Bankwatch

EBRD: Don't open pandora's box with lignite open cast mine in Serbia

Before making any decisions on the planned EUR 80 million loan for the Kolubara lignite mine project in Serbia, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s Board of Directors should take note of the controversy the bank will get involved in. Not only are the climate impacts of lignite well known, but the project is also indirectly connected to the resettlement of nearby residents.

Tags: energy fossil fuels human rights participation resettlement Balkans

Institution: EBRD

Theme: Energy & climate, Social & economic impacts

New EU budget lacks guarantees of greener spending

Polish perspectives on the EU presidency

Polish Presidency highlights EU climate paradox

July 1, 2011

As Poland starts its EU Presidency today, serious doubts loom over its willingness to provide ambitious leadership on EU climate policies. Paradoxically, it is the EU's own public banks which are sponsoring the country's unfettered coal industry, the root cause of Polish climate scepticism.

Institution: EBRD, EIB

Theme: Energy & climate

Video: Polish perspectives on the EU presidency

Today Poland takes the helm of the EU presidency, but the country's recent move to unilaterally block a 25 percent reduction target for EU carbon emissions has solidified expectations that Poland would hinder a more ambitious EU climate policy agenda.

Tags: energy security EU fossil fuels

Institution: EBRD, EIB

Theme: Energy & climate

Coal-friendly Poland: a bad climate leader for the EU

July 1, 2011

Source: Kuba Gogolewski, EU Observer

If anybody in the EU had any illusions about how stern Poland's resistance to the EU climate policy can get, a reality check came on June 22.

Theme: Energy & climate

Polish leader raises alarm about 'new' euroscepticism

July 1, 2011

Source: Andrew Rettman, EuObserver

The financial crisis and Arab Spring migrants have given rise to a "new euroscepticism" inside the union, Polish leader Donald Tusk has warned as Poland takes over the EU presidency.

Institution: EBRD, EIB

No guarantees of greener spending in EU budget

June 30, 2011

The next long-term budget for the European Union offers ways to fight climate change and to move Europe’s economies to a sustainable development path but still leaves the door open for harmful spending, according to Friends of the Earth Europe and CEE Bankwatch. The analysis comes after the proposal for the EU budget post-2013 was presented in Brussels last night.

Institution: EU Funds

Theme: Energy & climate, Transport, Resource efficiency

One-fifth of EU budget earmarked for tackling climate change

June 30, 2011

Source: Phillipa Jones, Environmental Finance

Environmental policy and climate change action will be "mainstreamed" into all areas of the EU budget from 2014, the European Commission announced late on Wednesday night, with climate-related expenditure making up at least 20% of EU financing.

Institution: EU Funds