News

• IEA members 'not on track' on energy efficiency

  22 October 2009

  "More action is needed" by International Energy Agency (IEA) member countries on energy efficiency, according to a new report from the agency.

• Aviation, shipping in EU's sights as it sets out Copenhagen stance

  21 October 2009

  EU environment ministers have set out the bloc's position on shipping and aviation emissions for the Copenhagen climate talks – but have failed to agree on the treatment of Assigned Amount Units (AAUs).

• Methodology opens way for carbon credits for biodiesel plantations

  21 October 2009

  Biodiesel crop plantations will now be eligible for carbon credits under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol of the United Nations, following approval of a new methodology last week. However, developers said that few plantations were likely to be eligible, as the conditions are restrictive.

• Extension mooted for successful US renewables grants

  15 October 2009

  The US government's grant programme for renewable energy projects has been extremely effective, boosting developer hopes for an extension. But the loan guarantee programme may be less successful because of its restrictive provisions, said delegates at a wind energy industry meeting this week

• UK needs 'step change' to meet carbon budgets – CCC

  15 October 2009

  Policy-makers must not allow the recession to cloud the need for a "step change" in action on climate change, the committee responsible for setting the UK government's carbon budget has warned.

• Soros to invest $1bn in clean-tech

  15 October 2009

  Billionaire hedge fund manager George Soros has said he will invest $1 billion in clean technology, in a bid to tackle climate change.

• Robeco raising third clean-tech fund

  15 October 2009

  Dutch investment manager Robeco is raising capital into its third clean-tech private equity fund-of-funds, according to its global head of private equity.

• ICAO considers emissions trading for aviation sector

  15 October 2009

  The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from aviation through market-based measures, improved fuel efficiency and use of biofuels, ahead of December's UN climate talks.

• Southern buys $475–500m biomass power project in Texas

  14 October 2009

  US electricity utility Southern Company is buying a $475m–500m, 100MW biomass power project in Texas from developer American Renewables as part of its plan to expand its biomass generating capacity.

• FRR calculates climate risk to asset classes

  08 October 2009

  Long-term investors should consider shifting out of equities and into bonds, unless they believe ambitious efforts to tackle climate change are likely, a working paper by French pension fund Fonds de Reserve pour les Retraites (FRR) suggests.