Environmental NGOs would like to highlight opportunities for decision makers to improve key issues of the Cohesion Policy regulations, in order to maximise the benefits that can be delivered to European regions by the future Cohesion Policy and other Common Strategic Framework funds. In addition, they will ensure that the future Cohesion Policy better contributes to reach the Europe 2020 targets, create regional green jobs, enhance economic opportunities and address environmental challenges.

Environmental NGOs fully understand the need of more flexibility for regions that but have high concerns with the solution proposed by the Parliament regarding the principle of thematic concentration: in this time of crisis, we note with concern that many Member States and regions stick to business as usual approaches to re-boost growth urgently – because it is considered to be faster and easier than more innovative, complex and forward looking solutions.

As the first step in its review of its Energy Operations Policy, the EBRD asked for input on its current policy before moving on to write the new sectoral strategy. In our comments, Bankwatch highlighted the current policy's lack of restrictions on climate-damaging projects including coal power plants and the need for the bank to adopt strict sustainability criteria in order to ensure that it supports only truly sustainable renewable energy.

The European Investment Bank has opened a review of its energy policy and called for the public's views on the key future challenges for the bank's operations. The lending figures to the energy sector until 2011 show that the policy must better guide the EIB's lending towards EU policy objectives of de-carbonisation of the energy sector.

While not part of the EIB's energy policy review process as such, following an official request for information Bankwatch has received comments submitted by the Directorate-General for Environment of the European Commission to the EIB as part of ongoing exchanges between the bank and the Commission.