Publications

The complaint alleges that since the start of MHP operations in Vinnytsia in 2010, continuous odor and dust from a significant and growing number of facilities and the application of manure on nearby fields has made local life untenable. MHP activities have also led to a dra…

In our opinion, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has failed to comply with the Standard 7 by not respecting the status of Svans as indigenous peoples. The Bank did not fulfill its environmental and social standards: it ignored the project’s significant impacts on Svans, th…

The conclusions of the EBRD’s Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) are not guided by detailed field work and focus group research with the affected communities – indigenous Svans, nor are they based on the robust and objective analysis of existing academic opini…

Several EU enlargement countries in the Western Balkans – as well as EU member states Romania and Greece – plan to build new lignite power plants. In contrast, the EU aims to decarbonise its energy sector by 2050, most EU countries no longer build new coal plants and seven E…

The banks have a responsibility to ensure that when they make an investment, they mitigate and avoid situations that put persons at risk. The Nenskra dam in Georgia is one example where the lack of proper environmental and social assessment can potentially unfold into a cris…

While it is positive that banks want to finance the much-needed transition away from coal towards renewable energy in the Balkans, it is crucial to ensure that the cure is not worse than the disease. Most of the projects planned in the Balkans are small. But their impacts ar…

Despite its commitments to increase the share of renewables under the Energy Community and reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the process of EU accession, the Serbian government seems determined to remain locked-in to a carbon intensive energy system, with several coal p…

Changes in the approach to governance put forward by the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev deserve to be encouraged by the international community. It is natural that the EBRD is ready to provide support to a country willing to accelerate reforms. However, the situation in Uzbeki…

These written comments on MHP stakeholder engagement follow a meeting between Bankwatch/NECU and MHP on 7 April 2017. Bankwatch and NECU welcomed the opportunity to meet MHP, as well as the company’s stated intention to improve the way it conducts impact assessments and enga…

Relying on its experience in monitoring EBRD projects in recent years, Bankwatch re-assessed the EBRD Public Information Policy (PIP) and Environmental and Social Policy (ESP). EBRD Public Information Policy (PIP) 2014 General comments Specific comments Annex Environmental a…

1. The EFSI regulation lists seven general objectives (sectors) open to funding: energy transport infrastructure and equipment research, development and innovation small, medium and small mid-cap companies information and telecommunication technology environment and resource…

The EU is facing unprecedented challenges right now, but the future Cohesion Policy can make a contribution to strengthening the rule of law, fundamental rights and the principles of democracy, while also enabling ordinary citizens and local communities to participate in the…