Davor Pehchevski

Black wool over the EBRD’s eyes

May 13, 2025 | Read more

Based on the North Macedonian government and state-owned energy utility AD ESM’s supposed commitment to a green energy transformation and just transition, the EBRD is supporting ESM with liquidity loans and technical assistance. However, in a not unexpected turn of events, the company is moving forward with the opening of a new lignite mine.

280 million euros of North Macedonia’s public money going up in smoke

January 30, 2023 | Read more

North Macedonia’s government, through the state-owned energy production company AD ESM, has spent hundreds of millions of euros on imports of coal, heavy oil and fossil gas to keep the country’s fragile energy system going during the energy crisis. The result is a significant increase in emissions of air pollutants and serious damage to the environment and public health.

How many elephants does it take to build a gas pipeline?

January 23, 2023 | Read more

In October 2022, the EBRD published no fewer than eight environmental and social assessments on the Greece – North Macedonia fossil gas pipeline for public consultation. Thousands of pages analyse every nook and cranny along the planned route, but fail to notice the elephant in the room: the project’s massive greenhouse gas emissions.

North Macedonia’s Go-Slow on Greener Energy is Costing Lives

April 6, 2022 | Read more

The REK Bitola mining and energy complex in North Macedonia is one of Europe’s most lethal polluters – but, despite local protests, and clear evidence of its harm, the authorities have yet to act.

Implementation of the Air Quality Directive by Western Balkan countries – 2022 update

February 14, 2022 | Read more

This briefing reviews the progress of five Western Balkan countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) on the transposition and implementation of the EU’s Air Quality Directive