Latest Carbon News Headlines

News - Point Carbon - Providing critical insights into energy and environmental markets

Point Carbon's OTC price assessments

		Close	+/-
EUA	Dec 2012	7.15	-0.11
sCER	Dec 2012	3.66	-0.08

Markets

04 May 2012 00:49

CCAs slide 3 pct ahead of electricity imports meeting

SAN FRANCISCO, May 3 (Reuters Point Carbon) -- California carbon allowances (CCAs) for delivery in 2…

Domestic policy

03 May 2012 22:48

California calls for offical offset project registries, verifiers

SAN FRANCISCO, May 3 (Reuters Point Carbon) -- California air regulators on Thursday said they are a…

International policy

03 May 2012 23:13

Mexico’s CO2 goals more “ambitious” than South Korea's: HSBC

WASHINGTON, May 3 – (Reuters Point Carbon) Emerging economies Mexico and South Korea both passed law…

Markets

03 May 2012 11:21

EU spot CO2 market to halt June 3 ahead of new registry launch

LONDON, May 3 (Reuters Point Carbon) - The European Commission will suspend all emissions unit trans…

CDM/JI/AAU

03 May 2012 19:02

U.N. agency cuts CO2 offset supply forecast 3.7 pct

LONDON, May 3 (Reuters Point Carbon) - UNEP Risoe on Thursday said just over 1.3 billion U.N.-backed…

EU ETS

03 May 2012 13:26

Vattenfall’s thermal power output plunges nearly 10 pct in Q1

LONDON, May 3 (Reuters Point Carbon) – Sweden-based utility Vattenfall said Thursday it produced 9.6…

Markets

03 May 2012 16:55

Heidelberg Cement sales fall 4.3 pct in Q1

LONDON, May 3 (Reuters Point Carbon) - Heidelberg Cement on Thursday said Q1 cement sales at its Eur…

Latest news

• 04 May 12 00:49  CCAs slide 3 pct ahead of electricity imports meeting 
• 03 May 12 23:13  Mexico’s CO2 goals more “ambitious” than South Korea's: HSBC 
• 03 May 12 22:48  California calls for offical offset project registries, verifiers 
• 03 May 12 19:02  U.N. agency cuts CO2 offset supply forecast 3.7 pct 
• 03 May 12 18:02  EUAs edge lower as German power hits 16-month low 
• 03 May 12 17:52  UK’s FSA issues fresh warning on buying voluntary carbon offsets 
• 03 May 12 16:55  Heidelberg Cement sales fall 4.3 pct in Q1 
• 03 May 12 13:26  Vattenfall’s thermal power output plunges nearly 10 pct in Q1 
• 03 May 12 12:15  ANALYSIS: No Asia-Pacific carbon market in sight 
• 03 May 12 11:33  NZ carbon hits record low as CER demand prevails 
• 03 May 12 11:21  EU spot CO2 market to halt June 3 ahead of new registry launch 
• 03 May 12 09:32  EU green goals depend on fixing CO2 market-Acciona 
• 03 May 12 04:27  China must act urgently to curb city emissions: World Bank 
• 03 May 12 00:18  Shaky data harms Quebec's carbon target: watchdog 
• 03 May 12 00:00  U.S. clean energy bill to cut coal 50 pct by 2020: EIA 
• 02 May 12 18:05  POLL: EU carbon price forecast bumped up to 8.22 euros 
• 02 May 12 17:35  EU carbon dips 3.8 pct on profit-taking 
• 02 May 12 17:28  South Korea's emissions trading scheme to start in 2015 
• 02 May 12 17:07  EU Parliament slashes delegation to Rio+20 as costs soar 
• 02 May 12 16:05  EEX appoints second CO2 market maker 
• 02 May 12 14:12  Australia, NZ delay decision on signing Kyoto 2 
• 02 May 12 13:18  South Korea approves carbon trading scheme 
• 02 May 12 12:34  EU firms use 254.6 mln U.N. CO2 offsets to meet 2011 caps 
• 02 May 12 11:38  Climate concerns irrelevant in approving coal mines: NZ court 
• 02 May 12 11:00  Brazilian exchange offers forest offset trade 

All news

California clean-tech industry a VC darling

California clean-tech industry a VC darling

Despite Solyndra's spectacular collapse, a report issued Tuesday suggests that California's clean-tech industry continues to thrive, soaking up more venture capital in 2011 than it did before the recession.
The annual California Green Innovation Index from public policy group Next 10 tracks the green economy's health, pulling together data on employment, patents and the rising use of renewable power. It tries to show real-world benefits of the state's global warming policies, which have helped make California a magnet for green businesses.

