News

• Auction, EPA reveal doubts over SO2 and NOx markets

  01 April 2009

  An auction of US sulphur dioxide (SO2) allow­ances for use in 2016 cleared at $6.63/ton, a level well below most market expectations and one that reflects the increasing uncertainty about the future of existing US emissions markets.

• Jupiter calls off launch of China sustainability fund

  01 April 2009

  Jupiter Asset Management has postponed its planned China Sustainable Growth fund as commitments from investors failed to reach $50 million, seen as the minimum launch size.

• Danish pension giant sees inflation hedge in climate investments

  01 April 2009

  Danish pension fund ATP has announced a $400 million allocation to renewable energy private equity firm Hudson Clean Energy, and has made its first investment out of a $500 million pot for sustainable forestry.

• Consensus sells down clean-tech portfolio

  01 April 2009

  The UK-based Consensus Business Group, which made a big splash into clean technology investment in 2006, has been selling down its clean-tech investment portfolio to shift assets into property.

• US outlines proposals for national GHG reporting

  01 April 2009

  The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rel­eased its proposals for mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions last month, setting in train a crucial underpinning of any carbon cap-and-trade system.

• US DOE guarantees first loan under renewables programme

  01 April 2009

  The US Department of Energy (DOE) has kickstarted its loan guarantee programme for renewable energy projects, providing a welcome boost to the solar industry.

• CCC seeking €500m for renewables equity fund

  01 April 2009

  London-based Climate Change Capital (CCC) has launched a private equity fund that will invest in medium-sized renewable energy projects in Europe.

• Babcock & Brown Wind to rebrand after parent's collapse

  01 April 2009

  Babcock & Brown Wind (BBW), still in the final stages of extricating itself from the debris of its erstwhile parent Babcock & Brown (B&B), will this month seek to rebrand and refocus its business, despite calls by a major shareholder for it to be wound up.

• US climate, energy compromises emerge

  01 April 2009

  Two leading US congressmen have unveiled draft energy and climate change legislation, as President Barack Obama signals that he is prepared to be flexible on one of the most contentious issues of a federal cap-and-trade system – auctioning carbon allow­ances.

• EU power sector commits to 'carbon neutrality

  01 April 2009

  European electricity companies have pledged to become carbon neutral by 2050, by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions as far as possible and offsetting any unavoidable emissions.