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EU funds and biomass: Slovakia risks losing sight of both the wood and the trees

Bankwatch Mail | 8 August, 2014 | Download PDF

EU funds for the 2014-2020 budgetary period look set to further fuel the massive over-exploitation of biomass for energy use in Slovakia. Formally, both the European Commission and the Slovak Ministry of Economy have announced the introduction of sustainability rules to govern the use of new EU money. Yet only the final phase of EU funds programming – now under way – will determine whether or not this latest injection of EU investment money will recklessly contribute to the destruction of Slovakia’s key natural treasure – its forests.


Opportunities and expectations towards the EIB climate policy review

Advocacy letter | 24 July, 2014 | Download PDF

After effectively phasing out lending to lignite and coal-fired power plants in its energy policy in 2013, the EIB is now reviewing its climate policy. This joint NGO letter expresses the expectations towards the EIB to align its lending further with climate science and the EU Roadmap 2050 by proposing a genuine strategy for the bank to phase out funding for projects that are detrimental to the climate and to mainstream climate considerations into each and every sector of operations the Bank is engaged in.


Human rights defenders clampdown in Azerbaijan – letter to Commissioner Fule asking to support civil society

Advocacy letter | 18 July, 2014 | Download PDF

The letter asks EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Stefan Fule to put pressure on the Azeri authorities and support and protect civil society that faces an escalating suppression. Last week more than 20 NGOs were confronted with sanctions that included freezing bank accounts and seizing personal accounts of NGO executives and others. This is a continuation of the government’s on-going harassment campaign against human rights defenders that uses tactics like police summons, arrests, propaganda, and slandering and threating organisations with closure.


Deficiencies in the implementation of the partnership principle in Cohesion Policy – Response from DG Regio

Advocacy letter | 16 July, 2014 | Download PDF

This is the response to a letter from 19 European organisations regarding deficiencies in the implementation of the partnership principle in Cohesion Policy.


Streamlining environmental assessment procedures for Projects of Common Interest (PCIs)

Briefing | 15 July, 2014 | Download PDF

This briefing outlines the environmental legislation related to investments that have been designated as Projects of Common Interest (PCIs). Through this briefing we explain for a range of stakeholders – namely civil society organizations (CSOs), local municipalities and national authorities – what are the PCIs and why these audiences should ensure that these projects do not cause undue environmental damage.