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Catastrophe bond market bounces back
01 April 2009Insurance companies successfully sponsored $575 million of natural catastrophe (cat) bonds in the first quarter of 2009, marking the end of a six-month hiatus caused by the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the general malaise in financial markets.
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Warning issued on government carbon trades
01 April 2009Government-to-government sales of Kyoto Protocol carbon emissions allowances have been steadily gathering momentum, with three deals signed in March – including the largest single such sale to date – prompting industry body the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) to caution on how the proceeds are used.
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VCS registry launched
01 April 2009The first Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) credits were issued last month, following the long-awaited launch of registries for the offset standard.
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Germany, UK reveal large EUA shortfalls
01 April 2009The UK and Germany have posted a "staggering" EU allowance (EUA) shortfall, representing more than 140 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (tCO2) for last year – with more installations yet to report.
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Climate Exchange profits up
01 April 2009Pre-tax profits more than trebled at Climate Exchange, operator of the leading US and European carbon exchanges, as volumes continue to grow.
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VeraSun ethanol plants in Nebraska could restart soon, claims state agency
01 April 2009Nebraska's ethanol sector could get a boost from the auction of bankrupt VeraSun Energy as three of the company's idled facilities could restart soon, according to Todd Sneller, administrator of the Nebraska Ethanol Board in Lincoln.
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Water quality trading likely to grow – WRI
26 March 2009Growing problems over water quality means more trading programmes are likely to be introduced, according to a study from the World Resources Institute. But, to be effective, they must have strong drivers to create demand for credits
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NGOs applaud Standard Chartered's environmental policies
26 March 2009Leading emerging markets bank Standard Chartered has unveiled what is understood to be one of the banking sector's most comprehensive sets of environmental and social sector position statements – and has received a ringing endorsement from leading NGOs.
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Danish pension giant launches $900m clean energy, forestry bet
26 March 2009Danish pension fund ATP has announced a $400 million investment in renewable energy private equity firm Hudson Clean Energy, and has made its first investment out of a $500 million pot for sustainable forestry.
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US DOE guarantees first loan to solar energy firm
26 March 2009The US Department of Energy (DOE) has kick started its loan guarantee programme for renewable energy projects and provided a welcome boost to the solar industry, which is facing weak first-quarter sales.