News

• E-Synergy launches £30 million fund

  01 February 2007

  UK investment company E-Synergy has launched its £30 million ($59 million) Sustainable Technology Fund. The fund is one of the new UK government-backed Enterprise Capital Funds designed to help small and medium-sized UK companies bridge the 'equity gap', providing investment of between £250,000 and £2 million.

• Mild winter boosts weather trades

  01 February 2007

  A warmer-than-expected winter in the north-eastern US and across most of mainland Europe has boosted trading in the weather risk markets.

• Areva bids for wind turbine maker

  01 February 2007

  French nuclear and electricity transmission firm Areva has made a friendly bid for Repower Systems, the German wind turbine manufacturer.

• Commission throws down emissions, energy gauntlet

  01 February 2007

  The European Commission has called for the EU to commit to a unilateral target to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 20% below 1990 levels by 2020, rising to 30% if a post-2012 international agreement can be reached. The call came as part of a package of proposals aimed at establishing an integrated energy and climate change policy for the EU, which included targets for renewable energy and biofuels, as well as calls for energy market liberalisation.

• EU to cap aircraft emissions

  01 February 2007

  The European Commission has announced its plans to bring aviation into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. It proposes capping carbon dioxide emissions from all internal EU flights from 2011, and from all flights to and from EU airports from the following year.

• OECD warns China on environment

  01 December 2006

  China's "comprehensive and modern" set of environmental laws has been unable to keep pace with the pressures generated by the extremely rapid growth of the country's economy, according to a new OECD report.*

• Supreme Court mulls GHGs

  01 December 2006

  The US Supreme Court heard arguments on 29 November in a case that addresses vehicle emissions, but which could determine whether the government should regulate greenhouse gases (GHGs).

• EPA backs down on toxics data

  01 December 2006

  The US Environmental Protection Agency has withdrawn plans to loosen reporting frequency for the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), but two senators plan legislation to prevent other changes.

• Renewable energy standards on the rise

  01 December 2006

  Several US states are to impose renewable portfolio standards (RPS) up to 15% of electricity supplies, partly following the recent mid-term elections.

• TXU prepares for CO2 capture

  01 December 2006

  TXU has updated its proposal to build 9,079MW of coal plants in Texas, planning to make the 11 plants "carbon capture ready".