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Nearly nine in ten Millennials surveyed (86%) are interested in sustainable investing, compared with three-quarters of individual investors overall (75%)

Millennials twice as likely to invest in green business, survey reveals

Millennials are driving global growth in sustainable investing, according to financial services firm Morgan Stanley, which has discovered that the younger generation are twice as likely to invest in companies targeting social or environmental goals.

Activists protesting in Sydney in May against coal financing by the Commonwealth Bank. Photo: Kate Ausburn

World's first climate disclosure lawsuit to set 'important precedent' for businesses

Pressure is mounting on the private sector to consider climate change risk in annual reports after the world's first climate disclosure lawsuit was lodged today (8 August).

The financial institution will use a combination of onsite projects and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to hit its 100% renewables target

JP Morgan commits to 100% renewables as it makes $200bn clean finance vow

One of the world's biggest banking institutions JP Morgan Chase, has pledged to facilitate the "largest commitment" by a financial institution in the form of a $200bn clean financing fund, alongside a transition to 100% renewable energy.

The new £10 note will be issued on 14 September 2017, and has been described by Carney as “safer, stronger and cleaner”

New £5 and £10 banknotes have smaller lifetime carbon impact

New £5 and £10 notes unveiled by the Bank of England earlier this month have carbon footprints 16% and 8% lower than previous paper versions, new analysis from the Carbon Trust has revealed.

Beverage cartons are easily recycled using a simple pulping process, where the paperboard and non-fibre layers are separated and turned into new materials

Kerbside drink carton collections up 16-fold in decade

The kerbside collection of beverage cartons for recycling has seen a 16-fold increase across local authorities in the past decade, according to new figures released this week.

The Task Force calls on companies to promote senior management into the conversations surrounding disclosure and adopt scenario analysis

Global banks worth $7trn pledge support to TCFD climate disclosure guidelines

Eleven of the world's top banks, including Barclays and Santander, have jointly committed to adopt key elements of a new international framework which seeks to improve climate transparency in the financial industry.

TCFD suggests that the value at risk, as a result of climate change, to global manageable assets ranges from $4.2trn to $43trn between now and the end of the century

TCFD: Businesses worth $2trn back final climate disclosure recommendations

More than 100 businesses including Unilever, Barclays and HSBC, have publicly committed to support the final recommendations listed by the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), which seeks to disclose climate information as part of mainstream financial statements.

Around 70% of economic losses linked to infrastructure damage from natural disasters are uninsured

New data hub offers financial oasis against climate-related hazards

A new global data community aimed at expanding the climate risk adaption strategies for the insurance and investment markets has launched this week (5 June), to protect economic losses incurred through damages to infrastructure during natural disasters.

The new current account will begin with a phased rollout from June this year

Triodos launches UK's 'most sustainable' personal current account

Sustainable banking group Triodos has today (26 April) ramped up efforts to disrupt the "dysfunctional" banking sector through the launch of a new personal current account that embraces responsible finance.

Four of the top five asset manager leaders are based in the UK

'The scales have tipped': Majority of investors taking action on climate change

The number of the asset owners recognising and acting on the risk of climate change has risen by almost a fifth in the last year, with 60% of the world's biggest investors taking steps to protect their portfolios, a new report has revealed.

In the open message, business leaders claim that a backing from G20 nations would create greater visibility on climate risks, while also uncovering new opportunities for business growth

Major firms implore G20 to act on climate-disclosure risks

The chief executives of 27 global businesses, including HSBC, Unilever and PwC, have called on G20 governments to adopt recommendations that call on companies to disclose climate-related financial risks.

The two Dutch firms have agreed the first deal in the syndicated loan market where the pricing is linked to a Sustainalytics rating

Philips agrees €1bn loan connecting sustainability performance with finance

Philips has agreed a pioneering €1bn loan in collaboration with banking group ING, with an interest rate dependent on the year-on-year advance of the global lighting firm's sustainability performance.

