The most recent articles from BusinessGreen

Energy-harvesting technology lets the train take the strain

author@nospam.vnunet.com (BusinessGreen.com staff) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:15:00 GMT

BusinessGreen.com staff, BusinessGreen, Monday 6 September 2010 at 00:15:00

Pilot project aims to collect energy from braking trains and feed it into the grid

One of the oldest rail lines in the US will soon become home to a cutting-edge energy-harvesting technology that promises to recover the energy lost by braking trains and feed...

GM launches EV marketing war with move to trademark "range anxiety"

author@nospam.vnunet.com (BusinessGreen.com staff) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:15:00 GMT

BusinessGreen.com staff, BusinessGreen, Monday 6 September 2010 at 00:15:00

Auto giant plans to use fear of being stranded with a flat battery to highlight benefits of Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid

General Motors has reportedly filed papers with the US Patent and Trademark Office requesting a trademark for the term "range anxiety" in a move that suggests it will use fears...

China aims to increase hydropower 50 per cent by 2015

author@nospam.vnunet.com (BusinessGreen.com staff) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:15:00 GMT

BusinessGreen.com staff, BusinessGreen, Monday 6 September 2010 at 00:15:00

Reports claim officials are keen to accelerate dam building programme

The Chinese government has reportedly pledged to increase its hydroelectric power capacity 50 per cent by 2015 as it continues to accelerate efforts to boost its low-carbon energy supplies....

Hunhe hints at green tax hike

author@nospam.vnunet.com (BusinessGreen.com Staff) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 09:29:00 GMT

BusinessGreen.com Staff, BusinessGreen, Monday 6 September 2010 at 09:29:00

Energy and Climate Change Secretary insists government remains committed to shifting taxation on to polluting activities

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne has given the clearest indication yet that the coalition will raise green taxes in an attempt to cut greenhouse gas emissions and make...

Shanghai powers up EV hub with $4.4bn investment programme

author@nospam.vnunet.com (Tom Young) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 08:58:00 GMT

Tom Young, BusinessGreen, Monday 6 September 2010 at 08:58:00

City official reveals plans to produce 100,000 electric vehicles a year by 2012

China's position as one of the world's leading markets for electric vehicles was underlined yesterday when government officials in Shanghai announced plans to invest 30bn yuan ($4.41bn) in the sector...

US "dead zones" have increased 30-fold over last 50 years

author@nospam.vnunet.com (Danny Bradbury) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 08:46:00 GMT

Danny Bradbury, BusinessGreen, Monday 6 September 2010 at 08:46:00

Government report warns that failure to tackle agricultural run off has led to huge ocean dead zones off the US coast

The number of "dead zones" in the oceans surrounding the US have been increasing at a much faster rate than the global average, according to a report released by the...

Exclusive: WWF issues call for green business game-changers

author@nospam.vnunet.com (James Murray) — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:15:00 GMT

James Murray, BusinessGreen, Friday 3 September 2010 at 00:15:00

Greenwashers need not apply

Has your company developed a genuinely innovative solution to an environmental challenge? Then WWF wants to hear from you. The global environmental group will next week launch a major new...

UN debuts web site for tracking climate funding

author@nospam.vnunet.com (BusinessGreen.com staff) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:28:00 GMT

BusinessGreen.com staff, BusinessGreen, Friday 3 September 2010 at 15:28:00

Fast Start Finance web site to provide information on industrialised nations' climate funding commitments

The UN has today launched a new web site designed to track climate funding commitments from industrialised countries. It has done so in a bid to boost confidence that developed...

Exclusive: Questions asked over confusing feed-in tariff figures

author@nospam.vnunet.com (James Murray) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:06:00 GMT

James Murray, BusinessGreen, Friday 3 September 2010 at 14:06:00

Renewable energy industry fears success of incentive scheme has been overstated, fuelling calls for it to be rolled back

The apparent surge in renewable energy installations under the government's feed-in tariff incentive scheme has been exaggerated, according to industry insiders who fear erroneous reports of a "gold rush" in...

EU looks to free up €115m in extra low-carbon funding

author@nospam.vnunet.com (Rachel Fielding) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:34:00 GMT

Rachel Fielding, BusinessGreen, Friday 3 September 2010 at 13:34:00

Rule change should allow unspent stimulus cash to be reallocated to green energy and transport projects

Proposed changes to EU rules on financial assistance look set to free up about €115m (£95.6m) in otherwise unspent funds that could be used to support clean and efficient energy...

eBay delivers reusable boxes in waste clampdown

author@nospam.vnunet.com (Rachel Fielding) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:35:00 GMT

Rachel Fielding, BusinessGreen, Friday 3 September 2010 at 12:35:00

100,000 reusable boxes to be distributed as company pilots new waste-saving scheme

EBay has introduced a reusable shipping box for sellers on the auction site, in a move that the company said would not only deliver environmental benefits but would also encourage...

EPA set to deliver modest carbon crackdown

author@nospam.vnunet.com (BusinessGreen.com Staff) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:04:00 GMT

BusinessGreen.com staff, BusinessGreen, Friday 3 September 2010 at 12:04:00

Official admits watchdog will struggle to deliver 17 per cent cut in emissions outlined in failed climate bill

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to introduce further greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations, but will not deliver cuts in emissions on the scale that would have been achieved...

Oil rig fire sparks fresh pollution fears

author@nospam.vnunet.com (Rachel Fielding) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:23:00 GMT

Rachel Fielding, BusinessGreen, Friday 3 September 2010 at 11:23:00

Just a day after the oil industry stages a rally to protest against the government's drilling ban, second rig fire highlights safety risks

The oil industry has today found itself under renewed pressure to address safety concerns following another fire on an oil and gas platform in the Gulf of Mexico....

