Caucasus

[Campaign update] Growing solidarity with local communities in Georgia puts Khudoni dam in spotlight

Protests against the Khudoni mega-dam in Georgia are spreading beyond the local communities affected by the dam. [*]

Tags: dams Georgia hydropower Kaladze Khudoni land rights local communities protest resettlement Caucasus

Institution: World Bank Group

Theme: Energy & climate, Social & economic impacts

Leading green NGOs in Europe tell the EBRD to step out of coal

September 30, 2013

Brussels – As the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development today closes the public consultation period on its upcoming energy strategy, a coalition of the ten largest environmental organisations working at the European level, the Green 10, is calling on the bank to phase out fossil fuels from its future lending, beginning with coal, and to rule out lending to risky energy sources, such as nuclear and shale gas.

Institution: EBRD

Theme: Energy & climate

Tags: EBRD, energypolicy, Balkans, Baltics, Caucasus, CEE, Central Asia, EU neighbourhood, Southern Mediterranean

In Georgia, dam builders do not welcome peoples' concerns

Statements and behaviour of Georgian authorities show their determination to go ahead with the construction of the huge Khudoni dam that would displace more than 2000 indigenious Svans, regardless of public protests. At the same time the project company's set-up raises questions about ulterior motives.

Tags: Georgia hydropower Khudoni local communities participation public hearing revolving door Svaneti tax havens Caucasus

Institution: World Bank Group

Theme: Energy & climate, Social & economic impacts

Comments on EBRD's draft energy strategy

Policy comments | September 24, 2013

Bankwatch's detailed comments on the draft energy sector strategy of the European Bank for Reconstruction suggests the introduction of an emissions performance standard at the level of 350 gCO2/kWh for the bank's fossil fuel lending. It also contains comments on other energy sources, carbon markets, energy systems, carbon capture and storage, nuclear safety, and in an additional annex it lays out sustainability criteria for hydropower development.

Institution: EBRD

Theme: Energy & climate

Summary of Bankwatch's comments on EBRD's draft energy strategy

Briefing | September 24, 2013

In our full comments on the draft energy sector strategy of the European Bank for Reconstruction Bankwatch suggests the introduction of an emissions performance standard at the level of 350 gCO2/kWh for the bank's fossil fuel lending. This document summarises the most important points made and a collection of most recommendations.

Institution: EBRD

Theme: Energy & climate

In Georgia, locals voice opposition to mega dam during consultations despite intimidation

September 17, 2013

Khaishi – A public debate over the fate of the Khudoni dam in western Georgia turned tense today as locals opposing the project were intimidated by authorities and the project developer, Transelectrica LTD. Despite the threats, villagers in Khaishi turned out in significant numbers to the consultation to express their opposition to the project.

Institution: World Bank Group

Theme: Energy & climate, Social & economic impacts

Tags: Georgia, hydropower, indigenous, Svans, Caucasus

A message to EBRD President Suma Chakrabarti

In an open letter sent today to the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development 54 civil society organisations follow up from last weeks consultations on the bank's new energy sector strategy and ask the president to ensure that the EBRD addresses the challenges of climate change with the urgency it deserves. We reproduce the letter's content here.

Tags: consultation EBRD energy energypolicy participation Suma Chakrabarti Balkans Baltics Caucasus CEE Central Asia EU neighbourhood Southern Mediterranean

Institution: EBRD

Theme: Energy & climate

Energy consultations reveal lack of strategic thinking at the EBRD

With another public action, colleagues in Moscow are today bringing to a close a week that has seen the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development having to listen to a lot of uncomfortable truths.

Tags: coal EBRD energypolicy fossil fuels health participation petition public action stranded assets Baltics Caucasus CEE Central Asia EU neighbourhood Southern Mediterranean

Institution: EBRD

Theme: Energy & climate

Nordic countries 'no' to coal is a glimmer of hope for EBRD energy lending

The global campaign to make the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development restrict its coal lending may have found new allies in Nordic countries after their declaration yesterday to seize overseas coal investments.

Tags: climate coal declaration EBRD energypolicy fossil fuels green investments Balkans Baltics Caucasus CEE Central Asia EU neighbourhood Southern Mediterranean