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First major project in Egypt reveals transparency oversight by European public banks
November 13, 2012
 | by Mika Minio–Paluello

A $3.7 billion PPP oil refinery expansion in Cairo is accompanied by contradictory project documents, making a mockery of claims by the public banks involved to be committed to “good governance” or democracy. Despite being presented as merely translations of one document, the Arabic and English “versions” are entirely different – with the Arabic markedly cursory and superficial.

Arab Sping, Cairo, local impacts, oil, pollution, PPP, transparency, water
EBRD, EIB
Energy & climate, Social & economic impacts
Public-private partnerships in the EU at lowest level for ten years, but more blood transfusions from project bonds coming soon
November 7, 2012
 | by Pippa Gallop

Although public-private partnerships appear to become increasingly untenable for public authorities, they are further being promoted by the European Commission and the European Investment Bank. An official in-depth evaluation of this financing model, however, is still nowhere to be seen.

crisis, PFI, PPP, public debt, public infrastructure
EIB
Social & economic impacts
That's what they call sustainable. The EBRD's 10 billion for sustainable energy
November 6, 2012
 | by Ionut Apostol

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development boasts of having invested 10 billion euros in sustainable energy since 2006. A closer look reveals that although the bank's efforts deserve recognition, several investments make a mockery of 'sustainability'.

EBRD, energy efficiency, lending figures, renewable energy, SEI
EBRD
Energy & climate, Resource efficiency
Crunch time at Sostanj
November 5, 2012
 | by Pippa Gallop

November is shaping up to be crunch time for a new 600 MW lignite plant planned to be built at Sostanj in Slovenia. If the Slovenian government doesn’t manage to offer a state guarantee for loans from European public banks that should cover half the construction costs by the end of this month, the project could fail. At Bankwatch, we’re preparing our popcorn for the latest Sostanj thriller, on show across Europe this month.

corruption, fossil fuels, OLAF, Slovenia, Sostanj, TES6
EBRD, EIB
Energy & climate
'Comments noted', business as usual continues. The marginal public influence on the EBRD's new mining policy
November 2, 2012
 | by Vladlena Martsynkevych

After long delays and more than 3 years of preparation the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has finally completed and published a policy for its operations in the mining sector. Both the consultation process and the final outcome must leave “the consulted stakeholders” disappointed.

coal, minerals, mining, policy, resource curse, transparency
EBRD
Social & economic impacts, Other harmful projects, Mining
EU budget update: Are Europe's leaders serious about taking the green shirt off all of our backs?
October 23, 2012
 | by Greig Aitken

With a key EU summit one month away, how do things currently stand with the tortuous, plate tectonic-esque EU budget 2014-2020 negotiations?

Brussels, Cameron, EU, EU budget, Merkel, MFF, summit
EU Funds
Energy & climate, Transport, Resource efficiency
How Ukraine can survive without nuclear - renewable energy potentials reviewed
October 22, 2012
 | by Iryna Holovko

A closer look at Ukraine's energy strategy reveals fundamental flaws in the government's plans to continue using old nuclear reactors and its rhetoric of nuclear being the only possible alternative.

energy efficiency, nuclear, renewable energy, Ukraine
EBRD
Energy & climate, Resource efficiency
When loyalty blocks climate action - Polish parliament pledges allegiance
October 17, 2012
 | by Kuba Gogolewski

The Polish government has a sad reputation for adopting unilateral, even obscure approaches when it comes to our country’s energy policy. What now came as a very disappointing surprise is that the Polish parliament joined the opportunistic chorus of denial - one that considers alternatives to the continued reliance on fossil fuels as a threat to Poland’s security.

climate action, coal, fossil fuels, Poland, roadmap, shale gas
EU Funds
Energy & climate
Video: Notes for a better Europe
October 17, 2012
 | by Markus Trilling


European spending is often considered unnecessary, beaurocratic, and even damaging. We're the last ones to deny that in Bankwatch.

Yet, we are convinced that EU spending - if it is done right - can truly serve the public interest by creating jobs, reducing energy bills, minimizing air pollution, etc.

Our new video highlights how some European projects are showing the way to a greener Europe and a better world.

citizeneconomy, Cohesion Policy, ERDF, EU budget, EU regions, local benefits, MFF, showcases, wellspent
EU Funds
Energy & climate, Transport, Resource efficiency
Environmentalists, get your keyboards ready: The European Investment Bank asks for inputs on its energy policy
October 11, 2012
 | by Anna Roggenbuck

With annually more than ten billion euros of investments in the energy sector, the EIB can have a tremendous influence on our energy future. If we want the bank to help us “get it right”, the time for providing inputs is now.

climate action, EIB, energy, energy efficiency, fossil fuels, policy, renewables
EIB
Energy & climate, Resource efficiency

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