The panel noted that the growth in the green bond market was slowly forcing investment firms to reassess project benchmarks

Private sector funding for smart cities hindered by regulatory constraints, say experts

The private sector will have to mobilise "enormous" amounts of capital to help with the global smart cities transition, but nations must first address regulatory and institutional barriers to incentivise the movement.

Concerns have been raised that a lack of specialist focus on ESG could undo the stability of the global economic system

BlackRock headlines green bonds push, but is investor action ambitious enough?

As a new briefing paper highlights that up to $6.9trn in controlled assets are covered by investors with little to no environmental, social and governance (ESG) responsibility, the world's largest investor has headlined a stream of new green bond announcements.

Hurd repeated the reassurance that the government’s main objective in the privatisation process is to “ensure that any sale protects the Green Investment Bank's (GIB) green values

Minister responds to fears over GIB restructuring

Business and energy minister Nick Hurd has written to the head of the Environmental Audit Committee to respond to concerns over the restructuring of the Green Investment Bank ahead of its sale.

The G20 had stressed the importance of “scaling up green financing” in partnership with the private sector in order to shift trillions of dollars from dirty to clean investments

G20 set to scale back climate funding pledges

Pledges from G20 nations to finance climate mitigation strategies, including the $100bn fund for developing countries, could be set aside, with ministers instead calling on development banks to raise private capital to meet the bill.

The World Bank's head office. Photo: World Bank

World Bank unveils first green bonds linking business actions to SDGs

The World Bank has issued its first ever set of green bonds that directly link financial returns to companies performing to the standards and aims on the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Finance projects include the first energy-from-waste (EfW) plant to be supported under the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme

Barclays delivered £21bn for sustainability projects in 2016

Multinational bank Barclays raised £21.1bn in finance for environmental and societal schemes in 2016 as part of a fresh strategy that focuses on enhancing the sustainability of its business model.

Greenpeace claims that HSBC formed part of a funding syndicate that offered $16.3bn in loans to palm oil companies accused of destroying vast areas of rainforest and peatland in Indonesia

HSBC revamps deforestation policy after Greenpeace investigation

HSBC has launched a new zero-deforestation policy following a Greenpeace investigation which linked the banking corporation to organisations that have been destroying Indonesia's rainforests.

BIC has suggested that the World Bank is turning Indonesia “into a major coal producer” by subsidising fossil fuels through the Development Policy Financing (DPF) programme

World Bank quashes fossil fuel funding claims

The World Bank has criticised what it believes are "grossly misrepresented" findings from the Bank Information Center (BIC), which has claimed that up to $5bn in intended low-carbon funds have instead been used to introduce tax breaks for fossil fuel developments in developing countries.

The report found that 80% of the banks are failing to integrate the results of environmental stress tests into decision making processes, despite 70% introducing new stress tests

Major banks failing to align climate strategies to Paris Agreement targets

Despite more than 70% of banks introducing environmental and carbon footprint stress, many are failing to align business and investment strategies in keeping with the 2C pathway scenario established through the Paris Agreement.

Launched last December by Mark Carney, the TCFD has since welcomed former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg as chair of the group to lay-out the recommendations

Mark Carney and Michael Bloomberg set out recommendations for climate disclosure adoption

The first global, industry-led effort to create recommendations for climate-related financial disclosures has been published by the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

The report found that 688 institutions and more than 58,000 individuals across 76 countries are now committed to divestment

Fossil fuel divestment funds double to $5tn in a year

The value of investment funds committed to selling off fossil fuel assets has jumped to $5.2tn, doubling in just over a year.

Christian Aid wants to see clear timelines and transition plans created to keep the institutions, and their clients, in line with the Paris Agreement

Banks not living up to climate pledges, says Christian Aid

Charity organisation Christian Aid has today (November 7) kick-started a campaign calling on UK's major high street banks to rapidly shift investments from fossil fuels to clean energy.

