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Letter regarding EBRD operations in Egypt despite continued human rights violations

Advocacy letter | 23 December, 2013 | Download PDF

Prompted by gross human rights violations in Egypt this letter asks for clarification how the EBRD can continue to operate in Egypt even though the EBRD’s mandate states that the bank operates in “countries committed to and applying the principles of multiparty democracy, pluralism and market economics” and its continued operations in Egypt therefore amount to a blatant violation of its commitments as a public institution.


Missing sustainability: The EBRD’s controversial energy lending in Ukraine (2006-2013)

Study | 20 December, 2013 | Download PDF

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

Briefing | 12 December, 2013 | Download PDF

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

Advocacy letter | 11 December, 2013 | Download PDF

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

Study | 9 December, 2013 | Download PDF

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.