Online News 21 May

Nominations open for Environmental Finance annual awards
21 May: Environmental Finance is soliciting nominations for its annual awards – which aim to recognise excellence in applying capital markets know-how to solving the world’s environmental problems.

Waxman moves House closer to Senate on renewables
21 May: 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. More…

CCX leads doubling of voluntary market volumes – report
21 May: 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 report released yesterday. More…

Market welcomes UN negotiating texts (from Carbon Finance)
21 May: Carbon market participants have welcomed the publication of three negotiating texts for a post-2012 climate change treaty, despite them showing the mountain of work that needs to be done before December’s Copenhagen talks. More…

Energy chiefs bullish on renewable support
21 May: Senior executives in the energy industry predict that subsidies for renewable energy will increase during the next year, despite economic troubles that have plagued the globe, according to a KPMG mergers and acquisitions report. More…

Biopetrol chief slams German government for bringing biodiesel sector low (from Bioenergy Business)
21 May: The chief executive of biodiesel producer Biopetrol Industries launched a stinging attack on Germany’s politicians – including the Chancellor Angela Merkel – for almost destroying the country’s biodiesel sector through double standards, egoism, bowing to special interests and politicking. More…

Investors call for stronger carbon market
21 May: 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. More…

Faulty turbines deepen losses at Clipper Windpower
21 May: Losses widened to $313.3 million at Clipper Windpower in 2008, as the wind turbine maker was forced to spend $300 million over two years fixing faults. More…