The survey was released as part of Good Money Week (30 Oct-5 Nov) - the national campaign to raise awareness of sustainable, responsible and ethical finance

Investors want more transparent sustainable funding opportunities

New research from ethical investment specialists Triodos Bank has revealed that investors want to increase ethical investment prospects and enhance socially responsible investment (SRI) opportunities, despite many feeling that they don't have the opportunity to do so.

The report outlines that more than 30 governments, including the US, UK and Japan had pledged new funds in 2015

Developed nations 'confident' of hitting $100bn climate action pledge

Developed countries are "confident" that $100bn will be financed annually to aid climate actions in developing countries by 2020, a new report compiled by the UK and Australia has revealed.

Prototyping expert Tom Chi was among the mentors of the inaugural UK Unreasonable Impact programme, which provided eco-entrepreneurs with resources and mentorship to scale-up. Photo: @UnreasonImpact/Twitter

Barclays supports 'disruptors of tomorrow' with green innovation scale-up scheme

Hydrogen vehicle pioneer Riversimple, London's first subterranean farming concept Growing Underground and tree-planting drone developer BioCarbon Engineering are among 10 British green business start-ups that look set to undergo a period of intensive scale-up after taking part in a new accelerator scheme launched by Barclays Bank.

Joining the CPLC is the latest of the London-based firm’s global climate change mitigation drives - which also saw company lawyers play a “key role” in the COP21 process.

Baker & McKenzie becomes first law firm to join carbon price coalition

Multinational law firm Baker & McKenzie has become the first legal industry representatives to join the World Bank's Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition (CPLC) in a commitment to help clients "respond innovatively to the risks - and opportunities" of an economically regulated low carbon future.

Carney also called on the German government to push the low-carbon agenda once it assumes G20 presidency next year

'Rapid' low-carbon transition could damage economic stability, warns Bank of England

The transition to a low-carbon economy is filled with potential paradoxes that could lead to either the current generation having no "direct incentive" to drive change, or actually transitioning too quickly to the point where financial stability would be damaged.

An aerial view of Central Park in New York City, which is hosting a week-long series of climate events co-ordinated by The Climate Group

Businesses match governments with bold climate pledges during Climate Week NYC

The level of climate ambition shown from businesses during Climate Week 2016 in New York City (NYC) is continuing to mount, with eight more companies making 100% renewable energy pledges and four firms committing to double the energy productivity of their operations.

For the third year in a row, the launch of Climate Week NYC was marked by the Empire State Building turning green on the evening of 19 September

Climate Week 2016: Apple and Bank of America lead corporate charge towards net-zero economy

Climate Week New York City (NYC) 2016 has kicked off in style with America's largest tech firm and second-largest bank headlining a flurry of ambitious corporate commitments to a renewable energy-based future.

With a background in the public, private and voluntary sectors, Dr Bevis Watts sees an opportunity for a radical new approach to banking

New Triodos chief pledges to lead 'movement for change' among UK banks

"Our banks are not serving the needs of society," says Dr Bevis Watts, who has this week been confirmed as the first 'environmentalist' to take up a lead executive role within a UK bank.

The total climate co-finance committed in 2015 alongside MBD resources was more than $55bn, with the report highlighting that $80bn was mobilised by development banks for global clean energy

Development banks co-ordinate climate finance in bid to drive global low-carbon transition

Major Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) have demonstrated a strengthened collaborative commitment to track development flows for climate finance in an attempt to build on the momentum established at last year's Paris Agreement, as highlighted in an annual joint report.

According to ING, the majority of the funding – dubbed “sustainable transitions financed (STF) – was down to an increased assessment of the sustainability of clients

ING raises €27bn in funding for growth of sustainable clientele

Dutch multinational banking group ING has revealed the efforts it has implemented to finance the shift to a low-carbon economy, which has seen the company fund more than €27bn to clients aiming to solve environmental challenges.

