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Shifting the burden from goods to bads
20 December 2011It is Australia's move to price carbon, ultimately through a cap-and-trade scheme, that has generated most attention – and controversy. But carbon pricing is just one element of an ambitious reorientation of the tax and benefits system to penalise pollution and reward work, says Australia's climate change minister, Greg Combet
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EU carbon price rockets 30% on set-aside vote
20 December 2011The European Parliament's environment committee has voted to cut the supply of EU carbon allowances, causing the carbon price to climb as high as €9.75, a 32% increase on yesterday's close.
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A balancing act
20 December 2011California's ambitious renewables and carbon targets are set to revolutionise its electricity system, with Cal ISO at its centre. Its CEO Stephen Berberich talks to Felicity Carus
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Finding fault with fracking
20 December 2011Investors are piling into a US natural gas boom built on 'fracking'. But with an uncertain regulatory climate, they would be well advised to keep an eye on potential environmental liabilities, says Tom Mounteer
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EcoSecurities co-founder launches Brazilian environmental exchange
20 December 2011Carbon markets pioneer Pedro Moura Costa is helping to set up a government-backed environmental exchange in Brazil to host markets in carbon, recycling, water quality and forestry credits.
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The smart grid investment opportunity
20 December 2011The roll-out of Europe's smart grid and smart metering will create enormous demand for capital – and a substantial investment opportunity, says Hans Meissner
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Near record-high catastrophe claims in 2011
19 December 2011This year is set to see the second highest insured losses from natural and man-made catastrophes in history, at $108 billion, according to preliminary estimates by reinsurer Swiss Re.
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BlackRock clean energy fund eyes push into nat gas, after tough year
16 December 2011The managers of BlackRock's New Energy Investment Trust are looking at diversifying into natural gas following a year when the fund's share price fell 26.7%, against a drop of 1.3% in its performance benchmark index.
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Energy companies push for higher carbon prices
16 December 2011Some of Europe's biggest energy and manufacturing companies have called for a strengthening of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), in the wake of the release of the European Commission's energy roadmap and ahead of a key vote on the EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED).
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Shareholders should beef-up tactics on engagement
16 December 2011Environmental and social resolutions can be effective tools for driving change at corporations, but more aggressive strategies should be incorporated into the shareholder engagement movement, experts said.