Category: Publications

Need for improved OECD environmental assessment standards and transparency

Just Finance International would like to seize this opportunity and suggest ways in which to improve how and when OECD members carry out environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs). The latter determine the impact OECD projects would have on the climate and environment and form the basis of decision for whether a project may go ahead or not.

Adding coal to the fire

Our research on China’s new and ongoing international coal-fired power deals show that while project completion rate is on the decline, and the cancellation rate of projects in a number of countries has risen during the past year, there is a risk that over 3,645 megawatts of newly announced deals from 2021 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Serbia, as well as over 10 GW of planned projects in six countries across Europe, Asia and Africa may receive financing or at risk of getting built and put into operation.

The Beijing-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank: Global Leader in Infrastructure at What Cost?

In the run-up to the annual meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) on October 26–28, the Heinrich Böll Foundation presents an analysis of what transparency requirements the AIIB has met following the review of its Environmental and Social Framework for financing.

An Open Letter : NGOs call on the AIIB Board not to approve sovereign financing to Belarus

In the situation of the ongoing social and political crisis in Belarus, the regime of Alexander Lukashenko, while demonstrating the practices of the occupying government in their own country, continues to use the resources of international inter-governmental financial systems for the purpose of retaining their own power.

Serbia’s pollution crisis in pictures

Bor, in north-eastern Serbia, is one of the country’s most polluted cities. While citizens protest their dirty air and water, Chinese mining company Zijin, which runs the city’s large-scale copper mining and smelting complex, is expanding its operations. This unique picture essay by Nemanja Pančić captures the industrial landscape and pollution in Bor and its surrounds.

Chinese investments is undercutting Serbian Rule of law

Foreign direct investments and loans from China have in recent years enabled some of Serbia’s largest and most polluting infrastructure projects in coal, mining and transport sectors. These particular investments have been reported to be benefiting from practices that are nothing short of undercutting legal requirements specific to procurement, transparency and environmental permitting procedures.

Decarbonising Danish Export Credits – a case study: A critical review of the climate footprint, environmental and social due diligence and transparency in the Danish Export Credit Agency

With many DKK billions at its disposal, the Danish Export Credit agency EKF finances over 100 projects a year. For most projects, no assessment of the impact on the climate, environment, and local communities is undertaken or published, as this is not required for smaller projects or projects that are not considered high-risk by international… Continue reading Decarbonising Danish Export Credits – a case study: A critical review of the climate footprint, environmental and social due diligence and transparency in the Danish Export Credit Agency

Increased activity by sanctioned Chinese defence companies in the Western Balkans

Serbia Serbia’s purchase of missiles and armed drones made it the first European country to enter a defence cooperation with China. Serbia also allowed Chinese security forces to train on European soil. Read more Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina has received three Chinese donations of military equipment for its army’s Engineering Corps. The last,… Continue reading Increased activity by sanctioned Chinese defence companies in the Western Balkans

Chinese companies in Serbia – disgraced in international operations

Zijin Blacklisted by investors and pension funds Multilateral company Zijin currently operates a copper and mining complex in Bor. The company is accused of severe pollution in several countries and has been found to have violated the UN Convention on Biological Diversity by dumping large amounts of waste into a river in Papua New Guinea.… Continue reading Chinese companies in Serbia – disgraced in international operations