Western Balkans holds breath for better air quality
June 26, 2017
In the Western Balkans, air pollution can be a fatal problem, made worse by some of those countries’ energy policies. Ioana Ciuta sheds light on the region’s developing crisis, which is claiming lives at an alarming rate.
Independent monitoring of air pollution calls for urgent action in the Balkans
June 26, 2017
Independent dust monitoring in Balkan countries has found worrying levels of particulate matter, dust so small it enters deep into our lungs and blood streams causing irreversible damage and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
What will it take to make Balkan leaders realise new coal plants are a liability, not a gold mine?
June 16, 2017
Almost all the countries in the Balkan region are planning to build new coal power plants, but there has been virtually no mention of the need for them to comply with new pollution standards.
Planned coal power in the Balkans will breach new EU pollution standards – analysis
June 14, 2017
Almost none of the new coal power plants planned in the Western Balkans will meet new, stricter EU pollution standards, according to a new analysis by CEE Bankwatch Network, released today.
A Bulgarian oligarch, tax avoidance and a village that tries to move: how Sofia fails to implement EU pollution laws
June 12, 2017
Unsuccessful in making a coal power plant reduce abhorrent pollution levels, the village of Golemo Selo, Bulgaria is trying to “move” to a new municipality, hoping to have more say in matters concerning its citizens’ health and livelihoods.
The worst was yet to come – ludicrous air pollution in Romanian village
June 8, 2017
Levels of particulate matter (fine dust) in Rosia de Jiu, Romania were up to 20 times above the limit suggested by the World Health Organisation, show the results of our independent monitoring.
[Campaign update] Environmentalists take planned Montenegrin coal plant to court
May 16, 2017
Green Home, a Montenegrin environmental non-governmental organisation, on Friday submitted a complaint to the Administrative Court of Montenegro requesting the cancellation of the environmental approval for the controversial Pljevlja II coal power plant the government seeks to build.
The dirty secret in Sofia’s backyard – the coal dust that only comes at night
May 10, 2017
Brussels may fine Bulgaria for its excessive air pollution. But living in Pernik, the most polluted town in Europe, remains a hazard to peoples’ health as the results of Bankwatch’s independent dust monitoring show.
Asian Development Bank projects in Mongolia
May 5, 2017
With a dominance of coal in its energy sector, the Mongolian government is planning more than six new coal power plants over the next decade, despite already severe air pollution and public protests against the government’s inaction. The Asian Developm
Doing the same thing and expecting different results: Mongolia plans to curb air pollution with more coal
May 3, 2017
A new law on air pollution recently adopted by the Mongolian government is in part the result of massive demonstrations against air pollution in the capital. The new policy, however, involves even more reliance on coal.
