News

• More jitters as France, Spain cut renewables support

  09 December 2010

  Uncertainty about government support for Europe's renewable sector has deepened, with France suspending feed-in tariffs for new solar photovoltaic (PV) installations and Spain slashing subsidies for wind and solar thermal projects.

• €500m boost for China climate projects

  09 December 2010

  The European Investment Bank (EIB) will lend China €500 million ($664.3 million) to fund climate change mitigation projects which are expected to avoid the release of up to 3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) annually.

• US government launches clean energy export push

  09 December 2010

  Eight US government departments have come together in a major push to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency exports, which includes promises of new financing tools.

• EBRD dips toe into green bond market

  09 December 2010

  The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has become the latest multilateral bank to issue a 'green' bond – but at a more modest size than its peers.

• World Bank eyes $100m for carbon market development fund

  09 December 2010

  The World Bank has launched a $100 million facility to help developing countries such as Mexico, Indonesia, China and Chile scale-up carbon market mechanisms.

• BNP Paribas brings new investors into renewables sector

  07 December 2010

  Around half of investors in BNP Paribas' Clean Energy Fund – which closed this week at €427 million ($568 million) – are making their first investments in renewables, according to the head of the French bank's clean energy investing arm.

• UK advisers propose 60% carbon cuts by 2030, radical electricity market reform

  07 December 2010

  The UK must shrink its carbon footprint 60% by 2030 from 1990 levels, an influential committee has recommended, in one of the first attempts to set emissions target for this staging post on the way to 2050.

• US edges towards first wind farms in the Atlantic

  02 December 2010

  The US Atlantic states are making progress toward building the country's first offshore wind projects, but several barriers need to be addressed to propel the sector, according to an NGO report.

• Europe set for 60% low-carbon electricity by 2030

  02 December 2010

  Low-carbon power sources should account for around 60% of European electricity production by 2030, says the industry association Eurelectric.

• 'Misperception of risk' hobbling energy efficiency investment – IEA

  02 December 2010

  Private sector investors perceive higher levels of risk in energy efficiency projects than is actually the case, according the International Energy Agency (IEA), which is proposing a number of measures governments can take to bridge this perception gap.