Changes to renewable energy incentives in the US, Italy and Spain will make it harder for those countries to meet their clean energy mandates and emission reduction targets, according to Deutsche Bank.

Connie Hedegaard, the European Commission’s climate chief, expressed confidence that a noteworthy agreement would emerge from the Rio+20 conference.

While gridlock is likely to be a defining feature of US environmental and energy policy this year, 2012 is will prove critical in preparing for Congressional action next year, and will see high levels of regulatory action, according to lawyers at Van Ness Feldman.

Green policies needn’t jeopardise economic growth, instead they can boost prosperity and create jobs, according to the OECD.

The UK government is proposing an ambitious and legally binding carbon target which could pave the way for emission reductions of “at least” 80% by 2050, and will continue to push the EU for deeper emission targets.

The Japanese earthquake and tsunami have sparked a rethink of nuclear policy around the world with Germany taking older nuclear plants offline, Switzerland suspending plant approvals and other countries re-examining safety concerns.

Industry and environmental groups have voiced cautious support the UK’s draft action plan on climate change but say it lacks detail on how targets will be met.

Energy and climate change issues are competing for attention on a packed agenda as the presidents of the US and China meet this week in Washington, DC.

The head of a UK electricity association admits there is wide disagreement among its members about the government’s energy reform package, but says it is confident the sector will reach a position in time for the March response deadline.

A leading UK business group says £150 billion ($234 billion) of green investment will be at risk if the government fails to deliver key energy reforms within six months.

The European Parliament voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to adopt the Industrial Emissions Directive, after agreeing a compromise position that will give power plants extra time to comply with stricter levels for air pollution.

The UK’s emergency package to deal with its massive public debt includes few green measures, but analysts and investors expect the country’s coalition government to fill in the details later this year.

The European Greens have heralded their increase in seats in last week’s European Parliament elections, but with the centre-right parties as the dominant players, it looks unlikely that Europe’s politicians will emerge with a stronger line on climate change in time for the UN’s Copenhagen summit on climate change in December.