Silesian coal – a quiet exit
November 27, 2017
In Upper Silesia, Poland’s main coal region, it is difficult to find anyone who still believes that coal has a future. The region needs help in dealing with the environmental fallout from decades of a coal-centred economy and a platform to debate and define its destiny.
Civil society joins forces to push Europe beyond coal
November 2, 2017
To combat the worsening impacts of climate change and air pollution, civil society groups across 28 nations are today launching Europe Beyond Coal, a collective campaign to catalyse and hasten the move away from coal and towards clean renewable energy.
Namibian smelter expansion risks deepening environmental and health problems
July 17, 2017
As it nears two years of a Bankwatch visit to the copper smelter in Namibia and the uncovering of an unsafe arsenic disposal site, a planned expansion has revealed so far undisclosed environmental information.
[Campaign update] EU urged to act on Western Balkans smog after alarming pollution levels were found
June 26, 2017
Results of more than half a year of independent air pollution monitoring in the Balkans have been launched today. During a conference at the European Parliament today, MEPs, European Commission and Energy Community representatives, NGOs and citizens groups called for urgent action on air pollution in the Western Balkans.
Western Balkans holds breath for better air quality
June 26, 2017
In the Western Balkans, air pollution can be a fatal problem, made worse by some of those countries’ energy policies. Ioana Ciuta sheds light on the region’s developing crisis, which is claiming lives at an alarming rate.
Independent monitoring of air pollution calls for urgent action in the Balkans
June 26, 2017
Independent dust monitoring in Balkan countries has found worrying levels of particulate matter, dust so small it enters deep into our lungs and blood streams causing irreversible damage and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
The worst was yet to come – ludicrous air pollution in Romanian village
June 8, 2017
Levels of particulate matter (fine dust) in Rosia de Jiu, Romania were up to 20 times above the limit suggested by the World Health Organisation, show the results of our independent monitoring.
Comments on Environmental Impact Assessment procedure for the Tsumeb smelter in Namibia
May 29, 2017
The dirty secret in Sofia’s backyard – the coal dust that only comes at night
May 10, 2017
Brussels may fine Bulgaria for its excessive air pollution. But living in Pernik, the most polluted town in Europe, remains a hazard to peoples’ health as the results of Bankwatch’s independent dust monitoring show.
Planned power plants in the Balkans need review as EU adopts tougher pollution standards
April 28, 2017
The European Union has today approved an updated set of binding standards for power plants, which include new, stricter pollution limits. In the Western Balkans, planned new coal capacities are most likely to be affected by the updated regulations.
