Counter Balance has released our 2023 Activity Report, highlighting a year of pushing for greater accountability and transparency in European public finance. Throughout 2023, we challenged public banks to align their investments with climate goals, protect human rights in global infrastructure projects, and prioritise public interest over corporate profits.
Our work exposed the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) ongoing financial ties to fossil fuel giants, with billions flowing to companies undermining the energy transition. We spotlighted how the EIB’s relaxed climate criteria risk greenwashing and how its new transport policy continues to fund polluting projects.
We also raised the alarm on the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, showing how it risks steering development finance towards the EU’s geopolitical interests and private sector gains — often at the expense of communities and sustainable development.
At Counter Balance, we believe European public finance must serve people and the planet, not corporate interests. Our report details the progress made in holding public banks to account and advocating for finance that genuinely supports fair, sustainable futures.
A huge thank you to our donors and partners for making this work possible.
