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How strong are human rights safeguards in the EBRD’s policies? Lessons learned from the Kolubara project

Policy comments | 30 May, 2013 | Download PDF

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

Policy comments | 30 May, 2013 | Download PDF

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

Advocacy letter | 28 May, 2013 | Download PDF

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

Briefing | 27 May, 2013 | Download PDF

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?

Leaflet | 21 May, 2013 | Download PDF

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 >>>