UNITED STATES: Wall Street se une a la lucha contra el cambio climático con los llamados "principios del carbono"

Tres bancos de Wall Street se unieron hoy a la lucha contra el cambio climático al anunciar que se guiarán por los llamados "principios del carbono", que pondrán más difícil a las empresas energéticas obtener financiación para construir en Estados Unidos centrales eléctricas que funcionen con carbón.

Los "principios del carbono" han sido establecidos por Citigroup, J.P. Morgan Chase y Morgan Stanley, tras consultar con empresas energéticas estadounidenses, grupos ecologistas y organizaciones no gubernamentales.

Se trata de la primera vez que unos bancos se unen en Estados Unidos para establecer principios medioambientales que sirvan como guías a la hora de ofrecer préstamos a las empresas energéticas.

"Estos principios son el resultado de un esfuerzo intensivo de nueve meses para crear una propuesta para evaluar y hacer frente a los riesgos del carbono a la hora de financiar proyectos de generación de energía", señalaron en un comunicado conjunto Citigroup, J.P. Morgan Chase y Morgan Stanley.

American Energy Power, la mayor empresa energética consumidora de carbón de Estados Unidos, CMS Energy, DTE Energy, NRG Energy, PSEG, Sempra y Southern Company son las empresas del sector con las que han mantenido consultas estos tres bancos antes de establecer estos principios.

Las tres firmas añadieron que se trata de "un primer paso en un proceso para dar a los bancos y sus clientes del sector energético una guía para reducir los riesgos financieros asociados con la emisión de gases de efecto invernadero".

Estos tres bancos apuestan por la eficiencia energética y recuerdan que "una manera efectiva de limitar las emisiones de CO2 es no producirlas", por lo que animarán a sus clientes para que eviten su emisión.

Citigroup, J.P. Morgan Chase y Morgan Stanley también recomendarán a sus clientes que inviertan en energías renovables y en tecnologías para crear energía con bajas emisiones de carbono.

Source: EFE

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UNITED STATES: Bush wants climate deal that gives 'none a free ride'

US President George W. Bush called Monday for completing an international deal aimed at cutting global-warming greenhouse gases that involves "every major economy and gives none a free ride."

In his annual State of the Union speech, Bush plugged a US initiative which stresses uses of nuclear power and technology to trap emissions from coal plants that critics fear will undermine UN-led efforts to fight climate change.

"To build a future of energy security, we must trust in the creative genius of American researchers and entrepreneurs and empower them to pioneer a new generation of clean energy technology," he said.

"Our security, our prosperity, and our environment all require reducing our dependence on oil," he told both houses of Congress.

He recalled that lawmakers had responded to his call last year to pass laws to cut oil consumption over the next decade and urged them now to "fund new technologies that can generate coal power by capturing carbon emissions."

He called for increasing the use of "renewable power and emissions-free nuclear power," while calling for investments in advanced battery technology and renewable fuels for cars and trucks in the future.

"Let us create a new international clean technology fund, which will help developing nations like India and China make greater use of clean energy sources," said the president.

"And let us complete an international agreement that has the potential to slow, stop, and eventually reverse the growth of greenhouse gases," Bush said.

"This agreement will be effective only if it includes commitments by every major economy and gives none a free ride," he added.

The White House last month voiced "serious concerns" about a deal reached at the UN climate conference in Bali, emphasizing the need for major developing countries to be included in greenhouse gas emissions targets.

With the United States isolated in battling against new emissions goals for developed countries, the White House renewed its call for emissions targets for countries like China and India.

The White House on Friday pressed its own agenda on climate change with plans for a meeting in Hawaii starting Wednesday.

Source: Agence France Presse

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CLIMATE CHANGE: It is fears boost profit at India's Suzlon Energy

Indian wind power firm Suzlon Energy posted a 92 percent jump in third-quarter net profit Tuesday as it won more orders amid worldwide concern about climate change. The Pune, western India-based company, the world's fifth-largest wind energy firm, said net profit rose to 3.38 billion rupees (86 million dollars) in the three months ended December 31, from 1.76 billion rupees a year earlier.

The standalone profit, excluding the company's subsidiaries, was notched up on sales of 16.55 billion rupees during the quarter, an increase from 11.06 billion rupees a year earlier, it said in a statement.

"Worldwide concern on the issue of climate change continues to be a key driver for growth," chairman and managing director Tulsi Tanti said. "Markets such as the United States have continued their aggressive growth."

Tanti has capitalized on rising international concern over global warming and climate change caused by the burning of fossil fuels to expand his company rapidly.

Suzlon Energy had orders worth 171 billion rupees as of January 25, 2008 and the global outlook is strong, Tanti said.

"With initiatives like the European Commission's target for 20 percent of Europe's energy being produced from renewable sources by 2020, wind is poised to gain further growth," he said.

Suzlon last year won control of the German turbine maker REpower. It has expanded into China, the United States, Belgium, Denmark, Australia and Germany.

Suzlon Energy shares climbed 26.25 rupees, or 8.34 percent, to 341.15 rupees on the Bombay Stock Exchange. The broader Indian stock market fell 60.84 points, or 0.34 percent, to 18,091.94.

Source: Agence France Presse

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EMIRATES: Qatar to build solar power complexes

Qatar is considering building one of the world's largest solar power complexes to help meet demand, which could increase four-fold over the next 30 years, the Middle East Economic Digest reported.

Gulf states have about 30 per cent of the world's oil reserves and 8pc of its gas, but an economic boom spurred by record crude prices is driving demand for power and water so rapidly that many are considering turning to alternative energies including nuclear.

Qatar expects to add 16,260mw of power to the national grid between 2011 to 2036, almost four times current capacity of 4,200mw, Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation senior business development planner Salah Hamza said.

The solar complex would have capacity of 3,500mw by 2013, Hamza said.

The government of Abu Dhabi is also planning to build a solar power plant as part of its $15 billion proposals to develop green energy. Hamza said the solar complex was part of a wider plan that could include construction of a nuclear power plant.

Source: Gulf Daily News

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