Issue Papers
[Issue paper] Do EU Funds Contribute to Climate Change Abatement in New Member States?
(June 24, 2008)
This article deals mainly with EU funds allocations for energy efficiency, renewables and sustainable transportation. The data used in the analysis is taken from the allocations planned in the National Operational Programmes (OP) in the CEE-10, which constitute the key programming documents for distribution of the EU funds at national level.
[Issue paper] EBRD support for ArcelorMittal Temirtau is failing to stem pollution and accidents
(May 19, 2008)
In 2007 the EBRD approved a USD 100 million loan for ArcelorMittal Temirtau (AMT), a metal and mining complex in the Karaganda region of Central Kazakhstan in order to “support further improvements to Mittal Steel Temirtau’s health and safety practices at its coal mines in Karaganda with the aim to bring them in line with international best practice”. Yet Giant companies with high profits such as ArcelorMittal hardly need the support of international taxpayers, and the EBRD should develop tighter criteria for its private sector financing to ensure that companies benefiting are those that really need public financial support.
[Issue paper] Kaniv Pumped Storage Plant, Ukraine
(May 19, 2008)
The EBRD continues to assert the need to increase power efficiency and to develop renewable energy sources. This is why NECU are not entirely clear about the apparent readiness of the EBRD to support a project which has so many weak points and is an integral part of the national strategy that includes measures which have been criticised by the EBRD’s experts. The EBRD should be making efforts to help the Ukrainian government develop a power strategy which is much more effective. It should also support projects that aim to increase energy efficiency and the independence of the Ukrainian economy.
[Issue paper] EBRD water projects in Georgia
(May 19, 2008)
Since Georgia’s independence in the early 1990s, due to financial constraints maintenance and repair works at most of the water utilities have been neglected. In order to improve the situation in the water sector, several Georgian city councils have approached the EBRD for financing. While some of the aims of the projects should be welcomed, the decision-making processes, implementation of the projects and the lack of public consultation has caused concerns about the outcomes of the projects. Problems include the non-existence of social mitigation plans in tariff reforms, violation of customers’ rights, and the lack of transparency and public consultations.
[Issue paper] Introduction of cyanide leaching at the Chelopech gold and copper mine
(May 19, 2008)
The Chelopech Mining project is separated in two parts: Phase 1 focusing on environmental improvements; and Phase 2 proposing the expansion of metals production through the introduction of cyanide leaching technology. EBRD approved a USD 10 million loan for Phase 1 in 2004. Phase 2 has been under review since 2005, and there has been no progress due to the blocking of the project by the Bulgarian Ministry for the Environment and Waters at the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) stage in March 2006. The project has received a 'B' categorisation, although the activities proposed under Phase 2 carry risks for human health and the environment, thus calling for category 'A'.
[Issue paper] Environmental activity of the LUKOIL Company in Komi
(May 19, 2008)
In May 2007 the LUKOIL Company signed a USD 300 million loan contract with the EBRD and other multilateral banks to finance an environmental security scheme of the LUKOIL group subsidiaries. The borrowed funds were supposed to be used for implementing environmental projects by a number of company divisions including LUKOIL Komi LLC. The loan is believed to help decrease the volume of associated gas, reduce water consumption and pollutant content in sewage, arrange waste management and reconstruct industrial pipelines.
The EBRD, as LUKOIL’s credit grantor, must have an impact on the environmental, social and information policy of this company to ensure that it no longer ignores Russian legislation, and ends its contemptuous attitude towards public authorities and nongovernmental organisations.
[Issue paper] Western High Speed Diameter: strategic risks of a strategic project
(May 19, 2008)
The Western High Speed Diameter (WHSD) is a 46 kilometre toll motorway, part of the IX Pan-European Transport Corridor linking St. Petersburg with Scandinavia. The road has been presented as a strategic investment priority for St. Petersburg by the Russian authorities and international financiers as it is going to be the first public-private partnership in Russia as well as the first toll road in Russia. Yet there are serious doubts that the WHSD will make St. Petersburg a better place.
[Issue paper] Briefing paper and report from the fact-finding mission to the Belgrade Bypass and Gazela Bridge projects
(July 25, 2007)
[Issue paper] Can the AMBO pipeline make everyone happy? Overview of the project and its potential impacts on the environment
(May 20, 2007)
[Issue paper] Report on the EBRD's progress towards its renewable energy and energy efficiency target
(May 19, 2007)
[Issue paper] Zagreb solid waste municipal incinerator: an unsuitable quick-fix for Zagreb's waste problems
(May 19, 2007)
[Issue paper] Expressway R1 in Slovakia, section Žarnovica–Šášovské Podhradie will harm the environment, health, and property of the local citizens
(March 30, 2007)
[Issue paper] Dniester Pump Storage Plant in the context of international agreements and standards
(March 13, 2007)
[Issue paper] Why is a worker-bashing supermarket chain in line for more handouts? Kaufland Issue Paper
(January 17, 2007)
In January 2005 the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) provided a loan to the German Schwarz Group company for the strategic expansion of the Kaufland supermarket chain in Poland. The EBRD granted the EUR 110 million loan in spite of the uncovering – by a parallel investigation carried out by the National Labour Inspectorate – of Kaufland’s contempt for Polish employment law. Although the EBRD claimed it undertook a specific action plan that helped to remedy the company’s shortcomings, another labour investigation undertaken by the National Labour Inspectorate last year revealed Kaufland Polska’s continuing non-compliance with Polish legislation and International Labour Organisation standards.
CEE Bankwatch Network gratefully acknowledges EU funding support.