Comply or close: how Western Balkan coal plants breach air pollution laws and what governments must do about it
December 10, 2019
In 2018, pollution control legislation under the Energy Community Treaty finally obliged the Western Balkan countries to start reducing the choking air pollution from their coal power plants. Action was badly needed. In 2016, these 16 plants emitted as
New report: hydropower subsidies wreak environmental havoc and line influential pockets in the Western Balkans
September 25, 2019
Disproportionate public subsidies for small hydropower in the Western Balkans have resulted in widespread environmental damage and have benefited wealthy business people close to or part of the region’s governments, with little benefit for electricity generation, finds a new study released today by CEE Bankwatch Network.
Reversal of subsidies for wind power in Bosnia and Herzegovina prompts legal action
September 4, 2019
The Republika Srpska entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina has breached competition legislation by halting its incentive scheme for wind farms in March this year, according to a complaint submitted today to the Energy Community Secretariat in Vienna by the Banja-Luka-based Center for Environment.
Destructive hydropower in southeast Europe
September 4, 2018
International commercial and public banks have been bankrolling a wave of hydropower projects across Southeast Europe that have damaged pristine rivers, including in protected areas. These financiers need to take their share of the responsibility and stop financing projects in sensitive areas.
Over 120,000 petition development banks to Save the Blue Heart of Europe and drop destructive hydropower in the Balkans
June 21, 2018
London, Prague, Radolfzell, Vienna – Representatives from the Save the Blue Heart of Europe campaign to save Europe’s last remaining wild rivers [1] handed in a petition endorsed globally by more than 120,000 people, calling on international development banks to rein in financial support for hydropower projects in the Balkans.
China, the Western Balkans and the EU: Can three tango?
May 17, 2018
With China pouring loans into the Western Balkans, the EU must step in to ensure this money benefits the region, writes Wawa Wang.
Green dams ‘hit’ West Balkans biodiversity, locals’ water supply
May 1, 2018
Lauded as green and environmentally friendly, small-scale hydropower dams are dotted around the West Balkans. But local communities say the impact is disastrous. Source: Green dams ‘hit’ West Balkans biodiversity, locals’ water supply
Dabrova dolina: Zašto ne graditi čak ni male hidroelektrane u zaštićenim područjima
March 26, 2018
Dabrova Dolina Zašto ne graditi čak ni male hidroelektrane u zaštićenim područjima. Pippa Gallop, Bankwatch Privredna Banka Zagreb (PBZ) je 2015. godine odobrila kredit od milijun eura za izgradnju hidroelektrane na rijeci Mrežnici. Kreditna linija je
Money flows, rivers dry
March 22, 2018
Erste, Sberbank and the EBRD have been fueling the destruction of 27 km of rivers in the region of Josanicka banja, on the borders of the Kopaonik National Park in Serbia. It is a stark warning how the future of the Balkans might look if uncontrolled investment continues.
Financing for hydropower in protected areas of southeast Europe: update
March 16, 2018
Multilateral development banks have supported no fewer than 82 hydropower projects across southeast Europe, including in protected areas. The study finds that the number of hydropower projects in the region that enjoy financial support from multilatera
