What do climate action and social fairness have in common? More than you might think.👀 The Social Climate Fund, the just transition, social inclusion and the EU Emissions Trading System 2 may sound like technical terms, but they all point to 1 simple idea: making sure climate action works for 👤 & 🌏.

🎞️Premiere 🎞️#StopUpperHorizons 1/ 🌊 There is only one Neretva. And it's under threat. The Upper Horizons hydropower project would divert water from the Neretva basin through dams, reservoirs, tunnels and canals to another river basin. The consequences?👇

Ever wondered why the Social Climate Fund includes both ‘social’ and ‘climate’ in its name? Wonder no more. Introducing the Social Climate Navigator – an interactive tool that explains 16 key terms closely linked to the Fund. 🧭 Swipe through: online.flipbuilder.com/CEE-Bankwatc....

🚎 How did a green transport investment end up with the dismantling of Bishkek’s trolleybus network? Our latest blog post explores what went wrong, so development banks can learn lessons and ensure that future green investments don’t leave people behind. 🔗Read it here: bankwatch.org/blog/changin...

📢 Energy-efficient buildings aren’t just better for the climate – they’re better places to live. Hear first hand how renovations can reduce costs, improve safety and enhance quality of life. 📽️Watch our short to discover how building renovation is transforming communities across Europe.

🧩 After more than two years without a dedicated regional platform for the just transition, the #WesternBalkans finally has a second chance to drive meaningful change. Explore what the launch of the JET Balkans project means for the region. 🔗 : bankwatch.org/blog/western...

Ever wondered which investments can make social climate plans work for both people and the planet? 📖Our new booklet showcases 8️⃣ examples from CEE demonstrating how climate action and social inclusion go hand in hand. online.flipbuilder.com/CEE-Bankwatc...

What happens when 90% of your heating fuel comes from imports? Serbia’s #DistrictHeating sector offers an important warning for the region. More in our new blog post by @natasa-green.bsky.social : bankwatch.org/blog/serbia-...

The @eib.org is reviewing its Complaints Mechanism Policy – the framework through which communities harmed by EIB-funded projects can seek redress. This review is long overdue. Our new blog post sets out what a truly accountable EIB Complaints Mechanism should look like bankwatch.org/blog/a-new-c...

Our recent analysis of UA’s public investment management system provides recommendations on applying environmental safeguards using the ‘do no significant harm’ principle and the Digital Restoration Ecosystem for Accountable Management. Read the full analysis here: bankwatch.org/.../the-soci....

The conference covered five key dimensions: business, human capital, local and regional development, EU integration, and security and defence.

Last week, we participated in the 2026 Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk, Poland aimed at mobilising international investment to support Ukraine’s reconstruction. 💪

🎯 In our latest podcast episode, Krzysztof Mrozek discusses Poland’s social climate plan. He also explores the potential consequences for PL if the second Emissions Trading System and the Social Climate Fund are not introduced. Tune in: open.spotify.com/episode/6WXD...

Why is it crucial to include the EU Habitats, Birds and Water Framework Directives in the Energy Community Treaty? Find out in our new position paper, supported by 78 civil society organisations working in the Western Balkans. #GreenAgendaNavigator #GAWBNavigator bankwatch.org/publication/...

🏡 The deadline for transposition the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive has passed, but implementation remains a mystery in many countries. The Directive is central to Europe’s plan for a decarbonised building stock by 2050. More in our interactive 📗: online.flipbuilder.com/CEE-Bankwatc...

New podcast! Explore how France can ensure access to affordable energy in housing and mobility, the country’s growing need for housing support, and why revenues from the 2nd Emissions Trading System could play a crucial role in tackling the 🏠 crisis. 🎧 Hit play: open.spotify.com/episode/6WXD...

Gacko in 🇧🇦 was once again the highest relative dust polluter, emitting 15.1 times as much as allowed. 🧪 Nitrogen oxide emissions: Nikola Tesla B in 🇷🇸 had by far the highest absolute emissions in 2025, at 11,247 tonnes.

💨 Dust emissions: The absolute highest emitting unit in the region was Bitola B 1 & 2 in 🇲🇰, with 5,276 tonnes. Overall, the Bitola plant single-handedly exceeded the dust limit for all four countries added together.

Its EUR 85 million desulphurisation unit is still not working, and it’s unclear whether it ever will. No fewer than five coal-fired units exceeded their ceilings for sulphur dioxide emissions by more than 10 times: Bitola B1 & 2 and B3 in 🇲🇰 and Ugljevik, Gacko and Kakanj 6 in 🇧🇦.

🧵 Who’s still poisoning the air? Which were the dirtiest coal power plants in the Western Balkans in 2025? 🔥 The ‘champions’ in the sulphur dioxide category are: 🇧🇦 Ugljevik in Bosnia and Herzegovina was again the region’s highest absolute coal polluter in 2025, with 115,079 tonnes.

👉Since 1995, we've been clear: development finance must go hand in hand with environmental protection and human rights. 🔥In 2025, our objectives remained unchanged: better safeguards for people and nature. See where we made difference in our latest annual report: bankwatch.org/wp-content/u...

1/3 🚨OUR NEW ‘COMPLY OR CLOSE’ REPORT IS OUT🚨 The end of 2025 marked 8 years since coal power plants in the Western Balkans had to meet new air pollution standards. www.complyorclose.org

2/3 The Nature Restoration Regulation is a landmark agreement that presents a major opportunity to halt and reverse biodiversity loss in Europe. Two years on from the Regulation’s adoption, EU Member States are now drafting their national restoration plans.

1/3💡 Last week, we launched our new report ‘Unlocking nature financing: National cost estimates for effective nature restoration’ at the European Parliament, hosted by MEP @cesarluena.bsky.social! Together with @euronatur.bsky.social and partners, we mapped the costs of nature restoration.

🔥 Mark your calendars for 23 June when the latest edition of our ‘Comply or Close’ report will be launched. Stay tuned for fresh data, deadly pollution and a wake-up call for decision makers. 🔴 www.complyorclose.org

How can urban transport in the Western Balkans become greener, safer and inclusive? In April, experts and civil society reps gathered in BiH to address this issue. This week, we’re bringing these perspectives to the attention of the @ebrd.bsky.social and @eib.org at the Transport Investment Summit.

⚠️The proposed Rogun Hydropower Project in Tajikistan is being appraised by the @eib.org. Together with our civil society partners, we’re calling on the EIB Board of Directors to ensure compliance with the Bank’s Environmental & Social Standards and EU requirements. bankwatch.org/publication/...

[New report] In 2024, the EU made history by adopting the Nature Restoration Regulation, committing to restore degraded ecosystems – forests, rivers, seas, farmland and even cities – by 2050.

🙋‍♀️One of our goals at the @ebrd.bsky.social sessions in Riga is to hold the Bank accountable for the harm its projects cause and make sure adequate remedy is provided. Check out the issues we’ll be raising and follow us for more updates! 🔗https://bankwatch.org/ebrd-annual-meeting-2026

🌿It’s International Environment Day! 🌿 With the @ebrd.bsky.social Annual Meeting starting today, now is the moment to confront a painful truth: development projects can cause major environmental harm, often leaving local communities to bear the consequences.