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Inputs sought for 'Stern review' of nature
01 May 2009A major study on the economic importance of nature is seeking business inputs.
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When the market turns
01 May 2009Hopes are high that the environmental technology sector will help lead the world out of recession, with renewable energy playing a central role, underpinned by generous government pump-priming. While opinions are mixed about the true extent of new money for climate-friendly industries in the various government stimulus packages, this additional financing is often augmenting existing support structures – whether through tax-breaks, guaranteed prices for clean power or renewable energy certificate systems. So which stocks are set to benefit? There are a slew of companies and technologies that offer – to a greater or lesser extent – speculative plays on the sector. But there are also a small number of bellwether stocks that analysts believe are most likely to lead the renewable sector out of recession. Below, we profile these leaders, and one stock – Gamesa – that offers a more defensive play on the sector. Reporting by Christopher Cundy, Jess McCabe and Mark Nicholls
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Counting on Copenhagen
01 May 2009Falling prices, uncertain demand, US scepticism and the Copenhagen question hanging over everything – who'd be a CDM project developer? Joshua Speckman reports on a market waiting for direction
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Powering through the downturn
01 May 2009Recession may be taking the pressure off Europe's emission reduction targets, but European power companies are pressing ahead with investment in carbon management, finds Philippa Jones
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Carbon's new frontier
01 May 2009Recent months have seen a dramatic increase in government-to-government trading of Assigned Amount Units – raising fears for their impact on the wider carbon market. Katie Kouchakji reports
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From a marathon to a sprint
01 May 2009Negotiators face a gruelling seven months as they approach what they hope will be a finish line in Copenhagen in December. Tilman Santarius considers the obstacles they must overcome
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Guiding light
01 May 2009The World Bank has long played a pioneering role in carbon finance – and, with new markets and new mechanisms planned for a post-2012 climate agreement, there is plenty of innovation yet to come. Christopher Cundy reports
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An eye on certainty
01 May 2009Profound questions remain unanswered on the when and how of US federal greenhouse gas regulation. But enough clues are emerging to allow for pre-compliance hedging and arbitrage, as Jay McCall explains
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Playing REDD without losing your shirt
01 May 2009Reducing emissions from deforestation will be a crucial part of a post-2012 climate change agreement – and carbon finance is likely to play its part. Martin Berg and Andrew Hedges consider how early movers might position themselves
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Helping the panda escape the bear
01 May 2009Recent falls in the price of CERs has hit project development in China – the engine of the CDM. Hajime Watanabe suggests how China's authorities might respond