Green Investing News

December 2008 News Archives

Sustainable Community Concept Takes Hold in Texas, Georgia, Tennessee - 2008-12-31
The drive to create communities that balance environmental, economic and social responsibilities through planned development is growing as shown by projects in Texas, Georgia and Tennessee.

California Gives $20 Million to Recycling Projects - 2008-12-31
Twenty projects throughout California will receive a total of $20 million to improve the collection of recyclables, provide cleaner recyclable material, create new jobs and increase the amount of products with recycled content.

Pacific Northwest's E-Waste 'Paradigm Shift' Launches Jan. 1 - 2008-12-31
New e-waste recycling laws passed in Oregon and Washington take effect on New Year's Day, requiring electronics manufacturers to recycled old hardware, and promising to spur the growth of responsible e-waste disposal.

Munich Re: 2008 Natural Catastrophes Show That “Climate Change Has Already Started” - 2008-12-30
Munich Re, one of the world’s largest re-insurers, has released its annual figures on worldwide losses from natural catastrophes, and has termed 2008 “one of the most devastating years on record,” partly due to the large number of tropical cyclones as well as the Sichuan earthquake in China.

Phoenix Opens $1.4 billion Light-Rail System - 2008-12-30
With a hearty "All Aboard," Phoenix launched a sleek new $1.4 billion light-rail system on Saturday amid uncertainty people will hop out of their cars and onto the train.

Fiji Water, Clean Coal and Political Parties Make 2008 Greenwash List - 2008-12-30
In a big year for green initiatives, it's inevitable that there will be some big greenwashes as well; and as part of an onslaught of year's-end lists, the Greenwash Brigade on National Public Radio's Marketplace has tallied their list of the most notable green flops of 2008.

U.S. Diners Looking for Greener Restaurants and Healthier Fare in 2009: Survey - 2008-12-30
Research released by the National Restaurant Association shows that Americans are looking for healthier options and "greener" restaurants when they dine out, in addition to an increased interest in value and convenience.

S. Korea Announces Energy Efficiency Initiative; 16.5% Increase in New Vehicle Fuel Economy by 2012 - 2008-12-29
The South Korean government has allocated 18.3 trillion won (about US$14.2 billion) for an energy efficiency initiative that will run until 2012 and save 34.2 million tonnes of oil equivalent (toe).

Japan To Bring Back Solar Power Subsidy For Homes - 2008-12-29
Japan plans to bring back subsidies for solar panel equipment from January, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said on Wednesday, as the world's fifth-biggest emitter struggles to cut its greenhouse gas emissions.

Nepalis Face 16-hour Daily Power Cuts By February - 2008-12-29
Nepal's crippling electricity shortage is set to worsen, with the Himalayan nation facing power cuts of 16 hours a day by mid-February, officials said on Friday, in a fresh blow to the Maoist-led government.

Industry Leaders Team Up to Green Food's Supply Chain - 2008-12-29
Environmental and agriculture groups, growers and some of the world's biggest food buyers -- Wal-Mart, Sysco and Sodexo among them -- have developed a new coalition to incorporate sustainability from the field to the table for specialty crops.

Public Buildings in U.K. Emit More CO2 Than All of Kenya - 2008-12-29
Government buildings in England and Wales emit more than 11m tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, more than the entire country of Kenya, the Guardian reports.

“Nature Does Not Provide Bailouts”: Tällberg Provocation Calls for Complete Decarbonization of Industrialized Countries by 2050 - 2008-12-29
The Tällberg Foundation has released a discussion paper[1] that proposes a global greenhouse gas emission reduction target of 90% along with a target of 100% “domestic, at-source” reductions coming from industrialized countries by the year 2050, with the objective of avoiding many of the more unpredictable potential effects of climate change.

Wells Fargo Finances More Than $3 Billion in Environmental Projects - 2008-12-24
Wells Fargo & Company's environmental financing has exceeded $3 billion, hurdling past its goal of providing $1 billion in commitments to Earth-friendly projects and doing so two years earlier than expected.

First U.S. Offshore Wind Farm Project Moves Forward - 2008-12-24
A plan to build the United States' first offshore wind farm took another step forward on Tuesday, after the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection approved its proposed undersea cables to transmit power to the mainland.

