News

• EIB issues $148m climate bond

  24 April 2012

  The European Investment Bank (EIB) has issued a SEK (Swedish krona) 1 billion ($148 million) 'green' bond, in participation with two new underwriters.

• Co-chairs weaken Rio+20's call for sustainability reporting

  24 April 2012

  The call for companies to report on sustainability issues has been watered down in the most recent text to emerge ahead of the landmark Rio+20 sustainable development summit.

• Addressing resource scarcity brings rewards – King

  23 April 2012

  There are "huge advantages and opportunities" for business and finance in responsible resource management, according to former UK chief scientist David King.

• Camco's consulting arm relaunches

  23 April 2012

  The UK arm of consultancy business formerly owned by Camco International is relaunching today under the name Verco.

• Maplecroft names most climate-innovative US companies

  23 April 2012

  General Electric (GE), aluminium producer Alcoa and automotive supplier Johnson Controls have been named the leading US companies in terms of clean-technology innovation and business adaptation to climate change, by risk analysis firm Maplecroft.

• WestLB pledges not to finance Arctic, Antarctic offshore drilling

  20 April 2012

  WestLB will not provide finance to any offshore oil and gas drilling in the Arctic or Antarctic, according to a new environmental policy that is understood to be the first of its kind.

• Superfund extension, EPA enforcement prompting environmental insurance interest

  20 April 2012

  Tougher enforcement of existing environmental regulations and proposed rules targeting new industries could propel purchases of environmental insurance in the US, according to insurance experts.

• Renewables losses confound US utilities

  19 April 2012

  Utilities new to renewable energy generation have been surprised by the frequency of losses at wind and solar projects and, while insurance is available, only a handful of players offer coverage specifically designed for the sector.

• Fund to invest €45m in African carbon credits

  19 April 2012

  French institutions have collaborated with the West Africa Development Bank to launch a fund that will invest in carbon credits from projects that reduce emissions in Africa.

• Phaunos Timber Fund stung by strengthening dollar

  19 April 2012

  Sustainable timber investment company Phaunos Timber Fund reported a $9.6 million loss in 2011, reversing 2010's $20.7 million profit, largely due to paper losses on its foreign currency conversions and revaluation of its assets.