All we want for Christmas is to be able to breathe …
December 23, 2014
As you’re gearing up for the festive season, spare a thought for the long-suffering folks in Pljevlja, Montenegro, and Zenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina, who are fighting against serious pollution of air soil, and water.
Dust, displacement, intimidation – Mongolian herders are under pressure by iron ore mine
December 9, 2014
Herders in the Mongolian Gobi Altai mountains are facing pollution and displacement by an iron ore mine. The mining company Altain Khuder responds to criticism with intimidation. The financier, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, is not doing enough to protect herders’ rights.
[Campaign update] Rovinari power plant put on ice
October 15, 2014
A silver lining has appeared for the people of Rovinari with the set-up of a joint venture for a new lignite-fired power plant being put on hold. The town of Rovinari already suffers under heavy pollution from the existing plant.
The energy sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina
September 30, 2014
Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently a net exporter of electricity. More than half of its electricity generation capacity is made up of hydropower, while the remainder is made up of four lignite power plants.
Will Ukrainian coal hijack today’s Energy Community meeting?
September 23, 2014
Currently presiding over the EU-backed Energy Community’s Minsterial Council, Ukraine will likely try to dilute environmental regulations in the Treaty. But the country’s ageing coal-fired power plants are troubled by inefficiency and pollution and in dire need of environmental improvements.
Cross-border coal pollution for the first time under scrutiny by UN body
September 22, 2014
A new unit at the Kostolac coal-fired power plant in Serbia is the first coal project to be considered by the Espoo Convention Implementation Committee for transboundary impacts.
The future is ash-grey for people in Turceni, Romania
September 9, 2014
People in the Submaidane-Turceni area in Romania live their lives in coal ash that still hasn’t been cleaned up after an accident that took place in December 2013 at an ash deposit belonging to the Oltenia Energy Complex in Turceni.
Expert proposals for Energy Community improvements are a promising step forward
June 18, 2014
South and eastern European member countries of the Energy Community may soon have to be much more ambitious about environmental standards in the energy sector. This is because the Energy Community, the body that aims to create a common energy market between the EU and some of its neighbours, may be about to introduce more of the EU environmental acquis into its Treaty.
Big plans for a small country – Montenegro’s draft energy strategy
June 12, 2014
Montenegro’s new draft energy strategy needs cutting down to size if environmental and economic damage is to be avoided.
When water mixes with coal – The impacts of the floods in Serbia on people living next to lignite mines
May 30, 2014
People living next to the Kolubara lignite mine in Serbia have suffered more under the floods due to the vicinity of the mine. Their demands for resettlement and compensation have now become more urgent than ever.
