Counter Balance
@counter-balance.bsky.social
A coalition of European NGOs challenging public banks like the European Investment Bank on climate and human rights.
🔗 Website: https://counter-balance.org/
📰 Newsletter: http://bit.ly/486zZZs
🔗 Website: https://counter-balance.org/
📰 Newsletter: http://bit.ly/486zZZs
1) Export credit agencies (ECAs) are gaining space in EU debates on sustainable development, but there’s a catch. 🤔
ECAs exist to boost national companies abroad, not to reduce poverty or fight climate change. 🚫🌍
ECAs exist to boost national companies abroad, not to reduce poverty or fight climate change. 🚫🌍
November 18, 2025 at 11:56 AM
1) Export credit agencies (ECAs) are gaining space in EU debates on sustainable development, but there’s a catch. 🤔
ECAs exist to boost national companies abroad, not to reduce poverty or fight climate change. 🚫🌍
ECAs exist to boost national companies abroad, not to reduce poverty or fight climate change. 🚫🌍
Yesterday, we heard the @eib.org speak about win-win partnerships and boosting defense spending to secure the EU’s strategic interests. 🇪🇺💬
But when we asked about the EIF venture capital invested in Israeli spyware firm Paragon Solutions, there were no answers. Silence speaks volumes. 🤐🩸
But when we asked about the EIF venture capital invested in Israeli spyware firm Paragon Solutions, there were no answers. Silence speaks volumes. 🤐🩸
October 22, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Yesterday, we heard the @eib.org speak about win-win partnerships and boosting defense spending to secure the EU’s strategic interests. 🇪🇺💬
But when we asked about the EIF venture capital invested in Israeli spyware firm Paragon Solutions, there were no answers. Silence speaks volumes. 🤐🩸
But when we asked about the EIF venture capital invested in Israeli spyware firm Paragon Solutions, there were no answers. Silence speaks volumes. 🤐🩸
🩸During the second panel, the @eib.org emphasised the need to continue increasing the defence and military sector.
In 2025, the bank would more than triple its defence-related financing. But is giving more money to companies making profit from war the solution? 🪖💣
In 2025, the bank would more than triple its defence-related financing. But is giving more money to companies making profit from war the solution? 🪖💣
October 21, 2025 at 12:55 PM
🩸During the second panel, the @eib.org emphasised the need to continue increasing the defence and military sector.
In 2025, the bank would more than triple its defence-related financing. But is giving more money to companies making profit from war the solution? 🪖💣
In 2025, the bank would more than triple its defence-related financing. But is giving more money to companies making profit from war the solution? 🪖💣
📢 Today is the @eib.org ’s Board Seminar with Civil Society. The first panel discussion is on EIB Global, the bank’s branch that gives loans outside the EU.
Let’s get into some important topics discussed during the event. 🧵👇
Let’s get into some important topics discussed during the event. 🧵👇
October 21, 2025 at 10:21 AM
📢 Today is the @eib.org ’s Board Seminar with Civil Society. The first panel discussion is on EIB Global, the bank’s branch that gives loans outside the EU.
Let’s get into some important topics discussed during the event. 🧵👇
Let’s get into some important topics discussed during the event. 🧵👇
1) 💶 The European Investment Bank (EIB) released its 2026–2030 Climate Strategy.
The self-proclaimed “EU Climate Bank” is now hitting the break before achieving its climate goals. 🏭 🏢
Here’s what you need to know 🧵👇
The self-proclaimed “EU Climate Bank” is now hitting the break before achieving its climate goals. 🏭 🏢
Here’s what you need to know 🧵👇
October 21, 2025 at 7:11 AM
1) 💶 The European Investment Bank (EIB) released its 2026–2030 Climate Strategy.
The self-proclaimed “EU Climate Bank” is now hitting the break before achieving its climate goals. 🏭 🏢
Here’s what you need to know 🧵👇
The self-proclaimed “EU Climate Bank” is now hitting the break before achieving its climate goals. 🏭 🏢
Here’s what you need to know 🧵👇
🎤 Frank Vanaerschot:
The grants are a super important element for the development action of the EU. The development banks and the private sector de-risk approach can not replace it. It is necessary to combine different public investments that look for long term economic viability. 🏡🚉🌳
The grants are a super important element for the development action of the EU. The development banks and the private sector de-risk approach can not replace it. It is necessary to combine different public investments that look for long term economic viability. 🏡🚉🌳
October 8, 2025 at 12:44 PM
🎤 Frank Vanaerschot:
The grants are a super important element for the development action of the EU. The development banks and the private sector de-risk approach can not replace it. It is necessary to combine different public investments that look for long term economic viability. 🏡🚉🌳
The grants are a super important element for the development action of the EU. The development banks and the private sector de-risk approach can not replace it. It is necessary to combine different public investments that look for long term economic viability. 🏡🚉🌳
💸 Hikma also highlighted the financial model that prioritises loans over grants:
Africa is borrowing money to build infrastructure that goes to Europe for it energy transition. It's an austerity dressed in green.
