News

• 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).

• Industry welcomes Budget boost for UK low-carbon sector

  23 April 2009

  The UK's 2009 Budget, unveiled yesterday, promises a boost to the development of a low-carbon economy, according to industry groups. Yesterday's announcements, combined with initiatives put forward since last autumn, should enable £10.4 billion ($15.1 billion) of investment in the sector, on top of the £50 billion from existing policies to 2011, said the government.

• EcoSecurities founder quits

  23 April 2009

  The co-founder and president of EcoSecurities, one of the oldest companies in the carbon trading business, has resigned "to pursue other interests", the company announced today.

• Industry gives cautious welcome to UK report on emissions from biomass

  22 April 2009

  Industry has given a qualified welcome to a report from the UK's Environment Agency that calls on the government to consider setting minimum standards for greenhouse gas emissions from biomass projects.

• IFC and FT announce sustainable banking awards shortlist

  16 April 2009

  The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Financial Times have released the shortlist for their annual sustainable banking awards.

• Eurosif calls for EU intervention on ESG disclosure

  16 April 2009

  The EU should force companies and institutional investors to disclose more information on how they are dealing with environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, the European Sustainable Investment Forum (Eurosif) has said.

• Triodos mulling €300 million wind energy securitisation

  16 April 2009

  Ethical bank Triodos is considering securitising a part of its portfolio of loans to renewable energy projects, to allow it to increase its lending to the sector.