Question marks abound over EU-Azerbaijan gas tango
February 23, 2017
Ministers, ambassadors and envoys from at least 15 countries, including Maroš Šefčovič, the European Commission’s Vice President for the Energy Union, are gathered today in the Azerbaijani capital to discuss the progress on the Southern Gas Corridor, t
Southern Gas Corridor under more pressure
September 20, 2016
Russia’s plan to revive the Turkish Stream pipeline and the Interconnector Turkey-Greece-Italy (ITGI) project could put future projects along the proposed Southern Gas Corridor under even more pressure. Gulmira Rzayeva, senior research fellow at Azerba
Russian environmental organisation forced to choose between ‘foreign agent’ label and shutdown
September 11, 2015
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia – Sakhalin Environment Watch (SEW), Bankwatch member group in Russia’s far east, has been ordered by the Russian authorities to register itself as a ‘foreign agent’. The group rejects claims it is engaged in any political activity, and intends to contest the decision. If the decision is not repealed, the group will consider shutting down.
Latvia and the Energy Union: biomass is a blind spot
August 13, 2015
To make sure Latvia’s energy path does not lead into a dead end for sustainability, the Energy Union should facilitate alternatives to unsustainable fuelwood.
Pipe dreams – why public subsidies for Lukoil in Azerbaijan will not reduce EU dependency on Russia
January 21, 2015
The study explains why the Southern Gas Corridor, the EU’s new pet energy project, is not only unnecessary in light of gas demand projections, but also seems likely to fall short on the much flaunted goal of bringing energy independence from Russia.
Letters to EBRD regarding loan for Naftogaz pipeline
December 9, 2014
The letters were sent shortly before the EBRD’s board of directors are to approve a loan for the Naftogaz Emergency Pipeline Upgrade and Modernisation project. Since the project has not yet passed through all environmental and social procedures, Bankwatch asked the EBRD’s president and its board in separate letters to postpone the board decision. Letter to the EBRD president >> (pdf)
EBRD sticks to business as usual despite Ukraine facing war and severe shortages
November 21, 2014
With Ukraine’s ongoing fight for sovereignty and integrity emphasising once more the country’s energy vulnerability in front of Russia, the need to radically reform the Ukrainian energy sector became crucial for the survival of the country. And yet, moves in this direction are way too slow. Despite positive rhetoric on the need to prioritise energy efficiency, some European donors such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development continue with business as usual, spending huge resources on large infrastructure projects that do not address the country’s immediate need for improved energy security.
On Evgeny Vitishko, multilateral development banks and the criminalisation of public criticism
September 26, 2014
The recent rejection to release Evgeny Vitishko’s, an imprisoned environmental activist in Russia, illustrates the backlash against fundamental rights and freedoms in some countries. Multilateral development banks need to take notice of this trend and be more wary of the risk that their lending may strengthen authoritarian regimes.
Statement on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and threat of war
April 29, 2014
CEE Bankwatch Network strongly condemns the Russian government’s military invasion and annexation of Crimea and Sebastopol. We hope that in the end the voices of those who have been demonstrating for peace in Moscow and elsewhere, in both Russia and Ukraine, will prevail. The European Union has already responded to the Crimean declaration of independence by announcing travel bans and bank account freezes for 48 individuals from Russia and Ukraine linked to the Crimean breakaway.
Sochi 2014 – Independent Environmental report
March 18, 2014
This report, prepared by Environmental Watch on North Caucasus (EWNC) gives account of the extensive environmental damage resulting from the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014.
