Types of projects

The map comprises three categories of projects:

  • 12 approved projects, for which EU/EIB money has already been authorised and that, in some cases, are already under construction or completed
    Total cost: €7.7.bn; cost to EU funds: €4.8bn
  • 32 planned projects, that are listed in the national plans for EU funding in the 2007-2013 period or are planned to be financed by the EIB
    Total cost: €7.8bn; cost to EU funds: €6bn
  • 11 potential projects, that are not officially listed in the EU funding plans or in the EIB pipeline, but are being seriously considered for EU or EIB financial support
    Total cost: €7.5bn; cost to EU funds: €1bn

The most common types of projects on the map:

  • 16 motorways and expressways, ineptly routed through residential areas or valuable natural sites
    Total cost of the problematic sections: €9.4bn; cost to EU funds: €5.5bn
  • 22 waste incinerators, promoted at the expense of more economical and green alternatives, such as waste prevention, recycling and composting
    Total cost: €2bn; cost to EU funds: €1.2bn
  • 5 inland navigation and other water management projects, involving the artificial regulation of rivers or lakes with damaging impacts on natural ecosystems and other functions of these water bodies
    Total cost: €0.4bn; cost to EU funds: €0.3bn

What is controversial about the projects?

  • All the projects on the map are more environmentally damaging than their alternatives – they will cause significant harm to the natural and human environment, irreversibly modify landscapes and cause biodiversity loss. Essentially, these projects will lock regions into unsustainable pathways and carbon emission scenarios.
  • The projects are also often economically dubious – their costs are higher than their benefits or they crowd out more cost effective alternatives
  • Many of the projects are legally deficient as they breach national or EU legislation (eg with regard to environmental impact assessment or NATURA 2000 legislation) and some of them are already the subject of legal complaints and court cases.
  • A lot of the projects discussed face public opposition, usually from people living in their vicinity who would be most directly affected. Some of the projects in fact, because of their blatant deficiencies, are driving wider opposition from the general public.