environment
Cyprus failing to halt solar power projects in environmentally sensitive areas
12 August 2021 - The rapid expansion of solar power threatens agricultural and protected areas and there have been numerous cases of irreversible damage in Cyprus
Vinča landfill fire – who is responsible for ‘golden utility project’?
10 August 2021 - A fire erupted at the Vinča landfill. Belgrade authorities say Beo čista energija is in charge but it claims it would rehabilitate it when it gets a permit.
Protests as City of Loznica in Serbia adopts spatial plan for Rio Tinto’s lithium project
29 July 2021 - Hundreds of people protested in Loznica in western Serbia as the local assembly was adopting the spatial plan for Rio Tinto's lithium project
Rio Tinto launches controversial Serbian lithium investment before environmental study
28 July 2021 - Rio Tinto keeps buying land in Serbia and getting permits for a lithium mine after the investment decision, but there is no environmental impact study
Slovenia’s Vizjak proposes referendum on country’s energy future
21 July 2021 - Minister Andrej Vizjak said a plebiscite should be held on Slovenia's overall energy plans and not just on the second nuclear reactor for Krško
Serbia’s Ministry of Energy files charges against ex-Minister of Environmental Protection over small hydropower plants
12 July 2021 - Serbia's Ministry of Mining and Energy filed criminal charges against the ex-environment minister and the Director of the Institute for Nature Conservation
Amnesty condemns defamation lawsuits against environmentalists in Kosovo*
29 June 2021 - Small hydropower plant owner KelKos launched defamation lawsuits against Shpresa Loshaj and Adriatik Gacaferi to intimidate and silence them, Amnesty International claims
Green for Growth Fund attracts EUR 135 million in green finance in 2020
28 June 2021 - The Green for Growth Fund's Impact Report for 2020 revealed that it attracted EUR 135 million in investments and technical assistance commitments
Wind turbine blades must become 100% recyclable by 2025
21 June 2021 - WindEurope said the EU should ban landfilling of decommissioned wind turbine blades by 2025 and vowed to work on recycling solutions
Civic group urges ban on advertising, sponsorships for fossil fuel firms
17 June 2021 - The EU registered a European citizens' initiative entitled Ban Fossil Fuel Advertising and Sponsorships, which compares fossil fuels with tobacco
North Macedonia to roll out ecotax for oil, slash VAT for electricity to 5%
16 June 2021 - An ecotax of 5.7 cents will be introduced in North Macedonia for oil and the value-added tax on electricity will be cut to 5% from 18% for one year.
Serbia preparing framework to issue sovereign green bonds
16 June 2021 - Serbia is getting ready to raise funds through green bonds. CBI head Sean Kidney said they are more attractive to investors than ordinary debt securities.
Citizens dig up illegal waste, take it to Zrenjanin mayor
14 June 2021 - Citizens and activists dug up some of the waste that they say was dumped by a plastics recycling plant and brought it in front of the Zrenjanin Town Hall
EU is revising state aid guidelines for climate, energy, environment
10 June 2021 - The EU is revising state aid rules for the environment and energy. It proposed a competitive bidding system and covering up to 100% of funding gaps.
EBRD promotes auctions as number one tool for renewable energy growth
09 June 2021 - EBRD's Director for Western Balkans Matteo Colangeli says it is helping roll out renewable energy auctions and that it would fund decarbonization and bilateral power purchase agreements
North Macedonia to revoke concessions for small hydropower plants
08 June 2021 - Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said most concession contracts for small hydropower plants in North Macedonia would be annulled regardless of possible litigation