Central Asia

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

Institution: EBRD

Theme: Energy & climate

Thousands remind the EBRD that coal is not an option

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development received a little surprise visit this week from 16 000 voices against coal.

Tags: coal consultations EBRD energypolicy fossil fuels petition public action shale gas Balkans Baltics Caucasus CEE Central Asia EU neighbourhood Southern Mediterranean

Institution: EBRD

Theme: Energy & climate

Pressure builds on EBRD to quit coal lending

September 4, 2013

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development lags behind other major international financial institutions that are moving away from supporting dirty energy projects.

Institution: EBRD

Theme: Energy & climate

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

Response: In Kyrgyzstan, a Kumtor Shakedown or Setup?

September 2, 2013

Source: David Trilling/ CEE Bankwatch, Transitions online

A new video appears to show that extortion has been behind some anti-mining protests.

Institution: EBRD

Tags: Central Asia

Tell the EBRD to divest from fossil fuels!

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Institution: EBRD

Theme: Energy & climate

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

Kyrgyzstan and the conflict over natural resources

Study | July 29, 2013

Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country rich in water and natural resources. The country is one of 2000 priority ecological regions of the planet with unique ecosystems and biodiversity and is considered the “water tower” of Central Asia due to its Tien Shan glacier reserves. The management of Kyrgyzstan’s natural resources is crucial to the future sustainability of the country. However in a region where poverty is widespread, the primacy placed on economic development seriously threats sustainability.

Institution: EBRD

Theme: Other harmful projects, Mining

Policy briefing: New draft energy (read oil, gas and coal) strategy at the EBRD

Briefing | July 24, 2013

The EBRD’s draft energy strategy doesn’t have a climate target. It recognizes the urgency of climate action and the fact that the energy sector is the largest greenhouse gas emitter and places energy efficiency and renewable energy at the core of the transition to low carbon economies. The low carbon transition appears to be a central theme of the draft strategy but when it comes to the fossil fuels sector, it only translates into a potential slight reduction in coal investments.

Institution: EBRD

Theme: Energy & climate

The EBRD plans more climate damaging loans in new energy policy draft

July 22, 2013

London – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) published July 19 a draft (pdf) of its future energy policy. According to CEE Bankwatch Network, although the bank correctly depicts the urgency of transitioning towards low-carbon economies, it falls short when it comes to commitments: lending to fossil fuels is envisaged to continue, including for coal, the dirties of fossil fuels; and promises to support renewables and energy efficiency, though welcome, are not accompanied by persuasive benchmarks and timelines.

Institution: EBRD

Theme: Energy & climate

Tags: coal, energy, energypolicy, fossil fuels, Balkans, Caucasus, CEE, Central Asia, EU, EU neighbourhood, Southern Mediterranean

Complaint to EBRD highlights negative impact of mining on Mongolian herders

July 4, 2013

Ulaanbaatar, 04 July 2013. A group of Mongolian herders submitted today an official complaint to the Project Complaints Mechanism of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), hoping to initiate a process of evaluation of the adverse impacts on their health and livelihoods of two mining projects financed by the international public lender.

Institution: EBRD

Theme: Social & economic impacts, Other harmful projects, Mining

Tags: mining, Central Asia

The G8, tax havens and the need to clean up our own "bank yard"

While the G8 leaders claim they are at war with tax avoidance, their own bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is involved in deals linked to offshore financial centres.

Tags: development EBRD G8 policy private equity summit tax havens Caucasus Central Asia EU EU neighbourhood Southern Mediterranean