Nationwide's Threadneedle Street branch in London. The building society has achieved triple re-certification to the Carbon Trust Standards for carbon, water and waste

Nationwide rewarded with Carbon Trust Triple Standard after exceeding sustainability targets

The world's largest building society, Nationwide, has become the first high street financial services provider in the UK to achieve triple re-certification to the Carbon Trust Standards for its "holistic approach" to managing carbon, water and waste.

Carney revealed that only around one-third of the world’s 1,000 largest companies were providing banks and stakeholders with active and effective climate disclosures

Low-carbon movement requires $7trn in green infrastructure, warns Bank of England

Close to $7trn will need to be spent on new green infrastructure across the globe in order to cut carbon emissions over the next 20 years, the Bank of England's governor Mark Carney has claimed.

Investing in London’s waste and energy infrastructure created a “revolving investment fund” that helped in the regeneration of certain areas in the city

London sets the benchmark for mobilising climate finance

A new report has praised London for its ability to mobilise climate finance, and has called on global cites to turn to the private sector in order to invest the necessary $57trn in infrastructure to transition to a low-carbon economy.

With investors playing a big role in reducing corporate emissions, Felipe Calderón believes now is the time for the implementation of a universal carbon price

Felipe Calderón: Universal carbon pricing and green bonds needed to entice investors

Former President of Mexico and chair of the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate Felipe Calderón has called for a universal carbon pricing mechanism to promote private investment in low-carbon technologies and "get the job done" following the Paris Agreement.

More than 400 SMEs have identified around £10m in potential long-term savings through RBS’ unique auditing service

RBS hits £1bn milestone for green loans

The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has doubled its financial lending to sustainable energy projects, with more than 400 small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) acting as benefactors of a £1bn lending spree from the bank in 2015.

As part of the institution’s new strategy, it will help to fund the construction of enough renewable energy to power 150m homes in developing countries

World Bank to spend 28% of investments on climate change projects

The World Bank has made a "fundamental shift" in its role of alleviating global poverty, by refocusing its financing efforts towards tackling climate change, the group said on Thursday.

Abundance has suggested that there is a huge demand for green financing and has exemplified this through its Great British Money Survey

Could the UK's first Green ISA create a £60bn investment pot?

The UK's first 'Innovative Finance ISA' launched today (6 April) from investment platform Abundance, allowing investors to finance renewable projects through an operative tax ISA that could boost the green economy by £28.5bn.

ING issued its first £1bn-plus green bond last year and is constantly in dialogue with green businesses old and new to accelerate the low-carbon transition

Businesses 'dared' to embrace circular economy as ING prepares for new era of green finance

EXCLUSIVE: Companies should be ready and willing to shake up their business models in favour of the circular economy, with Dutch multinational banking group ING indicating a strong desire to provide more financial support for the low-carbon movement.

The platform will provide cities like Beijing with ways to confront issues like climate change, air pollution and carbon reductions

World Bank backs $1.15bn movement to future-proof developing cities

A new $1.15bn global platform aimed at boosting investment and implementing sustainable practices across an array of developing cities around the world has been launched, after receiving financial backing from the World Bank and Global Environment Facility (GEF).

The 2015 report marks the first time that Barclays had captured relevant environmental data from its top suppliers

Barclays surges past carbon reduction target

Barclays is now beginning to shift its focus to supply chains and scope-three emissions after the British bank's latest sustainability report reveals it has reduced its carbon footprint by 37% - far exceeding a two-year target of a 10% reduction.

RE100 projects that the current group of 53 signatories will reach an average of 80% renewable electricity by 2020

RE100 companies halfway to 100% renewable target

The 53 companies that have signed up to the RE100 pledge to source 100% renewable energy are on average, halfway to their goals, a new report by The Climate Group and CDP shows.

Davis said investors simply want clarity about where the energy market is headed

Has Britain thrown away its chance to be the world centre of green finance?