Africa is borrowing money to build infrastructure that goes to Europe for it energy transition. It's an austerity dressed in green.
October 8, 2025 at 8:36 AM
💸 Hikma also highlighted the financial model that prioritises loans over grants:
Africa is borrowing money to build infrastructure that goes to Europe for it energy transition. It's an austerity dressed in green.
Africa is borrowing money to build infrastructure that goes to Europe for it energy transition. It's an austerity dressed in green.
📣 Hikma Bachegour gave us a clear message:
The current EU approach tends to replicate a green neocolonialism approach. The local communities need projects that protect water, that create jobs, also for women. They need projects that assure technology transfer and capacity building.
The current EU approach tends to replicate a green neocolonialism approach. The local communities need projects that protect water, that create jobs, also for women. They need projects that assure technology transfer and capacity building.
October 8, 2025 at 8:10 AM
📣 Hikma Bachegour gave us a clear message:
The current EU approach tends to replicate a green neocolonialism approach. The local communities need projects that protect water, that create jobs, also for women. They need projects that assure technology transfer and capacity building.
The current EU approach tends to replicate a green neocolonialism approach. The local communities need projects that protect water, that create jobs, also for women. They need projects that assure technology transfer and capacity building.
🔴 Starting now | What are the real implications of the #GlobalGateway strategy❓
Today we'll discuss w/ civil society, affected communities & policymakers the impacts of #energy, mining, #climate & infrastructure projects on the ground.
Join via Zoom: bit.ly/4o5Uryp
Today we'll discuss w/ civil society, affected communities & policymakers the impacts of #energy, mining, #climate & infrastructure projects on the ground.
Join via Zoom: bit.ly/4o5Uryp
October 8, 2025 at 7:24 AM
🔴 Starting now | What are the real implications of the #GlobalGateway strategy❓
Today we'll discuss w/ civil society, affected communities & policymakers the impacts of #energy, mining, #climate & infrastructure projects on the ground.
Join via Zoom: bit.ly/4o5Uryp
Today we'll discuss w/ civil society, affected communities & policymakers the impacts of #energy, mining, #climate & infrastructure projects on the ground.
Join via Zoom: bit.ly/4o5Uryp
🏦 @eib.org's “strong engagement” with civil society on the review of the Climate Bank Roadmap:
☀️ One consultation in mid-summer
📄 No draft shared
⏳ 2 weeks for feedback
🔗 Link to the roadmap delayed for days
☀️ One consultation in mid-summer
📄 No draft shared
⏳ 2 weeks for feedback
🔗 Link to the roadmap delayed for days
October 7, 2025 at 10:08 AM
🏦 @eib.org's “strong engagement” with civil society on the review of the Climate Bank Roadmap:
☀️ One consultation in mid-summer
📄 No draft shared
⏳ 2 weeks for feedback
🔗 Link to the roadmap delayed for days
☀️ One consultation in mid-summer
📄 No draft shared
⏳ 2 weeks for feedback
🔗 Link to the roadmap delayed for days
🌍 Yesterday we watched a powerful documentary on hydrogen in South Africa 🇿🇦. The truth is clear: local communities see no benefits, only big corporations profit. ⚠️
October 2, 2025 at 8:45 AM
🌍 Yesterday we watched a powerful documentary on hydrogen in South Africa 🇿🇦. The truth is clear: local communities see no benefits, only big corporations profit. ⚠️
5/
It’s time to redirect public finance toward systems that serve people and the planet.🌍🌳
📝 Read the full blog by Clàudia Custodio from @observatoriodg.bsky.social
👉 counter-balance.org/news/the-gre...
It’s time to redirect public finance toward systems that serve people and the planet.🌍🌳
📝 Read the full blog by Clàudia Custodio from @observatoriodg.bsky.social
👉 counter-balance.org/news/the-gre...