Converted Organics Turns Food Waste into Fertilizer - 2008-12-24
Table scraps, discarded meals that never make it to the dining room and aging leftovers. Garbage to you and many in the food industry, perhaps, but it's a windfall for New England firm Converted Organics.

CDM Takes Off Around the World - 2008-12-23
The United Nations is claiming its Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is causing a boom in emission-saving initiatives around the world.

Organic farming gets boost in Negros Or - 2008-12-23
Negros Oriental Gov. Emilio Macias II has identified organic farming as one of the province’s key programs for 2009.

Obama Team Primed To Push Climate Change Agenda - 2008-12-23
President-elect Barack Obama's new "green dream team" is committed to battling climate change and ready to push for big policy reforms, in stark contrast with the Bush administration, environmental advocates said on Monday

Energy, Lighting Firms Help Green Famous NYC Buildings - 2008-12-23
The 84-year-old building housing the Times Square Arts Center and the New York Times' acclaimed new headquarters are stepping up their energy efficiency with help from green lighting systems

RWE Says To Build German Offshore Wind Farm - 2008-12-22
German utility RWE AG plans to build its first offshore wind farm, a 2.8 billion euro ($4.03 billion) project, one that adds it to the ranks of would-be operators off Germany's North Sea coast.

Australia Sets Target of 5-15% Carbon Reduction by 2020, Announces 2010 Carbon Market - 2008-12-22
Australia’s politicians, business groups, environmentalists, and citizens are debating the country’s first proposed carbon reduction and trading plan White Paper, which was announced by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd last week.

China-based Battery Maker Takes Stake in US PHEV Conversion Company - 2008-12-22
Gold Peak Industries North America, a subsidiary of China-based GP Batteries International, has acquired an equity stake in Plug In Conversions Corp. (PICC), a designer, developer and marketer of kits that allow hybrid owners to convert their cars to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).

Owens Corning Creates Alliance to Cut Energy and Emissions in Communities - 2008-12-19
Owens Corning helped create a new coalition that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 80 percent in developments and new communities.

EU Draws Closer To Finalizing New Pesticides Law - 2008-12-19
European Parliament negotiators have struck a political deal with EU countries about revising pesticide authorization rules that would reduce the number of crop chemicals on the market, officials said on Thursday.

Business, Consumers Must Work Together for Sustainable Consumption - 2008-12-19
Although people want to live more sustainably, there are still plenty of barriers keeping them from acting in tune with their thoughts. A sustainable society won't be born out of just consumer choices, but out of business actions as well.

Toyota to Increase ‘Ecological Plastic’ in Vehicle Interiors, Starting with New Hybrid - 2008-12-19
Toyota Motor (TMC) plans to increase use of plant-derived, carbon-neutral plastics in more vehicle models, starting with a new hybrid vehicle next year.

Panasonic Buying Sanyo for $9B; HEV and EV Batteries an Important Focus - 2008-12-19
Batteries are one of the primary areas of benefit for Panasonic. The acquisition will, among other things, catapult Panasonic’s share of the rechargeable battery market to 38% from 10% this year, according to a Goldman Sachs analyst report.

California EPA Releases Final Green Chemistry Framework - 2008-12-18
The California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) has developed a six-part framework for furthering the statewide Green Chemistry Initiative.

Venture Capital To Drop, But Cleaner Tech OK - 2008-12-18
Venture capitalists, who have seeded new ideas for everything from Google to smart electric meters, expect increased investment in cleaner technology despite the recession, a survey showed Wednesday.

California Offers Schools a Guide to Getting Off the Grid - 2008-12-18
California schools from elementary to community college level now have a step-by-step guide that the state hopes will inspire districts to generate electricity on site in order to slash energy costs.

U.K. Shipping Industry Proposes Maritime Cap-and-Trade - 2008-12-17
The United Kingdom shipping industry has proposed creating a global cap-and-trade program for a sector responsible for transporting 80 percent of the world's trade goods

EU Court Rejects Steel's Challenge To Carbon Market - 2008-12-17
The European Union's carbon emissions trading scheme, Europe's key tool for fighting climate change, does not discriminate against steelmakers, the EU's top court said on Tuesday.

Dell's Packaging Plan: Cut 20 Million Pounds, Save $8 Million - 2008-12-17
Dell plans to eliminate 20 million pounds of packaging for its desktop and laptop computers around the world within the next four years, a move expected to save $8.1 million.

