Sustainability criteria for hydropower development
August 28, 2013
Any hydropower project no matter the size can cause negative consequences to water basins, associated ecosystems, to climate and affected communities living along the water basins. A large number of individually acceptable projects can also lead to unacceptably high negative cumulative effects. This briefing lays out sustainability criteria that help taking these concerns into account in the strategic planning and implementation of hydropower developments.
Comments on the EBRD’s draft country strategy for Georgia
July 25, 2013
A tale of neglect: Energy finance figures from the Western Balkans
June 25, 2013
The neglect by international financial institutions of the Western Balkans sustainable energy potential will cost the region’s public heavily for years to come. Figures collected in a new study illustrate how the different international lenders perform in the region.
Victory for civil society as EBRD cancels loan for controversial Croatian dam
May 28, 2013
Today we’re relieved in Zagreb as one energy project that could have had a destructive impact on Croatia’s future has lost its financing and thus its chances of going ahead are drastically reduced: I’m speaking about the infamous Ombla dam, a project for an underground hydropower plant that would have practically destroyed a protected area close to Dubrovnik.
[Campaign update] EBRD still not withdrawing from damaging Ombla hydropower project, NGOs call on bank to heed new evidence
May 13, 2013
Despite having a slew of good reasons not to support the damaging Ombla hydropower plan in Croatia, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development still didn’t confirm during recent meetings that it would withdraw from the project.
Guest post: New studies fail to prove that the Ombla hydroplant is fit for EBRD financing
April 22, 2013
The EBRD’s involvement in the Ombla hydropower plant project has from the start been a story of insufficient scrutiny and cutting procedural corners, followed by an attempt to patch things up by commissioning a belated nature impact assessment. The assessment highlights the Ombla area’s natural importance and captures some of the harm that would be done by the dam, but fails to draw the right conclusions, says Jagoda Munic, President of Friends of the Earth International and Biodiversity Programme Co-ordinator at Zelena akcija/Friends of the Earth Croatia.
Croatia’s Ombla HPP project comes under scrutiny after NGO complaint – EBRD
August 1, 2012
ZAGREB (Croatia), August 1 (SeeNews) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development said on Wednesday certain aspects of Croatia’s Ombla hydro power plant project, which EBRD is set to co-fund, are under scrutiny following a complaint from a non-governmental organisation.
Europe’s unequal partnerships – a sad tale about energy
June 25, 2012
A too strong focus on energy security is steering Europe’s engagement with neighbouring states in a troublesome direction for the partnering countries.
3:1 against Ombla, Croatia must stop gung-ho investment
June 20, 2012
3 out of 4 experts gave a negative opinion on the environmental study of the Ombla hydropower plant. Now the Croatian government must heed their warnings and stop the project.
Hydro power plants endanger the Balkan lynx in Macedonia
June 5, 2012
A fact-finding mission to Macedonia has confirmed our concerns that two planned hydro power plants are set to destroy important natural habitats in the Mavrovo National Park.
