Letter to EBRD: Espoo Convention confirms Ukraine’s non-compliance with Ukraine’s international obligations regarding nuclear reactors’ lifetime-extensions
April 22, 2013
The Implementation Committee under the Espoo Convention concluded in March 2013 that the extension of the life-times of two nuclear reactor units at the Rivne NPP are a case of non-compliance with Ukraine’s international obligations. The two units are part of a, EBRD financed project and got their life-time extensions in 2010 without preparing an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and with no information provided to potentially affected neighbouring states.
Comments on biodiversity management plan and ecological assessment for Ombla hydropower plant, Croatia
April 19, 2013
Croatian electricity company HEP, carried out an assessment of the planned Ombla hydropower plant’s impact on the Vilina Cave – Ombla Spring protected area. This assessment confirms that the site in question is among the most diverse such habitats in the country and that the construction of the power plant would have irreversible and long-lasting impacts on an area that set for protection as part of Croatia’s future Natura 2000 network.
Comments on draft EBRD strategy for Kosovo
April 18, 2013
These comments focus in particular on the energy sector in Kosovo to avoid a replication of mistakes that the EBRD made in other countries in the region. The Kosovo energy sector presents a wide range of serious challenges and it is of particular concern that the draft strategy includes specifically the new Kosovo lignite power plant project among its possible interventions (while not specifying specific energy efficiency or renewable energy projects).
KOSID comments on draft EBRD strategy for Kosovo
April 17, 2013
Kosovo Civil Society Consortium for Sustainable Development (KOSID) is an umbrella for Civil Society groups in Kosovo that follow projects with the aim of contributing to more sustainable solutions. KOSID consists of think tanks, civic initiatives, public information and outreach organizations, and specific professional institutions and associations; those work together as a group in following the projects. KOSID’s comments on the EBRD’s draft strategy for Kosovo argues against supporting a new lignite-fired power plant near Prishtina.
Letter to EBRD: Kosovo strategy procedural concerns
April 15, 2013
The EBRD draft strategy for Kosovo is currently under public consultation until April 18. While Bankwatch will also publish comments on the content of the strategy, this letter brings important procedural matters to the EBRD’s attention which, if not improved, will seriously impact the quality of the country strategy.
Comments on draft EBRD country strategy for Mongolia (2013)
March 29, 2013
Bankwatch’s comments focus on the aspects of mining and economic diversification; modernising infrastructure; energy efficiency, renewables and climate change; environmental, social and gender implications of the bank’s activities.
No time to waste – Cohesion Funds for a resource-efficient Europe
March 27, 2013
This study offers evidence and guidelines for the development of sustainable Operational Programmes in EU Member States in the waste management sector, the sector where most countries in central and eastern Europe seriously lag behind EU standards and achievements. As a policy analysis it tries to directly link the European Waste Framework Directive and the new Cohesion Policy Regulation by understanding the Resource Efficient Europe Initiative.
Inputs for the European Commission’s public consultation on unconventional fossil fuels
March 22, 2013
European environmental legislation contains no provisions on the exploration and exploitation of unconventional fossil fuels, most notably shale gas. To establish these, the European Commission has conducted a public consultation on whether and under which conditions shale gas exploitation can be an acceptable practice and on the benefits and threats it brings with it.
Open letter to EIB & EBRD: Sostanj must never happen again
March 20, 2013
After the EIB and the EBRD disbursed a promised 650 million euros for Slovenian lignite plant TES 6 on March 8, Focus Slovenia, CEE Bankwatch Network and 96 other NGOs sent this letter to the two banks calling on them to never commit to such a misguided loan again. The letter includes a list of reasons why Sostanj was undeserving of public loans and a set of measures that need to be taken by the banks immediately in order to avoid such mistakes from being repeated in the future.
The Western Balkans: EBRD’s public money to finance coal plants that threaten EU’s long-term climate targets?
March 18, 2013
The Western Balkans countries are aspiring to become members of the European Union. At the same time, 6195 MW of new coal and lignite plants are planned to be built in the Western Balkans, which will still be operating by 2050 and threaten these countries’ ability to comply with EU long-term decarbonisation objectives. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is planning to support some of these power plants via its loans.
