News

• Pensions failing to consider ESG – studies

  01 November 2007

  The UK pension sector is largely failing to consider the environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues that may affect the performance of its investments, according to reports by FairPensions and the UK Social Investment Forum (UKSIF).

• UNEP FI chief warns on PRI free-riders

  01 November 2007

  A UN scheme to encourage responsible investment must begin planning on how to deal with 'free-riders' that fail to live up to their commitments, according to the head of the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), Paul Clements-Hunt.

• People moves this month

  01 November 2007

  DIANE WITTENBERG is leaving the California Climate Action Registry (CCAR) to head the Climate Registry, an organisation formed this year to develop and manage a common greenhouse gas emissions reporting system for North America.

• Greenko to list on AIM

  01 November 2007

  Indian clean energy firm Greenko Group is planning to list on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market (AIM).

• E.on acquires Airtricity North America

  01 November 2007

  E.ON is to buy renewable energy firm Airtricity's North American business for $1.4 billion, subject to closing adjustments.

• REEX closes first deal

  01 November 2007

  The Renewable Energy Exchange (REEX), a Singapore-based boutique investment bank, has closed its first financing, raising $25 million for PowerSource Energy Services. The hybrid debt–equity deal involves an unidentified investor taking a 45% stake in the Philippines-based clean energy firm.

• Greentech Energy Systems raises Dkr1,140m

  01 November 2007

  Danish wind energy company Greentech Energy Systems has raised Dkr1,140 million ($221 million) in a share offer on the Stockholm-based OMX. The money will be used to develop its pipeline of wind energy projects.

• PGGM issues emerging markets ESG mandate

  01 November 2007

  Giant Dutch pension fund PGGM has issued an emerging markets equities mandate with a core focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.

• UK switches to per-flight aviation tax

  01 November 2007

  The UK government has announced that it will scrap the air passenger duty paid by every traveller, in favour of a per-aircraft flight tax.

• China sets out renewables spend

  01 October 2007

  A leading Chinese energy planner announced last month that the country will achieve its ambitious renewable energy targets through $2 trillion yuan ($266 billion) in investment by 2020. While much of the money will come from industry, analysts say it is a sign China is getting serious about its energy goals.