New Jersey Releases Draft Plan for Reducing GHG Emissions; Low Emission Vehicle Standards a Key Element - 2008-12-16
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) released the state’s proposed plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 (approximately a 25% reduction below estimated 2020 business-as-usual emissions), followed by a further reduction of emissions to 80% below 2006 levels by 2050.

U.K. Building Clients Push for Recycled Materials - 2008-12-16
Architects and clients throughout the U.K. are striving to make greener buildings, with many attracted to cost savings, according to a new survey.

Nevada Could Become World Renewable Energy Capital - 2008-12-16
A poll of Nevadans conducted by Public Opinion Strategies has shown that residents of the state strongly favor renewable energy.

Obama to Announce Environment, Energy Team - 2008-12-16
President-elect Barack Obama, who has vowed to adopt an aggressive approach to global warming and the environment, will announce his choices to lead the effort at a news conference on Monday.

Greenland Deglaciating at Triple the Rate of Last Year; Ice Loss in Antarctic Shifting Bedrock - 2008-12-16
The amount of ice lost from Greenland this summer is nearly three times what was lost one year ago, in itself a record-setting year, according to researchers from Ohio State University (OSU).

New York Sets Green Purchasing Guidelines for Traffic Cones and More - 2008-12-15
A New York State committee has drafted 18 new green procurement guidelines, covering printers, traffic cones, air conditioners and other products and services.

U.K. Aviation Will Grow but Emissions Expected to Level Off - 2008-12-15
The United Kingdom aviation industry could see its passenger counts increase threefold through 2050, but carbon dioxide emissions are expected to sink to 2000 levels, according to an industry group

Duke Wants to Rent Rooftops for Solar Power - 2008-12-15
North Carolina businesses, homeowners and schools would be able to rent their rooftops to Duke Energy Carolinas for solar power installations, if the utility's plan wins regulatory approval.

Study Concludes Wind-Powered BEV and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles Best Options, Biofuels the Worst to Address Climate, Energy Security and Pollution - 2008-12-15
A new study by Stanford University professor Mark Jacobson reviews and ranks major proposed energy-related solutions to global warming, air pollution, and energy security while considering impacts of the solutions on eleven different factors ranging from resource availability to mortality.

California Passes Rules for Cleaner Diesel Trucks - 2008-12-15
California on Friday became the first state in the country to force big diesel trucks to clean up their exhaust, despite warnings from truckers the new rules will force them out of business.

LG Chem and STMicroelectronics Partner on Li-ion Battery Packs - 2008-12-12
LG Chem, the largest Korean chemical company, and STMicroelectronics, one of the world’s leading semiconductor suppliers, are developing new automotive battery packs that combine LG Chem’s lithium ion (Li-ion) battery technology with a battery management chip manufactured by ST.

California Air Resources Board Adopts Plan to Cut State GHG Emissions to 1990 Levels by 2020 - 2008-12-12
The California Air Resources Board yesterday approved the Scoping Plan to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

Econscious Earns Organic Textile Certification - 2008-12-12
Apparel and accessories provider Econscious has become the first U.S. supplier certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).

Despite Downturn, Is German Energy A Model For Obama? - 2008-12-12
While the rest of the economy plunges into recession, Germany's solar power industry is full of optimism, fat order books and factories humming at full capacity -- in stark contrast to the surrounding economic gloom.

DHL, FedEx Improve Climate Records - 2008-12-12
The four major shippers are almost all striding towards better climate records, with two making big improvements since last year.

Twilight of the Dustcart -- Wembley to Nix Bin Collections - 2008-12-11
A massive mixed development at Wembley City will do away with the need for curbside collections thanks to Swedish technology that pipes waste away by means of a giant vacuum.

Smart Energy Solutions: 'Free' Money for Taking Charge of Your Power - 2008-12-11
When it comes to the price of energy, businesses have had an opportunity to lower their energy costs for the past 20 years, through a vehicle called demand response

Report Concludes That 19% of World’s Coral Reefs Already Lost - 2008-12-11
The world has lost 19% of its coral reefs, according to the 2008 global update of the world’s reef status.

