Policy Letters
[Policy letter] Letter to EBRD president regarding financing for several highway sections in Slovakia
(December 5, 2008)
Recently the Slovak parliament adopted Act 669/2007 which allows motorways to be built on private property that has not been bought or expropriated at the time of construction. This creates favorable conditions for private investors engaged in building highways under public-private partnership ( PPP ) schemes. The act directly violates the right to the peaceful enjoyment of possessions guaranteed by the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and its protocols, which is the basic norm of the EU in the area of human rights.
[Policy letter] A letter to Ukrainian president Yuschenko regarding memorandum between government of Ukraine and ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih
(December 2, 2008)
A letter to Ukrainian president exposes the agreement between the Ukraine's government and ArcelorMittal. In that agreement the company asks for reduced energy rates and delayed implementation of energy saving projects, while, on the contrary, the EBRD has lended money for modernization and improving the energy efficiency of the plant.
[Policy letter] A letter to Kazakh president Nazarbayev regarding special agreement with ArcelorMittal
(December 2, 2008)
The letter highlights the recently-signed memorandum of understanding between Kazakh government and ArcelorMittal Temirtau that grants the company a number of special conditions, like fixed pollution fees regardless of the actual volume of pollutant emissions, and a fixed corporate income tax regardless of the results of the company's financial activities.
[Policy letter] An approach to Barroso regarding taxpayers-backed loans for the car industry
(November 19, 2008)
This letter focuses on a loan proposal from the EIB for the car industry. The bank already funded companies that are producers of models with high fuel consumption while progress on improving fuel efficiency has ground to a halt. This projected loan is in no way relevant to the proposed European policy to set lower future levels of CO2 emissions. Also the loan itself is an extremely significant figure and equals 80 euros per EU citizen. At the core of the concern is the fact that it's a "precendent that would be set by offering financial support to an industry in order to meet an environmental regulation". The loan proposal itself lacks transparency and has not given any opportunities for public debate so far.
[Policy letter] Follow up letter to DG Regional policy regarding controversial transport projects - Prague ring road (R1) and Katowice-Vienna TENT connection in South Moravia (R52 / R55 motorways)
(November 14, 2008)
This letter highlights problems with two controversial transport projects, the Prague Ring Road and Katowice - Vienna connection proposed under the TEN-T program. Specifically in the case of the Prague Ring Road, these issues include nuclear safety regulations, inappropriate traffic mitigation measures and changes to the land use plan. Problematic issues with the Katowice - Vienna connection include environmental and transport efficiency concerns.
[Policy letter] Letter to the EIB regarding consultations on its Lending Policy for municipal waste
(October 13, 2008)
[Policy letter] An appeal to the president of BNP Paribas bank - the leading funder of the oil drilling in the North Caspean Sea
(October 8, 2008)
The Caspian Sea with its fragile ecosystem is endangered by the newly developing offshore oil drilling on its north waters. Both the environment and the public health are put at risk due to the high concentration of toxic pollutants including gases in Kashagan oil. By financing that project BNP Paribas undermines the positive outcomes of pouring money into renewable energy sources as their stated commitment to combating climate change. The project neither has emission management plan nor oil spill response plan and the surrounding inhabited areas are prone to poisoning with heavier than air gases - the nearby city of Atyrau with population of about 220 000 is situated in a valley that is about 30 meters below sea level while the Kashagan platform is within 70km proximity.
[Policy letter] Letter to the EIB regarding the social and environmental impacts of financing for sections of the D1 motorway in Slovakia
(September 16, 2008)
[Policy letter] Letter to the new EBRD Country Director for Ukraine regarding the national energy strategy
(September 15, 2008)
[Policy letter] Letter to the Lithuanian Ministry of Environment regarding public hearings for the new nuclear power plan in Visaginas, Lithuania
(September 2, 2008)
[Response] Response from the Lithuanian Ministry of Environment regarding a letter on the public hearings for the new nuclear power plan in Visaginas, Lithuania
(September 23, 2008)
[Policy letter] Letter to the World Bank regarding concerns with the public review of the environmental and social impact assessment for the Khudoni hydropower project
(July 18, 2008)
[Response] Response from the World Bank regarding the public review of the environmental and social impact assessment for the Khudoni hydropower project
(July 25, 2008)
[Policy letter] Follow-up letter to the EBRD regarding the Bautino Atash Marine and Supply Base project in Kazakshtan
(May 29, 2008)
[Policy letter] Letter to DG TREN regarding EU and EIB funds for ill-conceived projects
(May 28, 2008)
[Policy letter] Report on the meeting with DG Regio regarding the Demir Kapija - Smokvica highway
(May 22, 2008)
[Policy letter] Request by Global Action on ArcelorMittal to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and International Finance Corporation
(May 19, 2008)
[Policy letter] Follow-up letter to DG Region reiterating major concerns about controversial projects planned with EU funds in the period 2007-2013
(May 8, 2008)
[Policy letter] Letter to Varel Freeman, First vice president of banking sector in EBRD
(April 9, 2008)
[Policy letter] NGO letter of concern regarding priority projects approved by the Ministerial Council of the South East Europe Energy Community Treaty
(February 26, 2008)
[Response] Response from the SEE Energy Community regarding NGO concerns over the indicative list of energy infrastructure priority projects
(March 12, 2008)
[Response] SEEDW response to the SEE Energy Community regarding NGO concerns over the indicative list of energy infrastructure priority projects
(June 3, 2008)
[Policy letter] European civil society concerns about inadequate policies and practices of the European Investment Bank: memo for European parliamentarians in the run-up to discussion of the EIB Annual Report 2006
(February 25, 2008)
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