IFIs pull out of Turkish coal project – NGO pressure integral
May 14, 2014
Coal power plants are mushrooming all over Turkey, there’s no doubt about that. With the government’s plan to reach 120,000 MW of installed capacity by 2023, double that of today, a 1350 MW power plant in the already heavily industrialised and polluted peninsula of Aliaga in western Turkey could easily have gone unnoticed.
EU Funds to the rescue in Krakow – Local campaign leading the way for Polish communities sick of (and sick from) coal
October 21, 2013
The likely allocation of EU funds is set to bring about a breakthrough success for a popular and dearly needed campaign for better air quality in Krakow, Poland.
The EIB finally limits coal lending
August 1, 2013
For the last couple of years, we have been calling on the European Investment Bank to drop coal lending. Finally, we’re starting to see some results.
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.
Energy efficiency becoming more central to future EU spending in the Czech Republic – thanks to NGO calls
May 21, 2013
Energy efficiency has now become a priority for EU funding in the Czech Republic for the forthcoming 2014-2020 budgetary period.
Constant dripping wears away the stone. Kyrgyz parliament votes to renegotiate Kumtor gold mine contract.
February 21, 2013
Challenging a mining operation that generates about ten percent of GDP in a country and particularly doing so on environmental and social grounds is an intimidating task. But as the example of the Kumtor gold mine in Kyrgyzstan shows, indefatigability and scientific expertise can persuade decision-makers to defend the interests of a country and its people.
Good news: EBRD drops controversial Monsanto project
January 28, 2013
A potential cooperation between the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the agro-corporation Monsanto has thankfully not come to fruition. The case highlights the difficulties for a large development bank to reach farmers on the ground.
Another success against Czech incineration, government in blissful ignorance
August 29, 2012
The putting on hold (for now) of another waste incinerator project confirms a negative assessment of the Czech Republic’s performance in waste management. And still, the Czech government fails to grasp that the only properly sustainable way forward is investment in recycling and waste reduction.
Suspension or no suspension, the EBRD freezes disbursements for the Šoštanj lignite power plant
April 18, 2012
With the decision to freeze the disbursement of a loan for the Šoštanj lignite power plant in Slovenia, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development seemingly reacts to the many controversial points Bankwatch and other organisations have raised about the project.
Khimki Forest activist wins Goldman Environmental Prize
April 16, 2012
One of this year’s winners of the Goldman Environmental Prize is Russian Khimki Forest defender Evgenia Chirikova, but the good news is being overshadowed by continued violence against other Khimki activists.