US government pumps fresh cash into biofuel research

author@nospam.vnunet.com (Danny Bradbury) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:55:00 GMT

Danny Bradbury, BusinessGreen, Friday 3 September 2010 at 10:55:00

About $9m of funding earmarked for second-generation biofuel research

The US government has announced almost $9m (£5.8m) of fresh funding to support research into second-generation cellulosic biofuels that do not affect food supplies....

Energy secretary Chris Huhne warned not to cut subsidies for green electricity

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:36:00 GMT

Adam Vaughan, the Guardian - Published under license by, BusinessGreen, Friday 3 September 2010 at 10:36:00

Reducing funding for household generation of renewable energy will jeopardise job creation and energy security, Huhne is told

A coalition of green, countryside and housing groups has warned energy secretary Chris Huhne not to cut subsidies for green electricity and heating as part of the government's spending review....

Australian energy firms join calls for carbon price

author@nospam.vnunet.com (Tom Young in Sydney) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:20:00 GMT

Tom Young in Sydney, BusinessGreen, Friday 3 September 2010 at 10:20:00

Coalition of energy companies signal support for ambitious climate change bill

Australia's leading energy companies today added their voices to calls for the next government to introduce a carbon pricing mechanism as soon as possible, joining a coalition of civil society...

Feed-in tariff installations double during August

author@nospam.vnunet.com (BusinessGreen.com staff) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:27:00 GMT

BusinessGreen.com staff, BusinessGreen, Friday 3 September 2010 at 09:27:00

Latest government figures show more than 11MW of renewable energy capacity was installed last month as a result of the feed-in tariff

The UK feed-in tariff is going from strength to strength, according to new government figures that suggest the number of eligible installations grew exponentially during August....

Onzo and SEE reveal plan for smart heat meters

author@nospam.vnunet.com (BusinessGreen.com staff) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:15:00 GMT

BusinessGreen.com staff, BusinessGreen, Thursday 2 September 2010 at 00:15:00

Companies announce fresh funding to support development of smart meter functionality for heating and hot water systems

Smart meters capable of measuring and managing a building's electricity use in real time are becoming increasingly common, but to date there has been little progress in the development of...

Analyst warns CDM reforms could spark carbon price spike

author@nospam.vnunet.com (BusinessGreen.com Staff) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:15:00 GMT

BusinessGreen.com Staff, BusinessGreen, Thursday 2 September 2010 at 00:15:00

Point Carbon report suggests attempts to tackle dodgy offset credits could lead to constrained supply of Certified Emission Reductions

Reforms to the UN's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) currently being considered by the offset scheme's Executive Board could lead to a spike in the price of carbon credits issued under...

Nestle brews up $490m sustainable coffee plan

author@nospam.vnunet.com (BusinessGreen.com Staff) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:31:00 GMT

BusinessGreen.com staff, BusinessGreen, Thursday 2 September 2010 at 17:31:00

Food giant outlines wide-ranging strategy designed to promote sustainable farming and improve factory efficiency

Nestle has revealed that it is to invest CHF500m (£321m) over the next decade to reduce the environmental impact of its leading coffee brands, Nescafe and Nespresso....

Legal challenge to drilling ban scores court victory

author@nospam.vnunet.com (BusinessGreen.com Staff) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:49:00 GMT

BusinessGreen.com staff, BusinessGreen, Thursday 2 September 2010 at 15:49:00

White House efforts to maintain ban on offshore drilling will face further days in court

The US ban on deep water oil and gas drilling could be overturned for a second time after a federal judge yesterday rejected the Obama administration's request to dismiss an...

Cisco and Itron team up to build "definitive" smart grid platform

author@nospam.vnunet.com (Rachel Fielding) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:45:00 GMT

Rachel Fielding, BusinessGreen, Thursday 2 September 2010 at 14:45:00

Cisco inks major alliance as networking giant steps up interest in lucrative smart grid market

Networking giant Cisco and smart meter specialist Itron announced yesterday that they have joined forces to deliver an IP-based communications platform to the smart grid market....

Enerkem claims world first with giant waste-to-fuel plant

author@nospam.vnunet.com (Rachel Fielding) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:54:00 GMT

Rachel Fielding, BusinessGreen, Thursday 2 September 2010 at 12:54:00

Canadian firm says new Edmonton plant will process 100,000 tonnes of waste year, creating enough fuel for 400,000 cars

Canadian biofuel specialist Enerkem this week announced it has begun construction on what it claims will be the world's first industrial-sized plant capable of converting non-recyclable municipal waste into advanced...

The new Feed-in Tariff – A tax on Northerners?

author@nospam.vnunet.com (Trewin Restorick) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:29:00 GMT

Trewin Restorick, BusinessGreen, Thursday 2 September 2010 at 12:29:00

The feed-in tariff is well-intentioned, argues Trewin Restorick, but is it socially unjust?

James Lovelock has questioned whether people have the intelligence to deal with a concept as complicated as climate change. Creating workable and effective policies in this area is certainly daunting,...

Centrosolar joins UK feed-in tariff gold rush

author@nospam.vnunet.com (Rachel Fielding) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:10:00 GMT

Rachel Fielding, BusinessGreen, Thursday 2 September 2010 at 12:10:00

German solar panel giant sets up UK subsidiary in attempt to tap into booming feed-in tariff market

The gold rush sparked by the launch of the UK's renewable energy feed-in tariff stepped up a notch this week after German solar specialist Centrosolar launched a UK subsidiary and...