Briefing: The EBRD and the Serbian coal sector

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and German development Bank KfW are considering supporting the development of a new field in the lignite open pit mine in the Kolubara mining complex in Serbia. Interestingly, the investment is categorised as "Environmental Improvement" on the EBRD's website. But no matter how efficient future processing is, investments into perpetuating lignite production - the dirtiest of fossil fuels - instead of clean electricity generation alternatives rather resembles re-arranging the deck-chairs on the Titanic than serious 'environmental improvement'.