September 29, 2025 at 9:12 AM
5/
It’s time to redirect public finance toward systems that serve people and the planet.🌍🌳
📝 Read the full blog by Clàudia Custodio from @observatoriodg.bsky.social
👉 counter-balance.org/news/the-gre...
It’s time to redirect public finance toward systems that serve people and the planet.🌍🌳
📝 Read the full blog by Clàudia Custodio from @observatoriodg.bsky.social
👉 counter-balance.org/news/the-gre...
4/
Meanwhile, real solutions, like public transport, shared mobility, and walkable cities, remain underfunded. 🟢🚈🚉
We should invest in mobility for all, not just in new ways to sell cars. ❌🚘
Meanwhile, real solutions, like public transport, shared mobility, and walkable cities, remain underfunded. 🟢🚈🚉
We should invest in mobility for all, not just in new ways to sell cars. ❌🚘
September 29, 2025 at 9:10 AM
4/
Meanwhile, real solutions, like public transport, shared mobility, and walkable cities, remain underfunded. 🟢🚈🚉
We should invest in mobility for all, not just in new ways to sell cars. ❌🚘
Meanwhile, real solutions, like public transport, shared mobility, and walkable cities, remain underfunded. 🟢🚈🚉
We should invest in mobility for all, not just in new ways to sell cars. ❌🚘
3/
These minerals are often extracted through destructive mining in communities that won’t even benefit from "green mobility". 🏭🩸
The result? Green extractivism funded by public money. 💸
These minerals are often extracted through destructive mining in communities that won’t even benefit from "green mobility". 🏭🩸
The result? Green extractivism funded by public money. 💸
September 29, 2025 at 9:09 AM
3/
These minerals are often extracted through destructive mining in communities that won’t even benefit from "green mobility". 🏭🩸
The result? Green extractivism funded by public money. 💸
These minerals are often extracted through destructive mining in communities that won’t even benefit from "green mobility". 🏭🩸
The result? Green extractivism funded by public money. 💸
2/
The push for mass EV production is driving a surge in demand for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, to sustain Europe’s consumption patterns.
Meanwhile, the EU, with just 6% of the world’s population, already consumes 25–30% of global metals. ⚠️🌍
The push for mass EV production is driving a surge in demand for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, to sustain Europe’s consumption patterns.
Meanwhile, the EU, with just 6% of the world’s population, already consumes 25–30% of global metals. ⚠️🌍
September 29, 2025 at 9:09 AM
2/
The push for mass EV production is driving a surge in demand for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, to sustain Europe’s consumption patterns.
Meanwhile, the EU, with just 6% of the world’s population, already consumes 25–30% of global metals. ⚠️🌍
The push for mass EV production is driving a surge in demand for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, to sustain Europe’s consumption patterns.
Meanwhile, the EU, with just 6% of the world’s population, already consumes 25–30% of global metals. ⚠️🌍
1/
🚗💸 Governments are pumping public money into the electric vehicle (EV) industry, but is this the transition we need?
Clàudia Custodio from
@observatoriodg.bsky.social wrote a powerful blog on this topic in our website, check it out here: counter-balance.org/news/the-gre...
A thread 🧵
🚗💸 Governments are pumping public money into the electric vehicle (EV) industry, but is this the transition we need?
Clàudia Custodio from
@observatoriodg.bsky.social wrote a powerful blog on this topic in our website, check it out here: counter-balance.org/news/the-gre...
A thread 🧵
September 29, 2025 at 9:08 AM
1/
🚗💸 Governments are pumping public money into the electric vehicle (EV) industry, but is this the transition we need?
Clàudia Custodio from
@observatoriodg.bsky.social wrote a powerful blog on this topic in our website, check it out here: counter-balance.org/news/the-gre...
A thread 🧵
🚗💸 Governments are pumping public money into the electric vehicle (EV) industry, but is this the transition we need?
Clàudia Custodio from
@observatoriodg.bsky.social wrote a powerful blog on this topic in our website, check it out here: counter-balance.org/news/the-gre...
A thread 🧵
🗓️ On 1st October, from 19:00 - 20:30 – Film screening & discussion
Where? Mundo Matongé, Rue d’Edimbourg 26, 1050 Ixelles.
No registration needed. Drinks will be provided after the event, until they run out!
Where? Mundo Matongé, Rue d’Edimbourg 26, 1050 Ixelles.
No registration needed. Drinks will be provided after the event, until they run out!
September 25, 2025 at 12:19 PM
🗓️ On 1st October, from 19:00 - 20:30 – Film screening & discussion
Where? Mundo Matongé, Rue d’Edimbourg 26, 1050 Ixelles.
