Archive

  • Weathering the storm

    01 April 2009

    In the last quarter of 2008, the global financial crisis finally hit the catastrophe bond market. As bond issuance begins to resume, Beat Holliger explains how the market is learning the lessons from Lehman Brothers' default

  • The case for allocating carbon allowances

    01 April 2009

    The US power sector stands ready to contribute to the nation's efforts to slash greenhouse gas emissions – but any cap-and-trade programme must allocate, not auction allowances, says Thomas Kuhn

  • Seeing the wood for the trees

    01 April 2009

    As the US prepares to regulate carbon emissions, the links between business and the environmental movement – such as those forged by Glenn Prickett – will become crucial. Gloria Gonzalez reports

  • Weather risk volumes drop as speculators rein in activity

    01 April 2009

    The financial crisis has taken its toll on the weather risk markets, with 2008 trading volumes on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) dropping 16% compared with the previous year, as hedge funds and financial institutions reduced their activity. However, participants report a healthy level of transactions with 'end-users' – the ultimate users of weather risk products.

  • Auction, EPA reveal doubts over SO2 and NOx markets

    01 April 2009

    An auction of US sulphur dioxide (SO2) allow­ances for use in 2016 cleared at $6.63/ton, a level well below most market expectations and one that reflects the increasing uncertainty about the future of existing US emissions markets.

  • Jupiter calls off launch of China sustainability fund

    01 April 2009

    Jupiter Asset Management has postponed its planned China Sustainable Growth fund as commitments from investors failed to reach $50 million, seen as the minimum launch size.

  • Danish pension giant sees inflation hedge in climate investments

    01 April 2009

    Danish pension fund ATP has announced a $400 million allocation to renewable energy private equity firm Hudson Clean Energy, and has made its first investment out of a $500 million pot for sustainable forestry.

  • Consensus sells down clean-tech portfolio

    01 April 2009

    The UK-based Consensus Business Group, which made a big splash into clean technology investment in 2006, has been selling down its clean-tech investment portfolio to shift assets into property.

  • US outlines proposals for national GHG reporting

    01 April 2009

    The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rel­eased its proposals for mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions last month, setting in train a crucial underpinning of any carbon cap-and-trade system.

  • US DOE guarantees first loan under renewables programme

    01 April 2009

    The US Department of Energy (DOE) has kickstarted its loan guarantee programme for renewable energy projects, providing a welcome boost to the solar industry.