Latest project dialogue

February – March 2009

Due to significant changes in the overall investment plans of some of the ArcelorMittal ("AM") operations in which the EBRD has invested, the Bank identified the need to review the status of the implementation of the Environmental and Social Action Plans (ESAPs) at these plants. The Bank has also received complaints by NGOs on various aspects of the environmental performance of the ArcelorMittal operations. Bearing these concerns in mind, the EBRD initiated a dialogue at senior corporate level with AM management board in 2008. Also, during February and March 2009, EBRD bankers, environmental and social experts and external consultants conducted an environmental, health, safety and social monitoring review of all 5 AM operations, in which the Bank is involved in addition to its normal monitoring activity. They conducted site visits to Macedonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Ukraine, Romania and Kazakhstan. They also met NGO representatives in Kazakhstan and Bosnia.

Main objectives was to review the status of implementation of the ESAPs. At the moment, the Bank is reviewing the evidence collected during the trips. The findings will be presented by EBRD management to the relevant senior managers of ArcelorMittal. We will then revise and update, where appropriate, the Environmental Action Plans and will work with the company to achieve the targets set in these revised plans. EBRD will also continue to work with AM to improve their dialogue with stakeholders, especially in Kazakhstan and Ukraine. To keep interested parties informed, the Bank will update Project Summary Documents of the 5 projects with relevant information in late April.

18 April 2008, Tirana, Albania

The EBRD's First-Vice President, Varel Freeman, visited Albania from 17 to 18 April. Together with Dan Berg, Head of EBRD's Tirana RO, the Vice-President met with representatives of Civic Alliance for the Protection of the Bay Vlora, Environmental group EDEN, Eco-movement (Ekolevizja), Mjaft (Enough!) and REC (Regional Environmental Center). The NGOs raised several environmental and social issues in relation to the Bank's potential financing of Vlore Coastal Terminal project. The NGOs also expressed their views on the public consultation process related to the Thermal Power Generation Project in Vlore which was at the time the subject of a compliance review under the Bank’s Independent Recourse Mechanism (IRM). The review has now been completed and you can find the final IRM report on our website  (0.1Mb).

1 March 2007, St Petersburg, Russia

As part of a fact finding mission, Robert Coyle, Senior Environmental Advisor and Polina Pimenova, Environmental Specialist, met a group of NGOs to familiarise themselves with local views and concerns regarding the Western High Speed Diameter (WHSD) project. Assessment Centre ECOM and Baltic Fund for Nature (St Petersburg Society of Naturalists), ZOV - Protect Vasilyevsky Island, Socio-Ecological Union SEU Centre for Coordination & Information, Save Yuntolovo, Centre for Development of Cultural Initiatives) and Citizens’ Watch attended the meeting. Other EBRD representatives who took part in the meeting were Bruno Balvanera, head of St Petersburg Resident Office, Oxana Zhekhanova, Administrative Assistant, and Biljana Radonjic Ker-Lindsay, NGO Advisor who informed the NGOs about the Annual Meeting and invited them to attend.

The NGOs learnt that the EBRD has expressed interest in financing the WHSD project, alongside other IFIs, and was ready to listen and take into account their opinions and concerns about the project before any final decision about financing is made. The NGOs expressed concerns about the legality of the project, including the issue of garages; economic viability of the project; ecological consequences, especially on the Yuntolovo Reserve and Vasilyevsky Island and the impact of the project on the quality of life; and the access to information. NGOs were invited to continue the dialogue with the EBRD on the WHSD and other issues by getting in touch with St Petersburg RO, and especially Ms Zhekhanova.