News

• Standard to aid companies on climate reporting

  28 May 2009

  Corporations wanting to report data relevant to climate change now have a standard procedure to follow, with the launch of a draft framework by the Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB) this week.

• IEA confirms renewables recession woes

  28 May 2009

  Investments in renewable energy are expected to drop 38% in 2009 thanks in part to the financial crisis, according to a report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) for the G8 energy ministers' meeting in Rome this week.

• Signet Solar gets module cover from Munich Re and Marsh

  28 May 2009

  Insurance broker Marsh and Munich Re are insuring Signet Solar's photovoltaic (PV) modules against deterioration in performance, through what they claim is a first-of-its-kind policy.

• Brazil boosts biodiesel blending requirement to 4%

  27 May 2009

  Biodiesel producers in Brazil cheered the government's decision last week to increase the compulsory biodiesel blend from 3% (B3) to 4% of diesel fuel, beginning on 1 July.

• Investors call for stronger carbon market

  21 May 2009

  An alliance of institutional investors managing €4 trillion in assets has called for carbon markets to be strengthened and broadened – but is also calling for alternative policies to attract climate-related investments in developing countries.

• Waxman moves House closer to Senate on renewables

  21 May 2009

  The loosening of renewable energy targets in the proposed US House of Representatives climate and energy bill brings its provisions closer to Senate renewables proposals – making federal targets more likely, say observers.

• Faulty turbines deepen losses at Clipper Windpower

  21 May 2009

  Losses widened to $313.3 million at Clipper Windpower in 2008, as the wind turbine maker was forced to spend $300 million over two years fixing faults.

• Energy chiefs bullish on renewable support

  21 May 2009

  Senior executives in the energy industry predict that subsidies for renewable energy will increase during the next year, despite economic troubles that have plagued the globe, according to a KPMG mergers and acquisitions (M&A) report.

• Biopetrol chief slams German government for bringing biodiesel sector low

  20 May 2009

  The chief executive of biodiesel producer Biopetrol Industries launched a stinging attack on Germany's politicians – including the Chancellor Angela Merkel – for almost destroying the country's biodiesel sector through double standards, egoism, bowing to special interests and politicking.

• EU, US renewables growth outstrips conventional sources

  14 May 2009

  More renewable energy than conventional power capacity was added in both the EU and the US for the first time in 2008, according to the annual report from stakeholder group REN21.