Global South

European Parliament intergroup ITCO condemns new transparency policy of the European Investment Bank

The European Investment Bank's slide towards secrecy, manifest in its newly adopted transparency policy, has been lambasted by the intergroup of the European Parliament responsible for transparency and corruption.

Tags: accountability EFSI maladministration public oversight secrecy transparency EU Global South

Institution: EIB

Theme: Development

EIB's new transparency policy allows for more secrecy

March 11, 2015

Brussels - Yesterday the European Investment Bank (EIB) formally adopted a revised transparency policy including controversial exceptions to the disclosure of internal documents. This watered down transparency policy comes right before the bank will start implementing the € 315 billion Juncker plan and risks undermining the impact of EU recovery efforts.

Institution: EIB

Theme: Development

Tags: secrecy, transparency, EU, Global South

Polish companies lack guidance on social responsibility in the Global South

Private businesses are playing an increasing role in development finance, but their involvement is one of the most controversial issues in the discussion on sustainable development. The Polish government’s support for businesses still lacks clear reference to international standards and guiding principles for operating in the Global South.

Tags: Africa corporate accountability development EYD2015 FDI GoAfrica human rights Poland Global South

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

Long awaited investigation into Glencore for alleged tax dodging shows EU Bank's lack of transparency and vulnerability to abuse

February 5, 2015

Brussels - The European Investment Bank (EIB) is virtually powerless in the face of abuse of its own funds, an internal investigation published last week by the EIB shows. What’s even worse is that the EIB’s new transparency policy - to be adopted in the coming weeks - would formally allow the bank to keep such internal investigations into abuses of its funds secret, hereby undermining public scrutiny of public money.

Institution: EIB

Theme: Social & economic impacts, Development

Tags: Glencore, Mopani, tax evasion, transparency, EU, Global South

Civil society aiming to clamp down on EIB tax haven evasiveness

Bankwatch Mail | February 2, 2015

Pressure is mounting on the European Investment Bank to take swift action that addresses weaknesses in its policy on lending to businesses based in tax havens.

Institution: EIB

Letter to EIB directors: EIB final draft of transparency policy is insufficient

Advocacy letter | January 27, 2015

One week before the European Investment Bank’s board of directors is expected to approve the bank’s new transparency policy, 13 civil society groups warn the EIB's directors that the draft policy amounts to a weakening of the already dismal transparency standards of the EU’s house bank.

Institution: World Bank Group

EIB set to weaken transparency standards

January 27, 2015

Brussels -- One week before the European Investment Bank’s board of directors is expected to approve the bank’s new transparency policy, 13 civil society groups* monitoring the EIB warn that, as it stands, the draft policy amounts to a weakening of the already dismal transparency standards of the EU’s house bank.

Institution: World Bank Group

Theme: Development

Tags: Aarhus convention, financial intermediaries, tax evasion, transparency, EU, Global South

The Great Rush - The European Union's responsibility in natural resources grabbing

Study | October 31, 2014

Land, forests, water and raw materials are valuable resources that increasingly interest the major players of the economy of our planet. This report collects 16 case studies from around the world in order to better understand the impacts of natural resource grabbing on the local communities, clarify the responsibilities of the European Union and, in conclusion, examine actions to be undertaken to invert this phenomenon.

Institution: EBRD, EIB, World Bank Group

Theme: Other harmful projects, Mining

Two great new websites on all things coal

As anti-coal movements are gaining momentum around the world, two new websites offer a slew of information about the dirtiest of fossil fuels and the campaigns against it. They also offer a stark reminder that despite progress in the last years coal is far from dead.

Tags: BankTrack campaign coal commercial banks endcoal.org resources Balkans Central Asia EU Global South

Institution: Chinese investors, Commercial banks, EBRD, EIB, World Bank Group

Theme: Energy & climate

Can the European Investment Bank move ahead of the pack on climate?

The European Investment Bank is gearing up for an increased role in spurring growth in Europe as set out by the new Juncker Commission. Yet as Europe’s 2030 climate targets are being undermined by some countries the bank that wants to be a leader in climate action must keep in mind that we can no longer afford growth without sustainability.

Tags: 2030 targets climate climate action EIB energy Juncker Commission policy EU Global South

Institution: EIB

Theme: Energy & climate