The art of sustainability is not to finance coal
October 20, 2011
Upset by Slovenia’s plans to build a huge lignite power plant unit in Sostanj, Slovenian artist Marko Kumer-Murc and Slovene environmentalists from Focus brought their protest to Brussels. Our media officer was on sight and brought back a few images.
A historic event, the European Investment Bank opens its doors (a bit)
October 12, 2011
Ahead of a meeting next week that offers a unique chance for discussion with the EIB’s Board of Directors, Bankwatch’s EIB team leader Anna Roggenbuck gives an overview over some of the issues to which she’d like to hear some comments by the bank’s enigmatic leadership.
Potocnik says green economy, European public banks say black coal
October 3, 2011
The European Union’s internal and external ambitions for green economies are being countered by the activities of European international financial institutions. EU Commissioner for the Environment Potocnik can see that also in his home country Slovenia.
Greenwashing nuclear expansion in Ukraine, with EU support
September 13, 2011
Upgrades of hydro power plants in Ukraine are a prime example for greenwashing nuclear expansion with renewable energy. Alena Miskun from Bankwatch member group National Environmental Centre of Ukraine gives details on the thickening plot that European public banks are involved in.
Contemplating secure and insecure energy supply
September 7, 2011
The EU external energy policy Communication published today by the European Commission continues the decade-long approach of the EU to ensure the unhindered flow of fossil fuel energy supplies to Europe without a real recognition of the problems this drive creates both inside and outside of the EU.
Why not do the obvious and use the EU bugdet for energy efficiency?
August 4, 2011
As discussions intensify about the future European Union budget, Bankwatch’s Czech energy campaigner outlines how spending EU money on energy efficiency promises better economic, social and environmental returns than the prevailing consensus about big infrastructure projects.
EBRD: Don’t open pandora’s box with lignite open cast mine in Serbia
July 4, 2011
Before making any decisions on the planned EUR 80 million loan for the Kolubara lignite mine project in Serbia, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s Board of Directors should take note of the controversy the bank will get involved in. Not only are the climate impacts of lignite well known, but the project is also indirectly connected to the resettlement of nearby residents.
Sounding the potential of a European budget “for the people and the climate”
June 29, 2010
After six months of preparations and more than 50 interviews with decision makers and experts, Bankwatch has met with representatives from the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to discuss how the next EU budget for the 2014-2020 period can effectively support a low-carbon economy with benefits for people and nature.
Change the lending, not the climate
December 2, 2009
Bankwatch’s new report on the EIB’s fossil-heavy energy lending between 2002 and 2008 comes one week before the crunch global climate talks in Copenhagen, in preparation for which the international financial institutions have been flexing their rhetorical muscles.
