Analysis

• Getting smart about the grid

  01 May 2009

  The 'smart grid' will be the foundation stone of the low-carbon electricity system of the future – and, in the US, is set for billions in stimulus funding. But there is a regulatory Gordian knot for investors and developers to cut through, says Cameron Brooks

• A looming imperative

  01 May 2009

  Across developed economies, pressure is building on companies to disclose environmental and climate change risks, warn Prajakt Samant and Adam Topping – with regulation surely just a matter of time

• When the market turns

  01 May 2009

  Hopes are high that the environmental technology sector will help lead the world out of recession, with renewable energy playing a central role, underpinned by generous government pump-priming. While opinions are mixed about the true extent of new money for climate-friendly industries in the various government stimulus packages, this additional financing is often augmenting existing support structures – whether through tax-breaks, guaranteed prices for clean power or renewable energy certificate systems. So which stocks are set to benefit? There are a slew of companies and technologies that offer – to a greater or lesser extent – speculative plays on the sector. But there are also a small number of bellwether stocks that analysts believe are most likely to lead the renewable sector out of recession. Below, we profile these leaders, and one stock – Gamesa – that offers a more defensive play on the sector. Reporting by Christopher Cundy, Jess McCabe and Mark Nicholls

• Counting on Copenhagen

  01 May 2009

  Falling prices, uncertain demand, US scepticism and the Copenhagen question hanging over everything – who'd be a CDM project developer? Joshua Speckman reports on a market waiting for direction

• Powering through the downturn

  01 May 2009

  Recession may be taking the pressure off Europe's emission reduction targets, but European power ­companies are pressing ahead with investment in ­carbon management, finds Philippa Jones

• Carbon's new frontier

  01 May 2009

  Recent months have seen a dramatic increase in government-to-government trading of Assigned Amount Units – raising fears for their impact on the wider carbon market. Katie Kouchakji reports

• From a marathon to a sprint

  01 May 2009

  Negotiators face a gruelling seven months as they approach what they hope will be a finish line in Copenhagen in December. Tilman Santarius ­considers the obstacles they must overcome

• Guiding light

  01 May 2009

  The World Bank has long played a pioneering role in carbon finance – and, with new markets and new mechanisms planned for a post-2012 climate agreement, there is plenty of innovation yet to come. Christopher Cundy reports

• An eye on certainty

  01 May 2009

  Profound questions remain unanswered on the when and how of US federal greenhouse gas regulation. But enough clues are emerging to allow for pre-compliance hedging and arbitrage, as Jay McCall explains

• Playing REDD without losing your shirt

  01 May 2009

  Reducing emissions from deforestation will be a crucial part of a post-2012 climate change agreement – and carbon finance is likely to play its part. Martin Berg and Andrew Hedges consider how early movers might position themselves