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Brazil boosts biodiesel blending requirement to 4%
27 May 2009Biodiesel producers in Brazil cheered the government's decision last week to increase the compulsory biodiesel blend from 3% (B3) to 4% of diesel fuel, beginning on 1 July.
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Investors call for stronger carbon market
21 May 2009An alliance of institutional investors managing €4 trillion in assets has called for carbon markets to be strengthened and broadened – but is also calling for alternative policies to attract climate-related investments in developing countries.
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Biopetrol chief slams German government for bringing biodiesel sector low
20 May 2009The chief executive of biodiesel producer Biopetrol Industries launched a stinging attack on Germany's politicians – including the Chancellor Angela Merkel – for almost destroying the country's biodiesel sector through double standards, egoism, bowing to special interests and politicking.
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VC investment in clean-tech plummets – Ernst & Young
14 May 2009The economic gloom caused a significant drop in US venture capital (VC) investment in clean technology firms in the first quarter of 2009, according to Ernst & Young.
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REG merges with single-plant biodiesel producers
13 May 2009US company Renewable Energy Group (REG) has announced a plan to merge with three commercial-scale biodiesel plants in a move designed to better position the company to meet higher demand.
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Real estate fund managers link sustainability and returns
07 May 2009A resounding 95% of real estate fund managers believe there is a relationship between environmental performance and financial returns, according to a survey of UK and European property funds. However, "the majority felt this [relationship] was difficult to quantify at the current time," said Aviva Investors, sponsors of the survey along with the Environment Agency Pension Fund.
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US biofuels stimulus package provides mixed relief for producers
06 May 2009US ethanol producers praised efforts announced yesterday by President Barack Obama's administration to aid the struggling biofuels sector, but vowed to keep pushing to prevent the inclusion of indirect land-use change (ILUC) in the assessment of the environmental impacts of domestic ethanol production.
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Sentiment improves for environmental sector
01 May 2009Investors have strongly supported fund raisings by renewable energy and clean technology firms, bringing a boost to the sector which was hit hard in the market downturn. But the outlook remains highly uncertain, with more pain expected, analysts say.
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Korea launches $130m green growth fund
01 May 2009The Korean government is among the backers of a $130 million fund that will make private equity investments in companies globally that are hoping to stimulate green economic growth in Korea.
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HSBC infrastructure fund makes first close
01 May 2009HSBC has raised €117 million ($156 million) of a targeted €500 million into its Environmental Infrastructure Fund, which will invest in infrastructure development and construction, using proven technologies in renewable energy, water treatment and waste management.