2008 One Of The Worst Years For Disaster Losses: Insurer - 2008-12-11
Weather-related disasters and earthquakes are likely to make 2008 the second most costly year for insurers after 2005, when Hurricane Katrina struck the United States, a leading insurer said on Wednesday.

The Golden Arches' Golden Rules for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability - 2008-12-11
McDonald's vice president for corporate responsibility went to the Virtual Energy Forum this week to offer up his company's take on energy management, green building and sustainability.

EnerDel in Partnership to Develop Li-ion Batteries for Bus and Heavy-Duty Markets - 2008-12-10
EnerDel, Ener1’s Li-ion battery subsidiary; the US Department of Energy (DOE); and a heavy-duty OEM are partnering to develop high-energy Li-ion batteries for hybrid bus and heavy-duty vehicle markets.

East Africa Set For Geothermal Power Expansion: U.N. - 2008-12-10
East Africa is poised for expansion in geothermal power capacity next year to meet growing demand in the world's poorest continent, the U.N. Environment Program (UNEP) said Tuesday.

Sustainable Silicon Valley Targets Lower Emissions - 2008-12-10
Energy efficiency projects in 16 city buildings will save San Jose $435,000 in energy costs every year. Meanwhile, energy saving initiatives at the Cupertino, Calif., facility of HP landed the company rebates worth more than $150,000.

Better Place Joins Japan Ministry of Environment EV Project; First Demo of Battery Exchange Mechanism - 2008-12-09
Better Place is joining Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., maker of Subaru automobiles, and other Japanese carmakers in the first Ministry of Environment sponsored electric-vehicle (EV) project in Japan.

U.S. Economic Crisis Drives Public Transport Boom - 2008-12-09
Americans seeking to cut costs in a dour economy are turning aggressively to public transportation in a way not seen since the 1980s, according to the American Public Transportation Association.

Ecoflation, A New Worry, Could Hit Consumer Goods - 2008-12-09
Add another economic worry to inflation and deflation: ecoflation, the rising cost of doing business in a world with a changing climate.

U.S. Needs $500 Billion Clean Tech Investment, 5 Million Green Jobs: Report - 2008-12-09
A new plan for reviving and strengthening the U.S. economy calls for an investment of $500 billion over 10 years on a range of energy, education, construction, building and manufacturing programs that would create 5 million jobs.

Industry, Investors Urge Strong U.N. Climate Deal - 2008-12-09
Major companies, investors and insurers appealed on Monday for decisive action to fight climate change at a meeting in Poland working on a new U.N. pact to fight global warming.

DOE's Pacific Northwest Nat'l. Lab to Help China Push Green Building - 2008-12-08
With half the world's new construction for the next 10 years expected in China, the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is developing plan the country can use to increase compliance with its stricter building energy codes.

Anheuser-Busch's Water Use Flat Despite Increased Production - 2008-12-08
In the past five years, Anheuser-Busch's companywide water use has increased 2.4 percent and beverage production went up about 2 percent as well. But due to a number of efforts, the brewer has reduced the amount of water it takes to make beer, keeping its water use flat.

PepsiCo's Chicago HQ Lands LEED Silver Thanks to Workers' Efforts - 2008-12-08
PepsiCo credited its employees and the Green Team they created for slashing energy use, water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and waste so sharply that the company's Chicago Plaza headquarters achieved a LEED Silver rating for existing buildings operations and maintenance.

Better Place Unveils Design and Deployment of Charging Spot and Electric Parking Lots in Israel - 2008-12-08
Better Place Israel introduced its first “plugged-in” parking lots as well as the charging spot design that will be used in Better Place deployments around the world. Better Place Israel CEO Moshe Kaplinsky unveiled the charging spot at the Cinema City parking lot in Pi-Glilot.

Increased Oversight Of GMO Crops Needed: Government - 2008-12-08
More oversight and coordination is needed among federal agencies to prevent unapproved releases of genetically modified crops into the environment and food and feed supply, the investigative arm of the U.S. Congress said on Friday.

Earth Capital Partners Launches, Seeks $5 Billion for Eco-Investments - 2008-12-05
New investment group Earth Capital Partners launched this week with an announcement that it wants to raise $5 billion in five years for ventures involving climate change and energy security.

BofA Curbs Coal Financing with New Policy - 2008-12-05
Bank of America will phase out loans to companies that use mountaintop extraction as their primary means of coal production, the financial giant said Wednesday.

