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First signs of a thaw for renewables projects?
01 May 2009The first financings of renewable power projects in 2009 indicate that banks are starting to sign cheques again, but conditions remain tough, according to financiers and market observers.
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Green shoots?
01 May 2009Whisper it softly, but could the worst be over? The financial pages are full of stories suggesting that, according to one piece of data or another, the bottom of the recession may be in sight – or, at least, the precipitous declines over the past two quarters in pretty much every economic indicator may be levelling off.
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China's solar sector set for stimulus
01 May 2009China looks set to begin development of a domestic solar power generation industry, as Beijing prepares to roll out a renewable energy stimulus package with an emphasis on solar power, possibly this month
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People moves this month
01 May 2009Comings and goings in Environmental Finance this month
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CCFE lists REC futures
01 May 2009The Chicago Climate Futures Exchange (CCFE) has listed renewable energy certificate (REC) futures, referenced to RECs to meet renewable portfolio standards (RPS) in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey and a 1,000MWh voluntary REC contract.
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A rainforest rescue plan
01 May 2009Large amounts of money are needed, and soon, to save the world's rainforests. Justin Mundy explains financing proposals put forward by the Prince of Wales Rainforests Project
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Pro bono' efforts to target low-carbon projects
01 May 2009A novel approach to help accelerate reductions of greenhouse gas emissions is being developed by London-based law firm Travers Smith and a group of like-minded UK companies.
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Hydro standards on the block
01 May 2009An industry-led process to develop a sustainability scorecard for dams will add to confusion in the hydropower sector rather than create the predictability that financiers are seeking, argues Peter Bosshard
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Guidelines drawn up to help finance energy efficiency
01 May 2009A set of guidelines to help financial institutions evaluate the risks and quantify the benefits of energy efficiency investments has been launched by the Washington, DC-based non-profit Efficiency Valuation Organization (EVO).
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Learning from the states
01 May 2009A federal renewable energy target – in the shape of a Renewable Portfolio Standard – is just around the corner. Congress can learn from the states when it comes to its design, say Peter Toomey and Eric Thumma