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.
The European Parliament at risk of losing sight of climate crisis by getting ready to support new fossil gas projects
September 10, 2021
10th September 2021, Brussels – A majority in the European Parliament, including the Socialist and Democrats (S&D), look set to vote to lock in upwards of 213 million tonnes of carbon from fossil gas, as part of the revision of the EU’s key energy infrastructure law, the TEN-E Regulation.
Romania’s recovery and resilience plan: Investments and reforms conflicting with the decarbonisation process of the energy sector
August 8, 2021
As the European Commission is currently reviewing the Romanian Recovery and Resilience Plan, there is a risk that billions of euros in public money might end up supporting the fossil fuels industry. This briefing provides an analysis of the recovery pl
Civil society wishes on the EBRD’s 30th birthday: shut the fossil fuels party
June 29, 2021
People around the world are already feeling the brunt of the climate crisis on an almost daily basis. Most governments accept we are in the midst of a global climate crisis, including those controlling the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). And yet, Bankwatch’s recent analysis shows that during 2019-2020, the EBRD has awarded the fossil fuels industry more than USD 2 million every day on average. Two million dollars. Every single day.
It is time for EBRD to become the lighthouse for fossil-free development banks
June 24, 2021
On the occasion of its 30th anniversary, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has the opportunity to help avert climate breakdown by putting itself at the heart of the global transition to a carbon-free economy. This joint state
