News

• Advanced biofuels projects win flurry of US loan guarantees

  26 January 2011

  The US government is stepping up its support for advanced biofuels, with two federal agencies providing loan guarantees worth hundreds of millions, but the sector still faces funding and technology issues that are challenging its ability to scale-up operations.

• BP forecasts huge growth in energy demand, carbon by 2030

  26 January 2011

  Global policy and technology efforts aimed at reducing emissions are not doing enough to set the world on a safe carbon path, according to BP, which predicts global emissions in 2030 will be 27% higher than today.

• Shareholders tell gas firms to 'frack' off

  26 January 2011

  Shareholder resolutions related to natural gas "fracking" practices have proven more popular and sometimes more effective in changing energy company practices than similar resolutions, partly due to tremendous media scrutiny, investor advocates said.

• Renewable energy fund targets UK private investors

  26 January 2011

  Guinness Asset Management is aiming to raise £10 million ($16 million) from tax-paying UK citizens for a fund that will invest in renewable energy assets.

• Dow, Nature Conservancy strike $10m ecosystem services research deal

  25 January 2011

  Dow Chemical is to spend $10 million on a project to help companies measure the value of services provided by nature, and incorporate this into their planning.

• US wind power installation halved in 2010 – AWEA

  25 January 2011

  Half as much wind capacity was built in the US in 2010 than in 2009, according to figures from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

• Sustainable private bank launched by SAM founder opens its doors

  25 January 2011

  Globalance, the sustainable investment private bank set up by responsible investment pioneer Reto Ringger, has received its banking license from Swiss banking authority FINMA and has named its board of directors.

• Triodos sees another 30% growth in 2011

  20 January 2011

  Triodos Bank expects to increase its UK loan book by 30% this year, following 26% growth in 2010, according to its head of business banking.

• Ontario feed-in tariff under the axe

  20 January 2011

  A change in the Ontario government this fall could spell the end of the province's generous feed-in tariff (FIT) programme, one of the most attractive programmes for financing renewable energy projects in North America.

• Wind energy sector to offer stamp of approval to consumers

  20 January 2011

  Corporate and wind energy groups this week launched a global consumer label which identifies companies that make products using wind energy.