News

• E&Y marks down leading countries in renewables indexes

  29 May 2012

  Ernst & Young's update of its renewable energy 'Country Attractiveness Indexes' (CAI) paints a bleak short-term picture for the sector, with all five of the top-ranking countries dropping points.

• Water treatment for oil, mining, gas attractive to investors

  29 May 2012

  Investors are increasingly looking at the water treatment sector to tap expected growing demand for new water technologies, especially from the extractive industries.

• Australia's 'green bank' to attract clean energy investors

  28 May 2012

  Australia's proposed A$10 billion ($9.8 billion) Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) is likely to prove the "last piece of the puzzle" in financing large-scale renewable energy projects in the short to medium term – but it should avoid crowding out private investment, an investment banker said.

• Environmentalists cautious on Brazil Forest Code veto

  28 May 2012

  Environmental groups have given a cautious welcome to the decision by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff to veto parts of a bill seeking to weaken protection of the Amazon – but warn that the country's forests remain at risk.

• EU to verify clean-tech performance claims

  25 May 2012

  An EU-led programme to verify the performance claims of new environmental technologies could help companies break into new markets – and help investors in their due diligence.

• Climate bond market slowed by cheaper bank financing

  25 May 2012

  The climate bond market is ready to explode as investors are eager to participate in these transactions, but renewable energy sponsors have preferred to seek financing in the cheaper bank markets, according to a Citigroup official.

• Goldman Sachs to announce low-ball target for renewables finance

  24 May 2012

  Goldman Sachs is to announce a target to make $40 billion of renewable energy investments or financings over the next ten years – implying a lower level of financing by the bank than in the previous six years.

• Citi eyeing solar securitisation deal this year

  24 May 2012

  Citigroup is closing in on a securitisation deal for a residential solar rooftop project this year, according to a company official.

• Climate bond market broader, deeper than assumed – HSBC

  24 May 2012

  The climate-themed bond market is "broader and deeper" than is commonly believed, according to a report from HSBC, which identifies at least $174 billion in issuance – much higher than earlier estimates.

• Rio+20: Water issues 'better integrated' in latest text

  24 May 2012

  Issues around access to water have been reframed in the negotiating text that emerged this week for the Rio+20 sustainable development summit, according to a German official.