Comments on the EBRD’s draft Extractive Mining Industries Strategy for 2018-2022
November 20, 2017
Bankwatch’s comments focus on the following areas: Sustainability and the Circular Economy, Transparency Standards, Human Rights, Coal Mining and Climate, Diversification, Resilience and Integration. See also our comments on Thermal and coking coal in
Major European loan to controversial Azerbaijani gas pipeline risks fuelling corruption, human rights abuse and climate change
October 18, 2017
A USD 500 million loan approved today by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the construction of the Trans Anatolian Pipeline is set to benefit, among others, state-owned companies in Azerbaijan and Turkey.
MHP: ‘Business as usual’ while communities suffer
September 29, 2017
The massive loans by public banks for Ukraine’s monopolist poultry producer MHP have not brought the company’s performance and culture in line with the relevant EU and EBRD standards. Rural communities say that if it continues with ‘business as usual’, they face more violence and suppression.
Human rights concerns over EIB loan to TANAP
September 12, 2017
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is currently considering financing the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), which will run through Turkey transporting natural gas extracted in Azerbaijan. A group of 24 NGOs are writing to express our concer
ARCHIVED: Southern Gas Corridor
June 30, 2017
This system of mega-pipelines meant to bring gas from Azerbaijan to Europe, is unnecessary for Europe’s declining gas demand. But the billions in public investments will boost Azerbaijan’s dictatorial regime and cause upheaval for transit communities in Turkey, Greece, Albania and Italy.
If the EBRD stands for democracy it should not support TAP – Italian community addresses bank’s directors
May 11, 2017
At a meeting with the directors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Bankwatch campaigners read a statement from Italian communities opposing the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline, the last leg of the Southern Gas Corridor, a 3500 km pipeline
Beatings, framings and industrial chicken farms: a human rights briefing on MHP projects and international public finance in Ukraine
May 5, 2017
Ukrainian company Myronivsky Hliboproduct PJSC (MHP) is a long-term client of both the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation. MHP development has faced local opposition in a number
Why the EBRD should not finance the Southern Gas Corridor
May 5, 2017
While the EBRD is currently considering loans for the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and TANAP, both part of the Southern Gas Corridor, the bank should asses the reputational and financial risks of involvement in the project.
Letter to the EBRD regarding the bank’s considerations to continue operations in Uzbekistan
April 11, 2017
The EBRD replied to the letter on April 19. Download their response as pdf >>
Azerbaijan suspended from the EITI – a Bankwatch and Counter Balance statement
March 10, 2017
A decision to suspend Azerbaijan’s membership in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) adopted yesterday (Mar 9) is the latest reminder for international financial institutes to avoid supporting the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) project.