News

• SEC tells US firms to disclose climate risks

  01 February 2010

  After substantial prodding from investor advocates, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will provide guidance to companies about what they must tell their investors about climate risks and opportunities.

• Renewable energy investment defies financial crisis

  01 February 2010

  Almost 10GW of wind energy capacity was added last year in the US, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), breaking all records – and despite the global economic strife in 2009.

• Financing questions cloud UK's gargantuan offshore wind plan

  01 February 2010

  A potential 32GW of offshore wind capacity could be developed in the UK after the government granted rights to nine coastal zones – but questions remain over how these projects will be financed.

• OPIC to slash portfolio emissions 50%

  01 February 2010

  The US has introduced legislation requiring the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) to slash greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the projects it invests in by 50% over the next 15 years. markets.

• Longyuan float to be followed by other China wind plays

  01 February 2010

  The successful stock market flotation by China's largest wind power developer, China Longyuan Power Group, is expected to open the way for other Chinese wind energy companies to tap international investor appetite for the sector.

• Climate change worsens natural catastrophe rate – Munich Re

  01 February 2010

  Losses from natural catastrophes were dramatically lower in 2009 than the previous year, owing mainly to a benign North American hurricane season, according to Munich Re.

• German ministers reach consensus on solar tariff cuts

  01 February 2010

  Key German government ministers have agreed to make double-digit cuts to solar feed-in tariffs (FITs), to the dismay of the German solar industry.

• Japanese investors tapped for green bonds

  01 February 2010

  Nikko Asset Management is to launch a fund this month offering Japanese retail investors exposure to 'green' bonds issued by the World Bank.

• Australian real estate funds lead green rankings

  01 February 2010

  Australian property firms and funds top a new index measuring green policies and implementation, released last month.

• US sulphur emissions continue their fall

  01 February 2010

  US sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions have continued their sharp decline, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).