carbon emissions

Western Balkans are massively expanding coal power - but the new plants may have to be closed again soon

At least 9 new lignite power plants are being planned in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia, but according to our new report their feasibility studies do not take into account the effect of CO2 prices. As a result, when these countries join the EU, the plants will not be competitive anymore and will need to be closed down – just like the many coal power plants in Western Europe that are now being shut. The taxpayers in the Western Balkans will end up footing the bill.

Tags: carbon emissions coal Energy Community ETS stranded assets Balkans EU neighbourhood

Institution: Chinese investors, Export credit agencies

Theme: Energy & climate, Social & economic impacts

Carbon costs for planned coal power plants in the Western Balkans and the risk of stranded assets

Briefing | March 29, 2017

This briefing analyses ten coal-fired power plant projects across the Western Balkans and finds that, once the cost of carbon emissions allowances are factored in, they could become a serious liability for both the companies involved and the public.

Institution: Chinese investors, Export credit agencies

Theme: Energy & climate, Social & economic impacts

Overlooked carbon costs could turn Western Balkans' new coal power plants into white elephants - analysis

March 29, 2017

A new Bankwatch analysis examining ten coal-fired power plant projects across the Western Balkans finds that, once the cost of carbon emissions allowances are factored in, they could become a serious liability for both the companies involved and the public. Moreover, only a few feasibility assessments for coal power plants in the region are publicly available, and most of those have failed to properly take carbon costs into account, the briefing authors note.

Institution: Chinese investors, Export credit agencies

Theme: Energy & climate, Social & economic impacts

Tags: carbon emissions, CO2 allowances, coal, emission limits, Energy Community, state aid, stranded assets, Balkans, EU neighbourhood

Reviewing the European Investment Bank's carbon footprint methodology

Briefing | December 8, 2016

The briefing makes recommendations for the European Investment Bank's methodology for calculating greenhouse gas emissions, which is currently under review. It also provides case studies that illustrate the shortcomings of the bank's current approach - most notably its strategy towards supporting gas projects.

Institution: EIB

Theme: Energy & climate

Romania Needs to Adapt Its Strategy to Decoupling of GDP and Energy Consumption

July 8, 2016

Source: Tanja Srnovršnik Volarič , Energetika-Net

Theme: Energy & climate

Tags: carbon emissions, decoupling, energy consumption, Romania, CEE

Czech government pushes people to edge in new coal mine expansion

October 19, 2015

Prague - In a landmark decision today, the Czech Republic reversed a quarter century-old ban that prohibited the expansion of surface mining in an area of Northern Bohemia, allowing excavation in close vicinity of homes of more than 120 000 people.

Theme: Energy & climate, Social & economic impacts, Mining

Tags: carbon emissions, Czech Republic, displacement, lignite, mining, pollution, CEE, EU

Public action: Mourning the demise of Czech responsibility for climate action

Video and pictures from a public action agains lifting the coal mining limits in the Czech Republic that so far have saved towns from being resettled.

Tags: carbon emissions Centre for Transport and Energy climate coal displacement highlight Hnuti Duha lignite mining pollution public action resettlement CEE EU

Theme: Energy & climate, Development

Energy Community countries so rich they can afford to eschew climate action?

Planned new coal capacities will result in high additional costs for Energy Community countries. Transforming their energy sectors into efficient, sustainable renewables-based systems is not only possible but a cost-effective way forward.

Tags: carbon emissions CO2 coal costs economics Energy Community health Balkans EU neighbourhood