Online News 26 March
NGOs applaud Standard Chartered’s environmental policies
26 March: Leading emerging markets bank Standard Chartered has unveiled what is understood to be one of the banking sector’s most comprehensive sets of environmental and social sector position statements – and has received a ringing endorsement from leading NGOs. More…
Danish pension giant launches $900m clean energy, forestry bet
26 March: Danish pension fund ATP has announced a $400 million investment in renewable energy private equity firm Hudson Clean Energy, and has made its first investment out of a $500 million pot for sustainable forestry. More…
HSBC makes ‘green’ insurance push
26 March: HSBC plans to integrate sustainability into its insurance business, launching ‘green’ insurance products across its global operations this year. More…
US DOE guarantees first loan to solar energy firm
26 March: The US Department of Energy has kick started its loan guarantee programme for renewable energy projects and provided a welcome boost to the solar industry, which is facing weak first-quarter sales. More…
UK renewables held up by government policy – Aldersgate Group
26 March: The UK needs to rethink its support systems for renewable power, because business is disincentivised from investing in onsite renewable generation, according to a coalition of businesses and NGOs. More…
Carbon capture policy inadequate in most US states – RAP
26 March: Significant policy changes will be needed before carbon capture and storage projects can be developed in most US states, according to Richard Cowart, director of the Regulator Assistance Project, a non-profit that advises electricity sector regulators. More…
US Senators try to cut ethanol import tariffs
(from Bioenergy Business)
26 March: A bipartisan group of US Senators has introduced a bill to lower tariffs on imported ethanol, a proposal that US ethanol supporters have fiercely resisted in the past. More…
PwC calls for carbon tax and trading hybrid Beyond Re-Animator ipod (from Carbon Finance Things We Lost in the Fire full
Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour hd )
26 March: A “hybrid” trading system with ceiling and floor prices to control carbon prices would stimulate more investment in cutting emissions, according to a white paper by PricewaterhouseCoopers. More…
Water quality trading likely to grow – WRI
26 March: Growing problems over water quality means more trading programmes are likely to be introduced, according to a study from the World Resources Institute. More…