Leading green NGOs in Europe tell the EBRD to step out of coal
September 30, 2013
Brussels – As the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development today closes the public consultation period on its upcoming energy strategy, a coalition of the ten largest environmental organisations working at the European level, the Green 10, is calling on the bank to phase out fossil fuels from its future lending, beginning with coal, and to rule out lending to risky energy sources, such as nuclear and shale gas.
Comments on EBRD’s draft energy strategy
September 24, 2013
Bankwatch’s detailed comments on the draft energy sector strategy of the European Bank for Reconstruction suggests the introduction of an emissions performance standard at the level of 350 gCO2/kWh for the bank’s fossil fuel lending. It also contains comments on other energy sources, carbon markets, energy systems, carbon capture and storage, nuclear safety, and in an additional annex it lays out sustainability criteria for hydropower development.
Summary of Bankwatch’s comments on EBRD’s draft energy strategy
September 24, 2013
In our full comments on the draft energy sector strategy of the European Bank for Reconstruction Bankwatch suggests the introduction of an emissions performance standard at the level of 350 gCO2/kWh for the bank’s fossil fuel lending. This document summarises the most important points made and a collection of most recommendations.
A message to EBRD President Suma Chakrabarti
September 13, 2013
In an open letter sent today to the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development 54 civil society organisations follow up from last weeks consultations on the bank’s new energy sector strategy and ask the president to ensure that the EBRD addresses the challenges of climate change with the urgency it deserves. We reproduce the letter’s content here.
Energy consultations reveal lack of strategic thinking at the EBRD
September 6, 2013
With another public action, colleagues in Moscow are today bringing to a close a week that has seen the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development having to listen to a lot of uncomfortable truths.
Nordic countries ‘no’ to coal is a glimmer of hope for EBRD energy lending
September 5, 2013
The global campaign to make the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development restrict its coal lending may have found new allies in Nordic countries after their declaration yesterday to seize overseas coal investments.
Thousands remind the EBRD that coal is not an option
September 4, 2013
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development received a little surprise visit this week from 16 000 voices against coal.
Reality, climate change and global attention is catching up on the ‘sustainable energy’ bank (EBRD)
August 28, 2013
As part of the consultation on its energy sector strategy the EBRD next week hosts public meetings in Istanbul, Belgrade and Moscow to discuss with civil society from its countries of operation. While public pressure is increasing to end coal financing it is important to note that restrictions to carbon-intensive investments must be strictly and clearly defined in the strategy document if they are to improve the EBRD’s climate impact. An article from Bankwatch’s 2012 annual report (pdf) illustrates how a too flexible approach allows the EBRD to greenwash also very dirty investments.
Groups petition Polish government to drop permit for Europe’s largest planned coal plant
August 26, 2013
On Monday Polish NGOs Client Earth, Workshop for all Beings, Greenpeace, WWF and local community group Eco-Kociewie petitioned the General Director of Environmental Protection to cancel the environmental impact assessment permit for the Polnoc Power Plant in northern Poland.
All eyes on the EBRD – will it go coal free?
August 14, 2013
In case you missed it, the tectonic plates just shifted in the world of international financial institution (IFI) energy lending.