Western Balkans: EUR 3.5 billion gas build-out poses economic, energy security risks and threatens green transition
March 30, 2023
Prague, Czech Republic – Plans for EUR 3.5 billion of new gas-fired power plants, pipelines, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in the Western Balkans would force countries to import far more gas than they have in the past, introducing economic and energy security risks into the region’s already challenging energy transition, finds new research from Global Energy Monitor and Bankwatch.
LNG rush threatens Baltic energy transition: why new LNG infrastructure is a false solution for energy security in the Baltics
March 14, 2023
As a result of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the Baltic states and Finland, which had relied on Russia for fossil gas imports, now lack sufficient alternative infrastructure to cover regional demand. The main efforts to diversify gas sources and reduce regi
If you’re in a hole, stop digging: a case study on Hungary’s plans to revisit shale gas and on the environmental, social and health impacts of fracking
February 28, 2023
In 2022, Hungary announced an energy emergency and, to address the crisis, plans to increase domestic fossil gas production. A key part of these plans was to develop an unconventional fossil gas (‘shale gas’) field in Békés county (the Corvinus project
EBRD: Everything is peachy, just trust us!
February 17, 2023
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) appears keen to finance a major new pipeline to import fossil gas from Greece to North Macedonia, which would lock the country into increased fossil gas use for decades. Yet when the rationale for this is questioned, the EBRD fails to provide relevant data to justify its claims.
How many elephants does it take to build a gas pipeline?
January 23, 2023
In October 2022, the EBRD published no fewer than eight environmental and social assessments on the Greece – North Macedonia fossil gas pipeline for public consultation. Thousands of pages analyse every nook and cranny along the planned route, but fail to notice the elephant in the room: the project’s massive greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy crunch underlines the urgency of overhauling Romania’s energy plans
November 3, 2022
As delegates are heading to the annual UN climate conference, rising energy costs expose the precarity of relying on fossil gas. The Romanian government should replace its grand plans for new gas infrastructure projects — which it seeks to finance with EU public money – with an acceleration of the sustainable energy transition.
Environmental groups challenge EU support for 30 fossil gas projects
June 7, 2022
ClientEarth, Friends of the Earth Europe, Food & Water Action Europe and CEE Bankwatch Network are starting legal action to end support to 30 EU-backed proposed gas projects. They say the EU Commission has given these climate-destructive projects VIP status, in contradiction of its legal obligations.
Energy crunch or climate crisis, for CEE policymakers fossil gas is king
April 15, 2022
Amid the possibility of disruptions to Russian fossil gas supply to the EU, CEE governments appear short-sighted on both energy transition and energy security.
New EU subsidies rules too lax to rule out support for damaging energy projects
January 13, 2022
This month, the new State aid Guidelines for climate, environmental protection and energy 2022 enter force. But with a surplus of loose formulations and flexible criteria, only with close public scrutiny can they support sustainable decarbonisation.
Radio silence on gas allegations: European Commission breaks another deadline to respond to Bankwatch’s complaint
October 21, 2021
The European Commission’s Directorate General for Energy is dragging its feet in answering allegations on its role in the selection of priority gas pipelines in the Western Balkans and Caucasus region. The delays threaten to diminish the chances of the Ombudsman’s findings being taken into account while developing new EU energy rules.
