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Bankwatch Mail 54

Bankwatch Mail | 14 December, 2012 | Download PDF

In the ‘aftergloom’ of two major inter-governmental get-togethers – the latest UN climate talks in Doha and the EU budget summit in Brussels – Bankwatch Mail 54 discusses the revision of the energy lending policies at both the EIB and the EBRD – an opportune moment for both banks to show real climate ambition and turn their backs on fossil fuels. In an interview the new EBRD president Sir Suma Chakrabarti shows that much is moving as the bank juggles such hot potatoes as potential support for Monsanto’s expansion into our region while trying to lay down new roots in post-Arab Spring north Africa.

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Campaign update: Protests against Monsanto in front of Serbian EBRD office

Briefing | 3 December, 2012 | Download PDF

Since the news broke in early November that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is considering supporting Monsanto, one of the most controversial agricultural corporations, with up to USD 40 million, we have heard voices of protest from across Europe. Last Thursday, Serbian NGOs and anti-GMO activists took their protest to the Belgrade offices of the EBRD

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Comments on the draft EBRD country strategy for the Russian Federation

Policy comments | 3 December, 2012 | Download PDF

The EBRD is updating its country strategy for the Russian Federation. Bankwatch’s inputs in the consultation focus on assessing the needs of the updated strategy in view of the political and human rights situation, issues of corruption and transparency in Russia, development impacts of the EBRD’s activities and the energy and agriculture sectors.

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We will not share Monsanto’s risk – Open letter to the EBRD

Advocacy letter | 19 November, 2012 | Download PDF

Signed by more than 150 organisations, the letter calls on the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to not further consider USD 40 million unfunded risk participation in Monsanto’s portfolio in Bulgaria, Hungary, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine. The letter explains Monsanto’s long and controversial history of transferring its risks onto other people and the environment. It argues that support for this company and the agricultural model it represents is highly inappropriate for a multilateral development bank committed in its statute to promoting “environmentally sound and sustainable development”.

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EU budget 2014-2020: NGO priority recommendations for the Common Strategic Framework

Briefing | 19 November, 2012 | Download PDF

Environmental NGOs strongly welcome the Common Strategic Framework (CSF) as an Annex of the Common Provisions’ Regulation. It is a needed tool to ensure a proper implementation of fundamental principles and approaches of the Regulation that helps ensure that the future programmes will better contribute to reach the Europe 2020 targets, create regional green jobs, enhance economic opportunities and address environmental challenges. This briefing on the parts of the CSF which we support the most, and underlines as well several opportunities for improvements.

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