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.

Index provider MSCI has launched sovereign environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings to complement traditional analysis of the credit worthiness of 90 countries.

The imposition of tariffs on Chinese solar imports by the US would have a “devastating” effect on the sector and the overall economy, which could be worsened if the Chinese retaliate, according to a new report.

We are entering “the age of bonds” as a result of current financial crisis, Sean Kidney, CEO of the Climate Bonds Initiative, told a side event at the World Economic Forum in Davos last Thursday.

The announcement yesterday by insurer Aviva that it is to close its sustainable and responsible investment (SRI) equities desk is part of a wider realignment of the fund management industry, and does not reflect on the health of the SRI market, according to the head of UKSIF.

The decision by Spain’s government to suspend its renewable energy subsidy scheme will add to pressure on developers and equipment manufacturers, but is likely to be a positive for the country’s clean energy generators, according to analysts.

Business and environmental lobby groups have responded to a Commission working paper on emission targets by urging the adoption of more ambitious climate goals and limiting the supply of Emissions Trading System (ETS) allowances.

Mergers and acquisition (M&A) deals in the renewables market rose 40% last year, “driven by industry shake-out”, says consultancy PwC.

The UK government has invested £110 million ($157 million) into two new commercial funds, aiming to leverage in at least £3 billion of private capital for green investments in developing countries.

The US Congress should extend the production tax credit (PTC) for wind before the end of the first quarter of 2012 to keep the industry growing at its current robust rate, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

The Asian Development Bank has raised $265 million from Japanese investors into its second water bond.

A committee of UK parliamentarians has warned that the government’s planned top-up tax on emissions allowances could have a “devastating effect” on industry.

Environmentally themed investment funds have had a difficult time of late, but Impax Asset Management claims its water strategy has performed better than most.

A UK recycling fund has reached £100 million ($157 million) in assets and delivered an almost 50% return since its launch in 2008.