WBCSD News Update

A few updates from the World Business Council on Sustainable Development. The big news would have to be London's plan to cut emissions by 60% by 2025! In other news, the Eu is hoping to reach a target for 20% renewables by 2020 for all nation states. Perhaps a bit to much movement on the biofuels front, the path may be cleared for further imports into the US of Brazilian ethanol (driving deforestation?). The Phase 1 EU ETS has been criticised more (it's possible!). The European Commission has been advised to dump subsidies for dirty energy (i`m not quite sure that that needed to be 'advised'). Finally, a group of western states have got together to look into forming a cap and trade system. This is in addition to the ICLEI (the group of cities) and the northeast group of states already running a similar scheme. Federal action anyone..?

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Germany hopes for EU accord on renewable energy targets

AFP, 5 March 2007 - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed hope Monday that European Union countries would agree this week to set a binding 20 percent target for renewable energy use by 2020.

Major Oil Consumers Warm to Biofuels

IPS, 2 March 2007 - Despite their diverse -- and sometimes sharply conflicting -- political and economic interests, the world's major powers seem to be getting closer to each other in their quest to develop clean alternative sources of energy.

Will London be EU's 'greenest' city?

EurActiv.com, 2 March 2007 - London Mayor Ken Livingstone announced a comprehensive plan on 27 February to cut the city's greenhouse-gas emissions by 60% within 20 years.

Brazil says removing U.S. import tariff 'on the table' during upcoming meeting

Greenwire, 2 March 2007 - When President Bush and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva meet next week, the two will discuss the possible removal of the U.S. ethanol import tariff, Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim said yesterday.

EU ETS impact on power prices "not clear-cut"

ENDS Europe Daily, 2 March 2007 - Experts at the International energy agency say it is difficult to generalise about the impact of the EU emission trading scheme on European electricity prices. Industry claims of rising power prices and unfair windfall profits enjoyed by some generators have been a controversial feature of the scheme's first trading period.

S&P launches renewables, water indexes

Environmental Finance, 1 March 2007 - Standard & Poor's (S&P) has launched a new index series to cover the clean energy, water and infrastructure sectors.

Energy Dept. Wants to Fast-Track Energy Efficiency

GreenBiz.com, 1 March 2007 - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman has sent legislation to Congress requesting authorization that would significantly speed up the process to establish energy efficiency standards and ultimately bring more efficient products to market sooner.

Panel urges EU to scrap funds for 'dirty energy'

EurActiv.com, 28 February 2007 - A high-level group advising the Commission on energy issues has recommended phasing out environmentally harmful subsidies, as EU leaders prepare to endorse proposals for a common energy policy at a summit in Brussels on 8-9 March.

Western Governors Form Climate Change Alliance

GreenBiz.com, 27 February 2007 - Governors from five US Western states agreed Monday to work together to reduce greenhouse gases, saying their region has suffered some of the worst of global warming with recent droughts and bad fire seasons.

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