Private equity firm Actis has introduced a tool to assess the environmental and social impacts of its investments in the energy sector, with a view to better identifying how its investments are adding value.

China has made it easier for foreign investors to invest in environmental technologies and commit capital to venture capital funds in the country, with the first revision of its Foreign Investment Catalogue since 2007.

The global aviation sector will need to buy 59 million emissions permits under the EU’s carbon cap-and-trade system this year, said a market analyst, at an estimated cost of €500 million ($665.4 million).

The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) needs to be urgently reformed in order to provide higher and more predictable carbon dioxide (CO2) emission prices, according to the chief executive of energy giant E.ON.

The Bank of England has said it will consider whether exposure to carbon-intensive industries puts the UK’s financial stability at risk, and has identified the criteria for such exposure to be considered a threat.

The oil and gas sector remains a black hole in terms of disclosure around its use of commodities that can lead to deforestation, such as biofuels, according to the latest report from the Forest Footprint Disclosure Project (FFDP).

ClimateCare has claimed a milestone with the largest ever issuance of Gold Standard carbon credits for cookstoves, but the project developer feels “held back” by the lack of demand in the voluntary carbon market.

The US Department of Defense (DoD) needs to engage private investors if it wants to tap the more than 7GW of solar energy potential on its California properties, according to a study by consultancy ICF International.

About 300 insurance companies active in the US will be required to detail the risks they face from climate change, following regulatory moves in California, New York and Washington State.

Aviva Investors’ proposed move out of its sustainable and responsible investment (SRI) funds is “not good news for SRI at Aviva Investors, but there is good news for ESG integration”, according to the London-based firm’s new chief responsible investment officer.

London-based investment management firm Ecofin has launched an Australian subsidiary on the back of a local acquisition.

China has issued its strongest warning yet about its airlines not participating in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS).

More than 100 Conservative members of parliament (MPs) have called on the UK government to slash support for onshore wind farms, coinciding with the resignation of renewables advocate Chris Huhne as Secretary of State for Energy & Climate.

Global Environment Fund (GEF) has raised $160 million into its Africa Sustainable Forestry Fund, exceeding its target of $150 million.

Companies in less carbon-intensive industry sectors are set to face growing scrutiny from consumers and policy-makers on the environmental impacts of their supply chains, according to index and investment research provider MSCI.

Thirty-two towns and cities have bid to host the UK’s planned Green Investment Bank (GIB), although experts say the ultimate decision is likely to be as much political as practical.

Wermuth Asset Management has raised €110 million ($144 million) into a fund to invest in clean-tech companies targeting the Russian Federation, with a focus on Tatarstan.

A private equity fund investing in renewable energy in southern Africa has attracted investment from development banks including the German Development Finance Institution and Dutch development bank FMO.

The value of clean-tech venture capital investments in the US fell slightly last year after a slower fourth quarter, according to consulting firm Ernst & Young.

Multinational companies are failing to encourage similar levels of emissions reductions in their supply chains as they are managing in their own operations – despite high levels of supply-chain climate risk.