EU

Brussels – 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, according to a new NGO study “Pipe Dreams” published today.

Brussels – Environmental NGOs call on President Juncker, the European Commission and the European Investment Bank to consider for financing from the 315 billion growth package only projects which are sustainable and in line with EU goals and only after proper public consultation with potentially affected communities.

The 10 leading environmental NGOs in Europe appeal to Vice President Timmermans not to sink the air and waste packages: “Polluton kills 58,000 persons every year. Are they not European citizens? Shouldn’t the Commission protect their interest too? ”

Brussels, December 11 – Central and Eastern European countries are planning to use unacceptable amounts of their €350 billion allocation from the EU budget on dirty energy projects, polluting forms of transport and incinerators, according to a comprehensive analysis of draft government spending plans published today by CEE Bankwatch Network and Friends of the Earth Europe.

Brussels – A list of projects member states want to see financed from the Juncker investment package has been made public in expectation of tomorrow’s summit where finance ministers will discuss the package. Coal, nuclear and incinerators are among the various countries’ priorities, which fail to add up to the long-term strategic plan to stimulate growth and sustainability in Europe that Juncker promised.