ESG

A collection of 26 posts

Romania powers up its largest EV hub to support EU Green Deal transport targets

Romania powers up its largest EV hub to support EU Green Deal transport targets

In a new step in the cleaner transport transition, OMV Petrom has inaugurated Romania's largest electric vehicle (EV) hub with 34 charging points of up to 400kW on the A1 motorway near Miercurea Sibiului, central Romania. The site is located on the Rhine-Danube Corridor - one of Romania’

Europe’s trilemma: rearmament, green transition, competitiveness

Europe’s trilemma: rearmament, green transition, competitiveness

European leaders met in Brussels on 20 March to confront a mounting policy dilemma: how to balance rearmament, the green transition, and economic competitiveness. The discussions come amid slowing growth, high energy costs, and growing strategic insecurity — all while EU fiscal rules remain in place. At the heart of the

EU probes Hungarian subsidies to BYD under new foreign subsidies rules

EU probes Hungarian subsidies to BYD under new foreign subsidies rules

The European Commission (EC) has launched an inquiry into state support provided by Hungary to Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD, as part of a broader investigation into foreign subsidies distorting competition in the EU. The preliminary probe, initiated on 19 March 2025, comes under the EU’s Foreign Subsidies

EU unveils strategy to compete with China, US

EU unveils strategy to compete with China, US

The European Commission (EC) unveiled its flagship “Competitiveness Compass” initiative on 29 January, the first major project of its 2024-29 term. The initiative is designed to serve as a strategic roadmap to foster innovation in sectors such as AI, semiconductors, quantum tech and biotechnology in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)

What Trump presidency means for CEE

What Trump presidency means for CEE

US President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony on Monday, 20 January, broke with tradition and extended invitations to political leaders. However, footage of former Poland prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki attempting to cross a barricade into the ceremony site by showing US National Guard members his Wikipedia page, which went viral

OTP wins big at CEE bank of the year awards

OTP wins big at CEE bank of the year awards

Hungarian banking group OTP’s subsidiaries in Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovenia were ranked as the best banks in their respective countries at the Bank of the Year 2024 Awards organised by The Banker magazine. The UK-based outlet, part of the Financial Times Group, said it chose the winning banks

RegioJet CEE’s best rail operator - T&E report

RegioJet CEE’s best rail operator - T&E report

Czechia’s RegioJet is the top-performing rail operator in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) for cost and quality, according to the latest report of the European Federation for Transport and Environment, or Transport & Environment (T&E). In the report T&E, an umbrella organisation for green and

FDI paints rosier picture for Poland, Romania - OECD report

FDI paints rosier picture for Poland, Romania - OECD report

Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries are still navigating post-pandemic economic challenges amid newer geopolitical tensions, according to the Economic Outlook December 2024 report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Inflationary pressures, labour shortages, and weakened demand from key European markets, most notably Germany, are affecting industrial

Hungary's energy strategy has left it vulnerable to electricity price speculators - report

Hungary's energy strategy has left it vulnerable to electricity price speculators - report

Hungary’s electricity market has become a focal point for speculative trading, driven by a combination of renewable energy imbalances and the rise of algorithmic trading, Hungarian media reported. Denmark leads charge in algorithmic trading Danish firms, leveraging advanced forecasting tools, are exploiting price fluctuations in Hungary, which lacks the

CEE mulls ramifications of Trump's victory on trade, defence, environment

CEE mulls ramifications of Trump's victory on trade, defence, environment

As Donald Trump officially declared his victory in the US election, he received congratulations from numerous Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) leaders including Polish President Andrzej Duda and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. However, CEE politicians and observers are now wondering what the leadership change in Washington will bring, as

EU okays Polish EUR 1.2bn state-aided energy-storage project

EU okays Polish EUR 1.2bn state-aided energy-storage project

The European Commission (EC) has greenlit Poland’s USD 1.2bn scheme for projects to increase electricity storage capabilities to foster the transition to a net-zero economy under the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF). The move, approved on October 3, 2024, will aid Poland’s shift away from fossil

Serbian MPs vote against lithium mining ban, as Rio Tinto project edges closer

Serbian MPs vote against lithium mining ban, as Rio Tinto project edges closer

Serbian MPs voted down the enactment of a ban on lithium and boron exploration on Thursday, 10 October. An opposition-tabled House motion had suggested amending the Mining and Geological Research Act but was rejected by 128 MPs opposed, while 84 supported the change and 2 abstained. The Serbian Parliament is

As Serbia mulls lithium mine, Bulgaria, Slovenia explore sodium-ion as alternative

As Serbia mulls lithium mine, Bulgaria, Slovenia explore sodium-ion as alternative

As tens of thousands of Serbians rally in opposition to the contentious lithium mining project planned by company Rio Tinto in Jadar, west Serbia, an alternative is being investigated elsewhere in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). A crucial material for enabling the EU to meet its 2030 climate goals may