problems.
Concerns about the proposed EBRD loan to Kuwait Energy
May 27, 2013
This analysis looks to the proposed loan of the EBRD to Kuwait energy, scheduled for approval on 29 May. Primary findings are that: The EBRD failed to properly identify the beneficiary of the loan, or the country where it is incorporated (the tax haven Jersey). The fossil fuel nature of Kuwait Energy’s drilling will fail to improve development or social justice in Egypt. While the EBRD claims to prioritise renewable energy, the reality shows a commitment to further oil & gas extraction, one of the few sectors that can easily attract capital.
The EIB’s energy lending: stuck in the past or facing the future?
May 21, 2013
This poster examines positive and negative examples of the European Investment Bank’s energy projects. It illustrates why it matters what will be in the future energy lending policy of the EU’s bank. See an interactive version of the poster >>>
Review of the EBRD’s Project Complaint Mechanism – comments on the existing policy
May 19, 2013
These comments on the existing Project Complaint Mechanism of the EBRD expands in a few places the pointers on the accountability mechanism that were prepared earlier.
Open letter to Serbian Minister for Finance and Economy concerning Kolubara resettlement
May 14, 2013
The open letter – signed by Srpski Centar Ekologije, Uneco Kolubara, and Bankwatch member group CEKOR – raises issues with resettlement and expropriations connected to the Kolubara lignite mine that are not adequately addressed.
Community Power – putting people to the heart of energy systems
May 13, 2013
“Community energy projects” are energy projects providing for direct benefits to a group of local shareholders. The opportunity for residents to develop and own green energy infrastructure or to jointly leverage untapped energy saving potential, represents a range of economic and social opportunities such as job creation, business opportunities, lowering energy bills and acceptance of sustainable energy production.
