EFP Online News 17 September

Business for Democracy and ASBC Lead Effort to Overturn Citizens United v. FEC

The Business for Democracy Campaign, which the American Sustainable Business Council is spearheading in partnership with Free Speech for People is tackling the compelling issue of corporate contributions to political campaigns.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision on January 21, 2010 allows corporations to spend unlimited funds to support or oppose candidates for political office, overturning campaign finance laws in place for decades. The Business for Democracy campaign is an initiative of business leaders and their companies who believe this ruling is in direct conflict with American democratic principles and a serious threat to good government. The campaign supports the four members of the Supreme Court and the 80 percent of Americans who disagree with the decision (Washington Post poll, Feb. 17, 2010).

If you'd like your business to join this effort, you can sign the statement of support here or here.

EFP Online News 17 September

EU to press US on climate
17 September: The US must show greater leadership on climate change and follow the example of Japan, which recently agreed to slash emissions by 25%
by 2020, according to the Swedish EU presidency.

$13 trillion backs investor call for climate action
17 September: Investors managing $13 trillion in assets yesterday called for an international climate treaty to “catalyse massive global investments” in
low-carbon technologies.

China’s green-tech market could reach $1 trillion by 2013 – report
17 September: China’s ‘green technology’ market has the potential to grow to $1 trillion and make up 15% of GDP by 2013, according to a report by the
China Greentech Initiative. More…

Hopes for bidding war push EcoSecurities to 18-month high
(from Carbon Finance)
17 September: Investors anticipate a bidding war for EcoSecurities, as JPMorgan made a play for the firm on Monday – backed by the London-listed
project developer’s directors. More…

Leaf Clean Energy reaches $243m of investments
(From Bioenergy Business)
17 September: Investment company Leaf Clean Energy said that it is now largely fully invested or committed to investing, with $243 million in 11
businesses, including biofuel and biomass power companies. More…

Carbon Finance 2009, London, 20 & 21 October, 15% discount
US ecosystem markets to use Markit registry
17 September: Two US initiatives that will create markets out of services provided by ecosystems have appointed Markit, a financial services firm, to
provide a registry for their credits. More…

September issue of Environmental Finance out now
17 September: The latest issue of Environmental Finance is now available, featuring an in-depth analysis of the UK’s planned Carbon Reduction
Commitment. More…