Broken rivers. The impacts of European-financed small hydropower plants on pristine Balkan landscapes
December 19, 2017
Eight hydropower projects in Albania, Croatia and Macedonia financed with European public money have damaged biodiversity and are in urgent need of increased monitoring and restoration measures.
Bern Convention: Macedonian government is urged to halt construction of hydropower plants in national park
December 11, 2017
Plans for 17 hydropower plants throughout Macedonia’s Mavrovo National Park must be immediately suspended, so the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention ruled at its annual meeting last week.
Ecological integrity assessment of four rivers in Macedonia affected by derivation hydropower schemes based on aquatic macroinvertebrates
December 7, 2017
This study provides an ecological integrity assessment of four rivers in Macedonia affected by small hydropower plants which are perceived as low-impact but can have significant detrimental effects on river ecosystems. The selected plants are financed by international development banks such as the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
Six reasons for not financing the Nenskra hydropower project in Georgia
December 5, 2017
This briefing outlines the main issues with the Nenskra hydropower project shortly before both the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank will decide on financing the project.
Nenskra HPP poses possible threat to Georgian biodiversity hot spot
December 4, 2017
In January 2016 the Georgian government decided to exclude from the Bern Convention’s candidate Emerald Site “Svaneti 1” all territories that are part of the valleys of the Nenskra and Nakra rivers which are relevant for the construction of the Nenksra
Déjà vu in biodiversity: public banks pitted against international wildlife convention
November 15, 2017
Europe’s wildlife guardian has sent a warning to Georgia over changes to a protected area in the Caucasus mountains. International lenders are interested in financing hydro developments in the region.
European Commission complicit in EU nature law violations in Bulgaria’s Kresna gorge
October 18, 2017
The government is heading downhill in the Kresna Gorge with an EU funded motorway project. The European Commission watches the tragedy unfold and overlooks persisting procedural and legal flaws.
Bulgaria to carve motorway through nature haven
October 13, 2017
The Bulgarian government has yesterday evening announced it will construct an international motorway partially through EU protected wildlife haven Kresna Gorge, threatening tragedy for one of Europe’s most biodiverse nature sites.
Bulgaria’s Struma motorway becomes test case for European Commission’s commitment to EU nature protection law
September 14, 2017
With crude manipulations, the Bulgarian government is trying to push through a contended motorway route that would damage the country’s biodiversity hotspot in breach of EU law and international conventions. It expects that the European Commission will sit, watch and pay for it.
Bulgarian government wants to limit civil rights for the sake of EU funding
July 24, 2017
With new legislation, Bulgaria’s government is trying to limit inconvenient civil engagement in projects it deems strategic.