EXCLUSIVE: There is a real opportunity for Britain to establish itself as the global centre of green investment, but the Government's 'confused' energy policy risks driving investors to Paris or other financial centres.

The report found the middle class is becomingly increasingly aware of the risks posed to them by climate change

Global middle class can drive climate action, says UBS

The global middle class could hold the key to mobilising climate action, a new report from financial services firm UBS has claimed.

The declaration states big gas and oil companies are failing to offer up what is needed to bridge the gap in climate finance.

Fossil fuel industry pressed to pay for share of climate damage

More than 60 environmentalist organisations are calling for a tax on fossil fuel extraction that would see energy giants pay compensation to countries being impacted by climate change.

The completed plant is expected to generate around 3,600MWh of renewable electricity a year

GIB makes third investment in Northern Ireland's AD industry

The UK Green Investment Bank (GIB) and private equity group Foresight have committed to invest £1.7m in the construction of an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant in Northern Ireland.

The retrofit will generate energy savings of more than 50% across the entire estate

Santander rolls out 90,000 LED bulb retrofit

The UK's fifth-biggest bank has today (8 December) announced a new project that will see 800 of its UK branches fitted with more than 90,000 LED lights in a £17.5m retrofit lighting investment.

Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg will head the global taskforce in an attempt to aid financial markets in understanding the growing climate-change risks

Michael Bloomberg to head up new climate task force

Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg is to lead a new industry-led task force which will offer climate change-related financial risk disclosures to companies and investors.

The report expects the four technologies to become mainstay power supplies across a variety of utility sectors

Goldman Sachs urges investors to target solar and wind power for optimal climate impact

Investors have been encouraged to target four key low-carbon technologies - solar photovoltaics, LED lighting, wind power and electric vehicles - as the most effective ways to tackle climate change.

Unilever was recently named by sustainability experts as having made the biggest contribution to advancing solutions to climate change in the past five years

Unilever to be carbon positive by 2030

Global consumer goods firm Unilever has announced a new target to be carbon positive across its operations by 2030.

The bank has so far invested in projects ranging from an offshore wind farm off the Brighton coast to the installation of 10,000 LED streetlights in Glasgow

GIB backs £10bn green projects in three years

In the last three years, the UK Green Investment Bank (GIB) has committed £2.3 billion to 58 green infrastructure projects with a total value of £10.1 billion, making it the most active investor in the UK's renewable energy and energy efficiency industries.

Climatescope 2015

Climatescope surveyed and analyzed 55 important developing world nations in Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean to evaluate their ability and potential to attract capital for low-carbon energy sources and measure what has been achieved to date. The report focused particularly on India and China where 10 states and 15 provinces were examined in greater detail.

The portfolio has been introduced as a means to advise clients on ways to focus on sustainable financing

HSBC injects $1bn into green bond portfolio

HSBC has become the latest bank to ramp up its commitment to sustainable business with the launch of a new $1bn green bond portfolio that will be used to fund projects in the renewable energy sector.

View From the Top: How Corporate Boards Engage on Sustainability Performance

A unique dynamic exists between investors and board members. Directors are responsible for ensuring value for us, the shareholders. Yet, even the most patient investors must become involved these days in helping directors focus on the longterm. Because in an increasingly volatile, global, tech-driven, and competitive economic environment, short-termism often overwhelms planning for sustainable growth and returns.

Investment covers initiatives to generate capital for water and climate risk solutions while developing green bonds

Goldman Sachs to invest $150bn in clean energy

Banking giant Goldman Sachs has announced it will leverage $150bn into clean energy financing and investments by 2025 as it also aims to become the first US investment bank to be carbon-neutral across its operations.

Community-owned renewables projects raised £26m last year

1.85 million Brits financing 'positive investment' market

A record 1.85 million people across the UK have invested a total of £3.6bn in ways that to create positive social and environmental impact, according to a market update from investment platform Ethex.

