Four investment plans have been produced for the Sostanj lignite fired power plant in Slovenia with many differences in calculations and outcomes. This review of the latest investment plan illustrates a number of shortcomings including both methodological mistakes and unsubstantiated claims.

Civil society organizations from Central Asia submitted their recommendations on the EU's new Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI). The organisations call for a structured, open and transparent decision-making process involving local civil society representatives throughout the DCI activities in order to ensure the sustainable and democratic development of their countries.

In recent years, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has paid increased attention to sustainable energy issues, enegry efficiency in particular. At the same time, the bank's Sustainable Energy Initiative (SEI) criteria need to be strengthened in line with climate science and EU policy.

The proposed Khudoni hydro power plant poses the risk of an ecological disaster in one of the most amazing highland regions of Georgia. Additionally, the economic justification of the project is doubtful because the contract with the completely unknown, offshore Virgin Islands registered Georgian-Indian Company Transelectrica Ltd, is based on the BOO (Build-Own-Operate) principle that does not promise any significant income for the Georgian budget.

Linked to a slew of controversies, the Kolubara lignite mining project in Serbia is in line for support from European public banks. Corruption allegations, pollution at local level, irregularities in resettlement of local populations and not to forget a climate damaging approach to energy investments should be reason enough to find alternative options.

An updated version of this briefing is available here (May 12, 2012).