NIB finances dairy expansion in Oslo

NIB finances dairy expansion in Oslo on Environmental Expert

NIB has signed a loan agreement totalling NOK 600 million (EUR 79.3 million) with Norwegian dairy company TINE for financing its dairy expansion in the capital city.  The 12-year-maturity loan is earmarked for the expansion of the Kalbakken dairy, which will replace three other dairy facilities and a terminal.  In addition to improved cost efficiency, a decrease of over 50% in the use of primary electricity and fuel oil is expected when moving production from older facilities to the expanded facility, which will also help reduce CO2 emissions.

Masdar maintains commitment to sustainable energy for all

Masdar maintains commitment to sustainable energy for all | ADFEC | AMEinfo.com

The third High Level Group meeting for the United Nation's Sustainable Energy for All initiative took place in London last week preceding the 3rd Clean Energy Ministerial. As a member of the high-level group, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, has committed to developing renewable energy projects and encouraging clean energy innovation through Masdar—Abu Dhabi's multifaceted renewable energy company.

'Warming hole' delayed climate change over eastern United States: study

'Warming hole' delayed climate change over eastern United States: study

While greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane warm the Earth's surface, tiny particles in the air can have the reverse effect on regional scales.  "What we've shown is that particulate pollution over the eastern United States has delayed the warming that we would expect to see from increasing greenhouse gases," says lead author Eric Leibensperger (Ph.D. '11), who completed the work as a graduate student in applied physics at SEAS.

Greenpeace activist flies into French nuclear plant

Greenpeace activist flies into French nuclear plant

"A Greenpeace activist arrived with a motorised paraglider around 7:40 am (0540 GMT). He flew over the plant, threw a smoke bomb and landed inside, where he was detained," police near the Bugey plant in southeastern France told AFP.  The environmental activist group said the action was aimed at the two men vying for the French presidency in a run-off vote Sunday -- President Nicolas Sarkozy and his Socialist rival and opinion poll frontrunner Francois Hollande.

Greening the Blue - How the UN is approaching carbon neutrality

Greening the Blue - How the UN is approaching carbon neutrality on Environmental Expert

High-flying UN officials are being encouraged to take the train or to make better use of teleconferencing in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its many operations.  The UN released its third annual 'Moving Towards a Climate Neutral UN' report last week detailing the sources of its GHG emissions for 2010 and the progress it is making in reducing them.

Fight climate change and earn AIR MILES

Fight climate change and earn AIR MILES on Environmental Expert

An innovative approach is being used by a British Columbia utility to encourage the use of lower carbon fuel for home heating.  Beginning May 1, 2012, FortisBC, the province's only integrated energy utility, delivering natural gas, electricity and energy solutions, will begin rewarding residential customers who sign up for renewable natural gas (RNG) through a new partnership with the AIR MILES Reward Program.  Until July 1, 2012, FortisBC residential customers can earn 30 AIR MILES Reward Miles as soon as they sign up to receive renewable natural gas and will then continue to earn 10 additional reward miles with their gas bill every month.

Sustainable ranching renaissance takes hold in Northern California - ContraCostaTimes.com

Sustainable ranching renaissance takes hold in Northern California - ContraCostaTimes.com


The herd began pressing toward the gate the moment Stemple Creek Ranch owner Loren Poncia hopped the barbed-wire fence. All 300 snorted, snarled, grunted and mooed, pushing their flesh closer and closer to the metal barrier. Poncia, with an iPhone to his ear and cowboy boots on his feet, unwound a chain and flung open the gate.  Through it they stormed, away from the chomped-down remnants of their last few meals and toward a verdant, dew-glistening field of rye and clover.
Then, only the sounds of munching.