BP's chief economist accepted that oil reserves would never be fully exhausted

BP: Oil unlikely to be fully exploited due to climate concerns

The world's oil resources are unlikely to ever be fully exploited, BP has admitted, due to international concern about climate change.

The second close of the Offshore Wind Fund brings the total committed capital to £818m - nearing the £1bn target

GIB raises £355m for world's first offshore wind fund

The UK Green Investment Bank (GIB) has raised £355m in the second tranche of investment for its Offshore Wind Fund, bringing the total value to more than £818m.

The World Bank and EIB could deliver a combined $51bn climate finance under their new commitments

Development banks to deliver $51bn annual climate finance

Two of the world's largest development banks have unveiled separate commitments to boost climate-related financing by up to a third.

The World Bank's special envoy for climate change says a new climate finance agreement should not include a figure

Paris climate talks should not put figure on finance, says World Bank vice-president

The Paris conference on climate change should not set a target for future financial assistance to developing countries, according to the World Bank's top official on climate change.

The Time Square Ball in New York, which has been re-fitted with LEDs

Big Switch: LED rollout would cut 2.3% of global emissions

If the world leapfrogged to LED lamps in all sectors, global electricity consumption for lighting would be reduced by more than half (52%), with 735 million tons of CO2 emissions avoided each year

If given consent to start building the facility, the company wants to increase investment at the site to potentially £1.6bn over the next five years

Green jobs boost for Wales with clean energy hub

Plans to build a Centre of Renewable Energy Excellence in Pembrokeshire have been unveiled in Wales, in a bid to make the area an international standard-bearing for green energy.

The complaint demands an investigation into the top 50 investor-owned companies which release the most CO2 emissions annually

Fossil fuel companies face world-first human rights complaint

Chevron, BP and Shell are among 50 oil companies who face an investigation from the Phillipine courts, after accusations that they have fuelled 'catastrophic climate change resulting in human rights violations'.

During the initial upgrade, annual savings reached £500,000, but since the completion of the project the council estimates savings of £1m a year

Bristol saves £1m a year from 20,000 upgraded streetlights

A change of bulbs in 20,000 streetlamps in Bristol has seen the council save £1m a year on energy bills, reducing C02 emissions by 4,000 tonnes in the process.

The changes come as Gogarburn undergoes major renovations which will see staff numbers grow from 3500 to 6000

RBS unveils 8 green innovations at global headquarters

The Royal Bank of Scotland has announced the eight eco-innovations that will be trialled at its world headquarters in Gogarburn as part of its innovation sponsorship programme.

Around 170 workers and 60 vehicles will be in action at Notting Hill, collecting enough waste to potentially travel 84km on the Tube - four times the length of the Victoria line.

Waste from Notting Hill Carnival could power 80,000 hot showers

Westminster City Council are expecting to collect around 200 tonnes of waste from Notting Hill Carnival this weekend, which, if converted correctly will generate enough energy to power 80,000 showers.

The letter asks food and beverage companies for increased transparency and disclosure about their exposure to water risk

Global investors urge food firms to address rising water risks

Investors managing more than $2.6trn in assets have sent joint letters to 15 international food and drink companies amid growing concerns over water security and pollution.

By entering their energy data into the app consumers can realise up to 10% reductions in energy use

New app could cut domestic energy use by 10%

A new app that can reportedly cut household energy use by 10% is being rolled out to 200,000 Swedish homes.

Diageo said its water efficiency increased by 10.4%

Diageo saves almost 3 billion litres of water

Diageo has improved its water efficiency by more than 10% in the past year, according to the drinks giant's latest sustainability report.

The new Teesside biomass plant will provide 299MW of capacity

Teesside set for world's largest combined heat and power biomass plant

Teesside is to be the site of the world's largest new power and steam biomass plant as part of a new £424m project.

New developments in Hyderbad, India's economy is expected to grow 6-8% per year

India's clean energy revolution set to price out imported coal

India's growing renewable energy market could end the country's reliance on coal imports, a new report has found.