Studies on Smart Structures, Eco-Friendly Elements Affirm Appeal of Green Building - 2008-12-05
As the end of the year approaches, a raft of studies and reports are being released affirming the benefits and resilience of green building despite turbulent economic times.

First CNG Alternative-Fuel Trucks Arrive at Southern California Ports to Combat Air Pollution - 2008-12-03
To help reduce air pollution at the busiest container seaports in the United States, Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) -- joined by officials from the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) -- today launched a 12-month demonstration of the nation's first clean-burning compressed natural gas (CNG)-fueled drayage trucks to transport containers off-loaded from ships.

TVA seeks 2,000 megawatts of clean energy - 2008-12-03
The Tennessee Valley Authority is looking to buy up to 2,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2011.

Hawaii unveils plans for Better Place - 2008-12-03
Hawaii has decided to partner with Better Place to bring car battery exchange stations for electric vehicles to the islands, Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle announced Tuesday.

Firm Gets First 'Green Insurance' - 2008-12-03
A company in Hunan province was compensated 11,000 yuan ($1596) for an environmental liability policy it bought from Ping An Insurance.

Cheap oil could be dangerous in the long term - 2008-12-03
Motorists must be glad the price of fuel is one thing they do not have to worry too much about as they face the worst recession since the 1930s, but cheap fuel is not good for anyone in the long run.

AT&T Offers to Help EPA Find Ways to Cut GHGs - 2008-12-02
AT&T offered last week to help the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency find ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by tapping the information and communications technology (ICT) sector.

India Sets Out Demands In Climate Change Fight - 2008-12-02
India, the world's no. 4 greenhouse gas emitter, joins about 185 nations in Poznan, Poland, from Monday to work on a new UN climate pact meant to curb global warming.

Five Honda U.S. Facilities Take High LEED Ratings - 2008-12-02
The U.S. Green Building Council conferred LEED Platinum status, three LEED Gold ratings and a LEED Silver designation on American Honda Motor Company properties, including a data center — the first to receive a LEED Silver certification.

European Parliament and Council Reach Agreement on Automotive CO2 Regulations - 2008-12-02
Following a series of meetings between Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and the French Presidency of the Council, the two sides have informally agreed upon the details of future targets on CO2 emissions from cars.

With $1 Billion in Savings, HP Models the Benefits of Green IT Overhauls - 2008-12-02
Technology refreshes are par for the course for any business: from replacing broken or outdated PCs to overhauling a data center, it is a fact of life for facility managers, IT professionals and CIOs. One of the often-heard refrains in the world of green IT involves incorporating the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly technologies into every IT refresh.

Access To Water Must Be High On Climate Agenda - Group - 2008-12-01
With more than 1 billion people having no access to safe water, the World Water Contract group for years has sought to make availability of water a basic right and add it to the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Michelin to Commercialize Electric Active Wheel Technology - 2008-12-01
Michelin’s Active Wheel, an in-wheel system comprising a brake, 30 kW (40 hp) electric traction motor and electric suspension motor system, will be used in the Heuliez-produced WILL electric vehicle (battery or fuel cell), due to be available to fleet owners in 2010. The WILL grew out of a concept developed by Heuliez and Michelin and features networked services innovated by Orange.

Canada's Loblaw To Charge For Plastic Shopping Bags - 2008-12-01
Loblaw Co, Canada's biggest supermarket chain, said on Thursday that it will start charging customers a fee for every plastic shopping bag they use.

India Green Spending Could Reach $150b By 2017 - Report - 2008-12-01
Biofuels, wind and clean coal are among the top climate change investment themes for India, global bank HSBC says in a report, highlighting sectors expected to attract spending of $150 billion between 2008 and 2017.

U.S. Army Goes Green - 2008-12-01
The United States Army might be fighting two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but that has not stopped the military behemoth from opening a third front against global warming. The progress it has made in that conflict is highlighted in the Army's first annual Sustainability Report [PDF] released in September.

New Global Survey Finds Consumers Want Government Action on Climate Change; Decreasing Willingness to Take Personal Action - 2008-12-01
The results of a new global survey released by the HSBC Climate Partnership show that consumers want governments to stop haggling on carbon concessions and act.