Northern Co-Op sets stage for World`s First Transportation Carbon Offset Program

Northern Co-Op sets stage for World`s First Transportation Carbon Offset Program on Environmental Expert

As awareness of the impact of greenhouse gas emissions has reached global levels, a new business concept based in northern BC is showing that individual companies can make a difference by reducing their fuel consumption which in turn, reduces the harmful emissions.  Created in 2011, the Carbon Offset Aggregation Cooperative of BC is the first of its kind in the world, providing the framework for owners of heavy equipment and trucks to create, aggregate and sell carbon offsets. Equipment modification and operator awareness training are used to reduce fuel emissions from vehicles and equipment.

Structural batteries-building in power

Structural batteries-building in power on Environmental Expert

Structural batteries are sheets of carbon-composite material that can be molded into complex 3-D shapes to form the actual structure of a device. Thus, the rear wing of a racing car becomes an in-built battery, a torch is its own power source, and the fabric of a tent can capture solar energy.  'Anything you can do with carbon fiber, you can do with structural batteries', says Stewart Penney, commercialization manager of BAE's Advanced Technology Centre. Structural batteries can be made microscopically thin and could even, potentially, be incorporated into fabric. They work just like normal batteries, and can be recharged either at the mains or using solar energy and other renewable power-sources.

Green affluents: The newest market segment

Green affluents: The newest market segment on Environmental Expert

BMW i Brand Manager Uwe Dreher says that a surprising insight is guiding the carmaker. Dreher says that in the course of research the company conducted as part of the new sub-brand's development process, the team discovered a group of affluent consumers--particularly in the San Francisco area--who were expressing their politics by driving seemingly downmarket cars. As Dreher said, 'It seemed incongruous for someone to live in a $5 million home and drive a $35,000 Prius instead of a Porsche or Ferrari. But that's what's happening.'  Dreher conceded these 'green affluents' were a small niche. But BMW is betting they're a strong predictor of future luxury trends. And the car maker is developing the BMW i to answer their need for authentic, sustainable driving excitement.

Sustainable Low-Carbon City Development in China on Environmental Expert

Sustainable Low-Carbon City Development in China on Environmental Expert

By embarking on a low-carbon growth path, China's cities can help reach the country's targets for reducing the energy and carbon intensity of its economy, and become more livable, efficient, competitive, and ultimately sustainable, says a new World Bank report released today.

Cool Summer, Few Hurricanes No Help to Energy Markets, MDA Says

Cool Summer, Few Hurricanes No Help to Energy Markets, MDA Says - Bloomberg

Temperatures in the U.S. this summer will be cooler than the past two years and the number of hurricanes coming out of the Atlantic will probably be less than 2011, forecasters from MDA EarthSat Weather said.  While June to August may be warmer than both the 10 year and 30 year averages, temperatures aren’t forecast to reach the record hot levels of 2011 and 2012, said Travis Hartman, energy weather manager at MDA in Gaithersburg, Maryland. That means less energy will be needed to cool homes and businesses.

Trump Says Salmond Idea of Independence Is ‘Gone With the Wind’

Trump Says Salmond Idea of Independence Is ‘Gone With the Wind’ - Bloomberg

Donald Trump said international investors no longer see Scotland as a secure place to invest because First Minister Alex Salmond is “single handedly destroying” Scotland’s economy with his policy of building thousands of wind turbines.  A poll in a Sunday newspaper showed that 83 percent of Scots regarded wind farms as a “blot” on the landscape, Trump said in a letter to Salmond that was also e-mailed to Bloomberg.

US solar developers face financing bottleneck

Environmental Finance | News | US solar developers face financing bottleneck

Developers of solar energy projects may be forced to navigate a tight market for tax equity financing sooner than they expect – if they fail to meet US government requirements to remain eligible for the ‘1603’ cash grant.  The expected influx of solar projects seeking tax equity financing has been delayed so far this year because many were “safe harboured” by the end of 2011 to remain eligible for a cash grant under the Section 1603 Treasury programme. To harbour a project, developers must have spent 5% of the capital costs before the deadline, even if the solar panels are not installed until this year.

S. Korea to start greenhouse gas emission trading in 2015

S. Korea to start greenhouse gas emission trading in 2015 | YONHAP NEWS

SEOUL, May 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will formally start greenhouse gas emission trading in 2015 as part of its contribution to stem global warming, the government said Thursday.  The Ministry of Strategy and Finance said regulating emissions could allow the country to deal with moves by advanced industrialized economies to use "green protectionism" to block trade, and overhaul the country's energy-intensive structure.