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A New Financial Hub Supports Green Cities In The EU

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 28, 2024

650 billion euros. That’s how much it will take for the 112 cities in the European Union that aim to switch to green energy and eliminate harmful emissions by 2030. To help raise these funds, the European Union is creating a financial hub that targets private capital.

KEY FACTS

The Climate City Capital Hub is an international financial resource to further support cities, part of the EU’s mission for climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030.
The new hub will give these cities access to cooperation with the European Investment Bank, and help structure financing needs, including pooling projects and presenting them to lenders and investors from the public and private sectors. In addition, this hub is intended to support the process of finalizing deals.
The facility will use guarantees from national governments to attract private finance and bring together small projects that would normally find it difficult to access finance individually. Projects may include energy investment plans, efficient buildings, district heating systems, renewable energy, sustainable mobility, urban renewal and regeneration, water and social infrastructure.
Public and private financing can take many forms, including the creation of local investment funds or the issuance of bonds to finance specific projects. Private investors have already shown interest.

KEY STORY

After 377 cities applied to participate in the program, 100 were selected from the bloc and 12 from the associated countries, which are developing a climate plan with the support of the EU and the non-profit consulting firm Bankers Without Borders. This plan then becomes an investment plan, which is evaluated by the European Commission and independent experts before the city receives a label to confirm this fact. Among those chosen to participate in the program were Sofia and Gabrovo.

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So far, 33 cities have signed their plans, including Lyon, Seville, Malmö, Lisbon and Florence, with more cities expected to be approved in October. 10 cities were announced in October 2023, and another 23 in March this year. Among them are cities in Denmark, Germany, Spain, Austria, Romania, Sweden, Greece, Belgium, Hungary, Portugal, Italy, France, Cyprus and Turkey.

The label is an important stage in the work of cities engaged in processes such as digitalization and carbon neutrality. Of the 33 investment plans presented so far, approximately €114.1 billion have been budgeted for climate action – an average of €3.6 billion per city. The Commission is currently considering another 23 candidates.

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Competition Authority Launches Comprehensive Review of ExxonMobil Cyprus Acquisition

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 16, 2025

Investigation Initiated Over Strategic Acquisition

The Competition Protection Authority has commenced a thorough investigation into the acquisition of ExxonMobil Cyprus Limited’s share capital by Petrolina Holdings Public Ltd through Med Energywise Ltd. This inquiry was formally initiated following a session held on 10 September 2025, after an in-depth review of the pertinent report by the Authority’s Service.

Concerns Over Market Compatibility

Authorities have expressed serious concerns regarding the compatibility of the transaction with established competitive practices. The review indicates that the acquisition may affect several critical petroleum markets, both horizontally and vertically, thereby raising the potential for adverse impacts on market dynamics.

Horizontal Market Dynamics

On the horizontal front, potential effects have been identified in the import market for petroleum products, as well as in both wholesale and retail distribution channels of these products. The consolidation is believed to increase the risk of price rises and coordinated actions, given the direct competitive proximity between Petrolina and ExxonMobil.

Vertical and Adjacent Market Implications

Vertical aspects of the merger are also under close scrutiny. The new entity could restrict competitors’ access to critical infrastructure such as storage facilities, supply channels, and customer bases. These restrictions could further affect the onshore distribution of fuels, the wholesale market for lubricants, and specialized technical services connected with fuel station operations.

Local Market Considerations

Particular attention is being paid to the potential concentration in the retail fuel market. The investigation suggests that a reduced competitive landscape within a four-kilometer radius of the companies’ fuel stations could lead to diminished local competition, adversely impacting consumer prices and options.

Next Steps and Industry Impact

The Competition Protection Authority, which reached a unanimous decision to pursue a full investigation, remains open to submissions from parties that might be affected by this transaction, as mandated by current legislation. A final decision is expected within four months upon receipt of all necessary evidence, potentially setting a significant precedent for future market consolidation cases in the energy sector.