News

  • 'Subsidised' renewables seeing a fraction of largesse given to oil & gas, nuclear

    21 December 2011

    US support for renewable energy pales in comparison to subsidies and tax benefits historically enjoyed by the oil and gas and nuclear sectors, according to a new study.

  • NAB and Rabobank lead the way on natural capital

    20 December 2011

    Rabobank of the Netherlands and National Australia Bank (NAB) are the first signatories of the Natural Capital Declaration, a statement of intent to work towards recognising the value of ecosystem services in financial products and services.

  • Ecotricity beats target for second ecobond

    20 December 2011

    UK renewable energy utility Ecotricity has again beaten its fundraising target for its latest ecobond – although a leading advisor has raised a red flag over its corporate governance.

  • EU carbon price rockets 30% on set-aside vote

    20 December 2011

    The European Parliament's environment committee has voted to cut the supply of EU carbon allowances, causing the carbon price to climb as high as €9.75, a 32% increase on yesterday's close.

  • EcoSecurities co-founder launches Brazilian environmental exchange

    20 December 2011

    Carbon markets pioneer Pedro Moura Costa is helping to set up a government-backed environmental exchange in Brazil to host markets in carbon, recycling, water quality and forestry credits.

  • Near record-high catastrophe claims in 2011

    19 December 2011

    This year is set to see the second highest insured losses from natural and man-made catastrophes in history, at $108 billion, according to preliminary estimates by reinsurer Swiss Re.

  • BlackRock clean energy fund eyes push into nat gas, after tough year

    16 December 2011

    The managers of BlackRock's New Energy Investment Trust are looking at diversifying into natural gas following a year when the fund's share price fell 26.7%, against a drop of 1.3% in its performance benchmark index.

  • Energy companies push for higher carbon prices

    16 December 2011

    Some of Europe's biggest energy and manufacturing companies have called for a strengthening of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), in the wake of the release of the European Commission's energy roadmap and ahead of a key vote on the EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED).

  • Shareholders should beef-up tactics on engagement

    16 December 2011

    Environmental and social resolutions can be effective tools for driving change at corporations, but more aggressive strategies should be incorporated into the shareholder engagement movement, experts said.

  • US lagging on ESG due to legal, fiduciary red herrings

    15 December 2011

    The US is falling behind other countries and regions in integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into mainstream investment decisions, largely due to perceived legal or fiduciary risks, experts said.