News

• Dangerous chemicals list sparks concern for investors

  12 May 2011

  Investors are increasingly concerned about how companies are complying with the EU chemicals legislation REACH and whether they are looking to phase out potentially dangerous chemicals, experts said.

• Lack of financing holding up business energy efficiency investment

  12 May 2011

  Funding remains the biggest barrier to energy efficiency investment in Europe, a survey of more than 800 business leaders has found, but industry commentators say increased availability of funding mechanisms, such as energy performance contracting and municipal bond programmes, will promote investment.

• Boost energy efficiency for free

  12 May 2011

  Improved education and a greater focus on supply chain management can accelerate energy efficiency improvement in the manufacturing process, with some strategies not costing a cent, say industry and UN commentators.

• UK consults on mandatory reporting for carbon emissions

  11 May 2011

  Large businesses in the UK could be required to report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, under plans set out by the country's Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

• Japanese think-tank proposes 'low-carbon recovery bonds'

  11 May 2011

  The Japanese government should issue several hundred billion dollars worth of 'low-carbon recovery bonds' to fund renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in the wake of the recent earthquake and tsunami, according to a leading environmental think-tank.

• Nobao revives plan for $300m US listing

  10 May 2011

  Renewable heat and cooling firm Nobao Renewable Energy has resuscitated plans to raise $300 million through a listing on the New York Stock Exchange.

• UK renewables industry warns against any loosening of offshore targets

  09 May 2011

  The UK government should ignore calls from a key advisory committee to ease back on its 2020 offshore wind energy targets, or risk deterring investors, according to the body representing the UK renewable energy sector.

• Italy slashes 2011 solar support by 10-19%

  09 May 2011

  Italian solar developers will have until the end of this month to connect to the grid if they are to qualify for existing incentive rates, after the government announced it will slash support mechanisms and place a funding cap on incentives for larger plants.

• Clean-tech investors chase millions for Asian strategies

  06 May 2011

  A slew of venture capital and private equity funds are raising money into clean-tech funds focused on Asia.

• 'Rainforest bond' aiming to monetise REDD+ credits

  06 May 2011

  A multilateral financial institution is understood to be poised to issue a first-of-its-kind 'rainforest bond' which would repay investors based on returns from the ecosystem services provided by the area of rainforest.