News

• Multinationals failing to push emissions reductions down supply chain

  01 February 2012

  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.

• MSCI launches ESG sovereign ratings

  01 February 2012

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

• Headwinds seen for clean energy but 2012 to break records for clean-tech

  01 February 2012

  The clean-tech sector is primed for a record-setting year of investments in 2012, following robust growth in 2011 despite difficult conditions, according to a leading analysis firm. Meanwhile, clean energy investment and carbon markets (see below) had record years in 2011, although both face challenges.

• US solar tariffs would hammer sector, economy – Brattle Group

  31 January 2012

  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.

• Green fillip needed as we enter 'age of bonds'

  31 January 2012

  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.

• Aviva SRI cull 'part of wider fund management trend'

  31 January 2012

  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.

• Spain's renewables subsidy cut to benefit green utilities – analysts

  31 January 2012

  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.

• Renewables M&A deals up 40% in 2011 – PwC

  30 January 2012

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

• UK invests £110m in IFC climate funds

  27 January 2012

  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.

• Expiring tax credit threatens US wind expansion

  27 January 2012

  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).