News

• Wermuth reaches €110m first close for Tatarstan-focused clean-tech fund

  02 February 2012

  Wermuth Asset Management has raised €110 million ($144 million) into a fund to invest in clean-tech companies targeting the Russian Federation, with a focus on Tatarstan.

• South African renewable energy fund attracts large development banks

  02 February 2012

  A private equity fund investing in renewable energy in southern Africa has attracted investment from development banks including the German Development Finance Institution and Dutch development bank FMO.

• US clean-tech VC dips in 2011 – Ernst & Young

  02 February 2012

  The value of clean-tech venture capital investments in the US fell slightly last year after a slower fourth quarter, according to consulting firm Ernst & Young.

• Multinationals failing to push emissions reductions down supply chain

  01 February 2012

  Multinational companies are failing to encourage similar levels of emissions reductions in their supply chains as they are managing in their own operations – despite high levels of supply-chain climate risk.

• MSCI launches ESG sovereign ratings

  01 February 2012

  Index provider MSCI has launched sovereign environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings to complement traditional analysis of the credit worthiness of 90 countries.

• Headwinds seen for clean energy but 2012 to break records for clean-tech

  01 February 2012

  The clean-tech sector is primed for a record-setting year of investments in 2012, following robust growth in 2011 despite difficult conditions, according to a leading analysis firm. Meanwhile, clean energy investment and carbon markets (see below) had record years in 2011, although both face challenges.

• US solar tariffs would hammer sector, economy – Brattle Group

  31 January 2012

  The imposition of tariffs on Chinese solar imports by the US would have a "devastating" effect on the sector and the overall economy, which could be worsened if the Chinese retaliate, according to a new report.

• Green fillip needed as we enter 'age of bonds'

  31 January 2012

  We are entering "the age of bonds" as a result of current financial crisis, Sean Kidney, CEO of the Climate Bonds Initiative, told a side event at the World Economic Forum in Davos last Thursday.

• Aviva SRI cull 'part of wider fund management trend'

  31 January 2012

  The announcement yesterday by insurer Aviva that it is to close its sustainable and responsible investment (SRI) equities desk is part of a wider realignment of the fund management industry, and does not reflect on the health of the SRI market, according to the head of UKSIF.

• Spain's renewables subsidy cut to benefit green utilities – analysts

  31 January 2012

  The decision by Spain's government to suspend its renewable energy subsidy scheme will add to pressure on developers and equipment manufacturers, but is likely to be a positive for the country's clean energy generators, according to analysts.