News

• SEB sees more demand for World Bank climate bonds

  30 April 2009

  A third World Bank climate bond issue is in the wings, Environmental Finance has learned from the Swedish bank that has placed the previous two issues. And European investors are planning to buy further bonds once the currently high costs of swapping dollars with euros have fallen, according to Christopher Flensborg, a coordinator in SEB's capital markets team.

• HSBC hits €117m for 1st close of green infrastructure fund

  30 April 2009

  HSBC has raised €117 million ($156 million) of a targeted €500 million into its Environmental Infrastructure Fund.

• First Wind scores financing for major Utah project

  30 April 2009

  Californian wind farm developer First Wind has secured $376 million to finance the first phase of a 203.5MW wind farm in Utah, involving a syndicate of nine banks.

• Commission slams 'patchy progress' on EU renewables goals

  30 April 2009

  The EU is unlikely to meet renewable energy targets set for 2010, according to a report by the European Commission, which forecasts renewables will make up 19% of the bloc's electricity supply and 4% of the transport fuels by next year.

• IFC to invest in growth-stage clean-tech firms

  30 April 2009

  The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is to begin lending to growth-stage clean technology companies as part of its efforts to promote environmentally sustainable businesses in developing economies.

• Clean-tech angel investors launch 'network of networks'

  30 April 2009

  Three angel investors have launched a 'network of networks' aimed at boosting the profile of very early-stage investment in clean-tech firms.

• Ethanol sector unites against California's land-use ruling on emissions

  29 April 2009

  Ethanol supporters sharply criticised what they perceive to be unfair treatment of biofuels in California's controversial, new low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS) adopted last week.

• Financial sector lagging badly on ESG – EIRIS

  23 April 2009

  The financial sector is the worst performer in terms of managing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks, and has shown the least improvement over the last three years, according to a study from Ethical Investment Research Services (EIRIS).

• US renewables standard unachievable, say legislators

  23 April 2009

  Several US states would find it impossible to meet a proposed federal standard on renewable energy generation, legislators complained during hearings this week.

• Enel may sell half of renewables business

  23 April 2009

  Italian utility Enel could sell up to 49% of its renewable energy unit, CEO Fulvio Conti said yesterday, to potentially net up to €6 billion ($7.8 billion).