News

• US government lending could support $250bn of renewables projects

  25 June 2009

  With the distressed capital markets currently reluctant to provide extensive funds for renewable energy projects, the US Department of Energy (DOE) is committed to temporarily providing financial support for mature technologies, officials said.

• Industry group to develop €400bn African solar plan

  25 June 2009

  Munich Re is backing a €400 billion ($560 billion) plan to build solar energy plants in north Africa that could supply 15% of Europe's energy needs by 2050.

• ADB's energy policy draws fire, despite renewables boost

  25 June 2009

  The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is to double its clean energy investments to $2 billion from 2013. However, it is to maintain its support for coal-fired generation and some large-scale hydro plants, drawing criticism from environmentalists.

• Sustainable timber fund gains €30m backing from EIB

  25 June 2009

  Dasos Capital's private equity timber fund has made its first close of €85 million ($119 million), following a pledge of €30 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

• Leapfrog carbon reduction initiative jumps ahead

  25 June 2009

  The Leapfrog initiative, which aims to provide specialist volunteers to help bring emission reduction and clean technology projects to fruition, is moving ahead on several projects and is planning a formal launch on 24 September.

• More indexes to address sustainable investment

  18 June 2009

  Three index providers this week announced new products focused on companies that address environmental issues or show class-leading efforts on sustainability reporting.

• Green groups blast Senate renewables bill

  18 June 2009

  Environmental groups have slammed a US Senate bill that would implement a federal renewable electricity standard (RES) because of a weakening of its targets, vowing to push for the reinstatement of stronger mandates as the bill navigates the legislative process.

• Investors focus on deforestation disclosure

  18 June 2009

  Investors are to call on companies to examine and disclose their role in tropical deforestation, via the Forest Footprint Disclosure Project (FFDP).

• Energy efficiency stocks soar on stimulus – HSBC

  18 June 2009

  Energy efficiency and energy management (EEEM) companies within the HSBC Climate Change Index have strongly outperformed this year, thanks to support from government stimulus packages, according to an HSBC report released last Thursday.

• Eurex launches hurricane futures

  18 June 2009

  Germany-based exchange Eurex is to launch hurricane futures on 29 June, it announced on Tuesday, targeted at asset managers, hedge funds, banks and insurance and reinsurance companies.