Climate

How are polluting industries lobbying against real climate action?

Other climate battles

Time to block BlackRock

BlackRock is a major fossil fuel investor. So why has the European Commission given it a key role to provide paid advice on the crucial ‘sustainable finance’ dossier? Documents obtained by Corporate Europe Observatory show the Commission didn’t even consider the conflicts of interest.

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EU Climate Bank - Greenwashing or Banking Revolution?

In this eighth episode, Clara Bourgin, research and policy assistant at Counter Balance digs into the recent commitments taken by the Europe Investment Bank (EIB) – the lending arm of the European Union – to become the “EU Climate Bank”.

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Fossil free politics

A grey deal?

The European Green Deal (EGD) is a major new plan for the EU that seeks to make its economy 'climate-neutral'. Is the deal really as good as they want us to believe? The fingerprints of industry, and in particular the fossil fuel industry, can be seen all over the EGD. Emissions reductions targets are too modest and too slow, fossil gas is kept as a transitional fuel, and public money will finance industry ‘false solutions’. How did this happen?

toilet shell

The future according to Shell

We zoom in Shell's promises of becoming a net-zero company by 2050 using the full toolbox of false 'solutions': gas, CCS, carbon markets and ‘natural climate solutions’. With millions spent on lobbying and privileged access to EU decision makers, Shell's rhetoric is hoping to distract from the reality of its commitment to increase oil and gas production

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Can we trust financial institutions to manage climate change?

EU Watchdog Radio is a new podcast hosted jointly by CEO and Counter Balance. In the fifth episode, we talk with two experts from civil society organisations about the role of big financial institutions or companies in the economic recovery and Green Deal. Red line: there is enough money to finance climate proof and socially just change, but we need more scrutiny of how and where that money is being used.

Silent expansion

Investor privileges (ISDS)

Silent expansion

The Energy Charter Treaty is becoming increasingly controversial – not least because of its potential to obstruct the energy transition. Nonetheless, many countries, particularly in the global south, are in the process of joining this dangerous agreement.

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The logistics of globalisation: Is this the world you want?

EU Watchdog Radio is a new podcast hosted jointly by CEO and Counter Balance. In the third episode, Nicholas Hildyard, UK-based researcher and activist of NGO The Corner House, gives some fascinating insights in the world of logistics.

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Counter Balance - Challenging Public Investment Banks

EU Watchdog Radio is a new podcast hosted jointly by two Brussels based organisations Counter Balance (CB) and Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO). In the very first episode Xavier Sol of Counter Balance discusses how the European Union is planning to finance the Green Deal.

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Fossil free politics

Croatia’s love affair with dirty energy

Council presidency sponsorship, high-profile events, new fossil fuel investments…. Corporate Europe Observatory turns a quizzical eye on the Croatian Government’s love affair with the fossil fuel industry.

Burning Down the House

UN climate talks

Corporate COP25: the biggest failure so far?

CEO spent a very busy two weeks at COP25 in Madrid in December, working with inspiring allies in the fight for climate justice and exposing the role of corporations in co-opting the UN climate talks and derailing the process.

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UN climate talks

COP25 Bankrolled by Big Polluters

Some of Spain's biggest polluters are bankrolling COP25 in Madrid. See our new infographic and fact-file for more information.

Fossil Free Politics

Fossil free politics

Cut gas, oil and coal out of our politics!

For decades, fossil fuel companies and their lobbyists have denied science, and have delayed, weakened, and sabotaged climate action. They made billions in profits, while heating the planet and destroying communities. This stops now.

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