News

• Clean-Tech VC Plummets - Ernst & Young

  01 June 2009

  US venture capital (VC) investment in clean technology firms dropped 63% in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same period last year, according to Ernst & Young.

• CCX leads doubling of voluntary market volumes

  01 June 2009

  Voluntary carbon markets doubled in size and value in 2008, consistent with the trend in 2007 and in line with earlier predictions, according to a recent report. But that pattern is unlikely to be repeated this year, with volumes in the first three months of 2009 down 50% on the quarterly average last year, according to the report authors.

• Natixis rethinks carbon fund

  01 June 2009

  Paris-based Natixis Environnement & Infrastructures is considering recalibrating its European Kyoto Fund – which will invest in carbon assets generated both pre- and post-2012 – to offer a tranche that repays investors with carbon credits, rather than cash as was originally structured.

• New fund manager aiming for €200m enviro fund-of-funds

  28 May 2009

  A recently launched fund manager claiming "depth and breadth" in experience is understood to be hoping to raise €200 million ($279 million) into a low-carbon technology private equity fund of funds.

• Standard to aid companies on climate reporting

  28 May 2009

  Corporations wanting to report data relevant to climate change now have a standard procedure to follow, with the launch of a draft framework by the Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB) this week.

• IEA confirms renewables recession woes

  28 May 2009

  Investments in renewable energy are expected to drop 38% in 2009 thanks in part to the financial crisis, according to a report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) for the G8 energy ministers' meeting in Rome this week.

• Signet Solar gets module cover from Munich Re and Marsh

  28 May 2009

  Insurance broker Marsh and Munich Re are insuring Signet Solar's photovoltaic (PV) modules against deterioration in performance, through what they claim is a first-of-its-kind policy.

• Brazil boosts biodiesel blending requirement to 4%

  27 May 2009

  Biodiesel 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.

• Investors call for stronger carbon market

  21 May 2009

  An 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.

• Waxman moves House closer to Senate on renewables

  21 May 2009

  The loosening of renewable energy targets in the proposed US House of Representatives climate and energy bill brings its provisions closer to Senate renewables proposals – making federal targets more likely, say observers.