Environment-Renewables
JI finally accredits first third party verifier
The Kyoto Protocol's Joint Implementation (JI) mechanism has accredited its first third party verifier, TÜV SÜD Industrie Service, almost ten years after the UN-backed carbon offsetting mechanism was first agreed upon.
BarCap executes RGGI forward trade agreement
Barclays Capital today executed its first transactions on a forward trade agreement that includes provisions for US emissions allowances associated with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the first mandatory carbon cap-and-trade program in…
US and European firms in bid for LCH
A consortium of major US and European financial institutions is lining up a bid for London-based derivatives clearing house LCH.Clearnet. Deutsche Bank is acting as adviser on the acquisition, as well as being part of the bidding group.
Aviation industry calls for inclusion in Copenhagen deal
Four of the world's leading airlines have today called for carbon dioxide emissions from international aviation to be included in any new global climate change deal agreed at the UN's Copenhagen Summit in December.
US legislators to move on cap and trade before June
Draft climate change legislation will be presented to the US House of Representatives by Monday 25 May 2009, according to Representative Edward Markey, chair of the House Energy and Environmental subcommittee.
ASX to launch coal and power futures
The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) is to list thermal coal futures and options on April 21. It will also launch New Zealand electricity futures on 28 April and natural gas futures contracts for the state of Victoria on 5 May.
Regulatory risk hits US emissions markets
Worrying regulatory indecision in the US SO2 and NOx markets has angered traders and does not bode well for the implementation of a federal cap and trade scheme, finds Roderick Bruce
GDF Suez and Iberdrola form UK nuclear team
GDF SUEZ and Iberdrola have entered a joint-venture partnership to participate in the development of new nuclear power stations in the UK.
The fight is on for LCH
US clearing giant The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) has insisted that a merger with London-based clearing house LCH.Clearnet would be completed by the end of March, despite a possible rival bid.
European Commission plans global carbon trading scheme
The European Commission (EC) today set out proposals for a global agreement to tackle climate change, a pact it hopes will be signed at the UN climate conference in Copenhagen in December.
US wind energy grows by 8300 MW in 2008
A record 8358 megawatts of new wind-powered generating capacity was installed in the US in 2008, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). The $17 billion investment represents a 50% growth on 2007 generation levels.
SSE and Iberdrola join forces for UK nuclear
UK utility Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has joined forces with Spanish utility Iberdrola to help kick-start the UK's nuclear new build programme. They will begin by securing potential sites for nuclear power stations and work alongside UK…
RWE and E.ON team up for UK nuclear projects
German utilities RWE and E.ON have formed a joint-venture to develop new nuclear power stations in the UK.
Ready for takeoff?
With aviation joining the EU Emissions Trading Scheme in 2012, Alex Meredith of Hunton & Williams asks whether the aviation sector is ready and looks at the potential impact on the carbon market
Tullett Prebon closes US environmental desk
Interdealer broker Tullett Prebon has closed its US environmental products desk in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Clean and transparent
The process of approving CDM projects, though generally much quicker than it used to be, is still not as transparent as people would like, finds Katie Holliday
RWE to buy Essent
Germany's RWE is buy Dutch utility Essent in an all-cash €9.3 billion deal. Essent will become RWE's operating company in the Netherlands and Belgium, and will continue as an independent entity.
Obama plans alternative energy boost
US President-elect Barack Obama has pledged to double alternative energy production over the next three years and construct a new smart grid as part of an economic stimulus plan.
EDF meeting record French power demand
French utility EDF has brought "almost all" of its available generation capacity online to cope with record power demand highs driven by freezing temperatures, the company said today.