News

• Germany challenges Commission over EU ETS

  01 October 2008

  Pressure is building to give European industry an easier ride in the third phase of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Germany is challenging Commission proposals to slash the free allocation of allowances, while an influential European parliamentary committee has called for greater use of overseas carbon credits.

• People moves this month

  01 October 2008

  RETO RINGGER is to leave Sustainable Asset Management, the Swiss sustainable investment advisory firm he founded 1995, to "pursue new opportunities in the field of sustainability". He will resign as CEO in February 2009 and a successor will be announced in due course, the company said. A profile of Ringger appears on page 28 of this issue.

• IFC and GRI to promote emerging markets reporting

  01 October 2008

  The World Bank's private sector arm and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) have launched a project to encourage sustainability reporting in emerging markets.

• SAM names sustainability leaders

  01 October 2008

  Sustainable Asset Management (SAM) has given Yvon Chouinard, co-founder of outdoor clothing and gear firm Patagonia, its annual sustainability leadership award. Hunter Lovins, founder and president of Natural Capitalism, and co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute, was recognised with its sustainability pioneer award.

• EU ETS may cost airlines €3 billion a year

  01 October 2008

  Airlines could be landed with a bill of €3 billion ($4.2 billion) a year once they are included in the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), according to a report by Merrill Lynch.

• US?renewables industry looks to new energy bill

  01 September 2008

  The latest effort to renew the production tax credit (PTC) for the renewable energy industry stalled in the US Senate on 30 July, when supporters fell short of the 60 votes needed to stop debate. However, an extension to the PTC is to be incorporated into a compromise energy bill likely to be introduced in September.

• US cities sign up to carbon disclosure

  01 September 2008

  Dozens of US cities will measure and disclose their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in a new carbon disclosure initiative designed to replicate the benefits similar projects have created in the corporate sector.

• EPA backs US biofuel mandate

  01 September 2008

  The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has refused a request by Texas to halve the country's Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) mandate, but there could be more attempts to water down the target.

• World Bank blames biofuel boom for food price rises

  01 September 2008

  A World Bank study has said large increases in biofuels production in the US and Europe are the biggest cause of rises in food prices around the globe since January 2002.

• KLD launches bond index

  01 September 2008

  KLD Research & Analytics has launched an index family tracking bonds issued by US corporations with strong environmental, social governance (ESG) performance, branching out from equity indexes for the first time.