120.000 of your signatures were delivered to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on Wednesday last week. Thank you for rallying with us against the irreversible destruction of Europe’s last wild rivers. #thedamtruth is that these free-flowing waterways may continue to be wild because you voiced your opposition.
Along with a coalition of grassroots environmental groups, we are asking the EBRD and other banks involved to:
1.
Immediately restrict funding for projects in protected areas and highly valuable river stretches.
2.
Apply more stringent green conditions to loans in the sector.
3.
Increase funding for energy efficiency and other lower impact renewable energy sources, with untapped regional potential.
But the fight does not end here. Next week we are screening Blue Heart in the EU parliament and aim to discuss energy and investment policies for the Balkans. In September, local activists are planning paddling protests throughout the Balkans and the European river community is meeting in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina to fight for free flowing rivers.
Photos: (Top) ANDREW BURR (Bottom) JASON ALDEN