No registration needed. Drinks will be provided after the event, until they run out!
Where? Mundo Matongé, Rue d’Edimbourg 26, 1050 Ixelles.
No registration needed. Drinks will be provided after the event, until they run out!
5)
🔎 Transparency builds trust.
➡️ The EIB must disclose detailed data on climate & environmental spending, project by project, to ensure accountability.
🔎 Transparency builds trust.
➡️ The EIB must disclose detailed data on climate & environmental spending, project by project, to ensure accountability.
September 25, 2025 at 8:33 AM
5)
🔎 Transparency builds trust.
➡️ The EIB must disclose detailed data on climate & environmental spending, project by project, to ensure accountability.
🔎 Transparency builds trust.
➡️ The EIB must disclose detailed data on climate & environmental spending, project by project, to ensure accountability.
4)
🌍 Climate justice is global.
➡️ The EIB should boost climate finance outside the EU, through concessional loans that reduce energy poverty and create local jobs.
🌍 Climate justice is global.
➡️ The EIB should boost climate finance outside the EU, through concessional loans that reduce energy poverty and create local jobs.
September 25, 2025 at 8:33 AM
4)
🌍 Climate justice is global.
➡️ The EIB should boost climate finance outside the EU, through concessional loans that reduce energy poverty and create local jobs.
🌍 Climate justice is global.
➡️ The EIB should boost climate finance outside the EU, through concessional loans that reduce energy poverty and create local jobs.
3)
🏘️ A just transition means strong public services.
➡️ The EIB must support local governments in delivering affordable housing, clean energy, and sustainable transport for all.
🏘️ A just transition means strong public services.
➡️ The EIB must support local governments in delivering affordable housing, clean energy, and sustainable transport for all.
September 25, 2025 at 8:33 AM
3)
🏘️ A just transition means strong public services.
➡️ The EIB must support local governments in delivering affordable housing, clean energy, and sustainable transport for all.
🏘️ A just transition means strong public services.
➡️ The EIB must support local governments in delivering affordable housing, clean energy, and sustainable transport for all.
2)
🏦 Public money should not de-risk polluting business models.
➡️ Guarantees and loans must go only to companies that reinvest in full decarbonisation and sustainable, affordable solutions.
🏦 Public money should not de-risk polluting business models.
➡️ Guarantees and loans must go only to companies that reinvest in full decarbonisation and sustainable, affordable solutions.
September 25, 2025 at 8:32 AM
2)
🏦 Public money should not de-risk polluting business models.
➡️ Guarantees and loans must go only to companies that reinvest in full decarbonisation and sustainable, affordable solutions.
🏦 Public money should not de-risk polluting business models.
➡️ Guarantees and loans must go only to companies that reinvest in full decarbonisation and sustainable, affordable solutions.
1)
💸 Billions still flow to fossil fuels through exemptions. This undermines the Paris goals.
➡️ The demand: End all fossil fuel exemptions and require Paris-aligned transition plans with binding suspension clauses.
💸 Billions still flow to fossil fuels through exemptions. This undermines the Paris goals.
➡️ The demand: End all fossil fuel exemptions and require Paris-aligned transition plans with binding suspension clauses.
September 25, 2025 at 8:32 AM
1)
💸 Billions still flow to fossil fuels through exemptions. This undermines the Paris goals.
➡️ The demand: End all fossil fuel exemptions and require Paris-aligned transition plans with binding suspension clauses.
💸 Billions still flow to fossil fuels through exemptions. This undermines the Paris goals.
➡️ The demand: End all fossil fuel exemptions and require Paris-aligned transition plans with binding suspension clauses.
19 civil society organisations and labour unions are calling on the @eib.org to put the just transition at the core of its new Climate Bank Roadmap (2026–2030). 🌍✊
Read the Joint Position 👉 counter-balance.org/uploads/file...
Here’s what must change 👇
Read the Joint Position 👉 counter-balance.org/uploads/file...
Here’s what must change 👇
September 25, 2025 at 8:31 AM
19 civil society organisations and labour unions are calling on the @eib.org to put the just transition at the core of its new Climate Bank Roadmap (2026–2030). 🌍✊
Read the Joint Position 👉 counter-balance.org/uploads/file...
Here’s what must change 👇
Read the Joint Position 👉 counter-balance.org/uploads/file...
Here’s what must change 👇
September 11, 2025 at 12:21 PM