News

• RiskMetrics makes second ESG acquisition this year

  05 November 2009

  RiskMetrics has bought socially responsible investment (SRI) pioneer KLD Research & Analytics for $10 million, in the latest sign of consolidation in the SRI research space.

• US Ex-Im adopts carbon policy

  05 November 2009

  The US Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank has adopted what it claims is the first comprehensive carbon policy for an export credit agency (ECA) and has set up a $250 million facility to back renewables exports. However, environmental NGOs said the policy lacks ambition – and merely reflects a legal settlement Ex-Im agreed earlier in the year.

• EIB sells $320m of green bonds to Scandinavian investors

  05 November 2009

  The European Investment Bank (EIB) has sold a total of SEK2.25 billion ($320 million) in bonds to Scandinavian investors, the proceeds of which will be used to finance renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

• RWE makes Denmark-sized mistake in CO2 emissions

  05 November 2009

  German energy giant RWE overstated its own carbon dioxide emissions by 70 million tonnes – equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of Denmark – in a report this year because of a classification mistake.

• People moves

  01 November 2009

  Matthew Kiernan has left New York-based financial research and advisory firm RiskMetrics Group to pursue other opportunities in the field of sustainable investment.

• PWC, investors to study water, climate effects on munis

  01 November 2009

  A study is under way to examine how water shortages and climate change could affect the value of US municipal bonds.

• Triodos raising €90m to double sustainable lending

  01 November 2009

  Triodos Bank is seeking €90 million ($133 million) in fresh capital to double its loan portfolio, as it reports "unprecedented interest" in its approach to banking after the financial crisis.

• Flurry of deal-making hits solar sector

  01 November 2009

  Chinese solar thin-film manufacturer Trony Solar Holdings could raise up to $200 million through a listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the latest in a cluster of solar deals to emerge in recent weeks.

• SEC guidance to ease climate change resolutions

  01 November 2009

  Investors will now find it easier to demand climate change disclosures from US-listed companies, following a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) decision on 27 October.

• German coalition steers away from solar tariff cuts

  01 November 2009

  The recently elected German coalition government has dropped plans for major cuts to solar photovoltaic (PV) feed-in tariffs.