Standard Chartered is the second financial institutional to walk away from the proposed Carmichael coal mine in Queensland in the last few days

Standard Chartered abandons giant coal mining project

One of the UK's largest banks, Standard Chartered, has announced it is pulling out of a major coal mining project in Australia.

The funding will go towards small-scale energy projects such as new hydropower

Albion Community Power gains £10m boost for renewable projects

A major community-scale renewable energy scheme received a £10m funding boost today (10 August), closing in on its £100m funding target.

Forewind said it was shelving the 2.4GW Dogger Bank Teesside C and D plans in order to focus on the first four projects

Dogger Bank: Plans for 2.4GW of offshore wind capacity scrapped

The giant Dogger Bank offshore wind project - scheduled to consist of six individual wind farms - will not be fully built, it has been confirmed today (7 August).

The Government says the project could supply enough green electricity to power 1.8 million UK homes

Government green-lights giant Dogger Bank offshore wind farm

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has granted planning permission for the construction of a giant offshore windfarm off the North East coast of England.

The solar farms will offer areas of biodiversity for local education projects - Photo: Big60Million

Community solar farm partnership offers local investors solar bond profits

A new joint venture will see solar farms offering returns on local investments to communities in Kent and Warwickshire.

The Greenpeace orchestral protest compares Shell's arctic drilling the Titanic disaster

Greenpeace holds 'Titanic' protest against Shell Arctic oil drilling

Greenpeace has today (3 August) held the opening recital of a month-long run of musical protests against Arctic oil drilling taking place outside Shell's offices in London.

The World Bank climate change envoy said continued use of coal was exacting a heavy cost on some of the world’s poorest countries

World Bank rejects energy industry notion that coal can cure poverty

The World Bank said coal was no cure for global poverty on Wednesday, rejecting a main industry argument for building new fossil fuel projects in developing countries.

The UNEP found major financial institutions have few policies in place to counter deforestation

Majority of banks fail to encourage sustainable forestry, UN finds

The majority of financial institutions do not have policies requiring clients to comply with forestry regulations, according to a study by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) revealed today (29 July).

The announcement from the White House represents $140bn in planned low-carbon investment

American firms pledge $140bn to support Obama's climate action

Apple, Coca-Cola and Walmart are among 13 American multinationals that have put forward $140bn of new low-carbon investment in an announcement at the White House today (27 July).

The Co-operative Bank has issued its first values and ethics report since separating from the Co-operative Group

Co-operative Bank offsets 100,000 tonnes of CO2 in 'beyond carbon-neutral' scheme

The Co-operative Bank has reported reductions in its waste and water use and sourced 99% of its electricity from renewable energy in the company's latest values and ethics report.

The new biomass plant in Sheffield is expected to provide over 6.5MW of power capacity

Green Investment Bank seals future of Sheffield biomass plant

Developers of a new biomass plant in Sheffield have secured £30m funding from the UK Green Investment Bank (GIB) and fund managers Equitix.

George Osborne delivered the new Conservative Government's Budget to a jubilant House of Commons

Summer Budget 2015: Osborne provides further uncertainty for green business

Chancellor George Osborne has brought further uncertainty to green leaders, with an emergency Budget that confirmed more taxes for renewables along with tax-breaks for oil and gas.

The Trust's Upton House property will install two biomass boilers as part of the £30m investment. Photo: National Trust

National Trust announces £30m for renewable energy at historic sites

The National Trust is to invest £30m in renewable energy for its historic sites, the charity announced today (6 July).

85% of edie readers responded to our survey suggesting they are in favour of subsidies for nuclear energy

Sustainability stats: This week in numbers

This week has produced some surprising numbers, from edie readers' views on nuclear power to the Government's planned part-privatisation of the Green Investment Bank.

The Green Investment Bank has invested more than £2bn to green projects around the UK

Green Investment Bank makes landmark investment in heat recovery project

The UK Government's Green Investment Bank (GIB) has made its 50th investment in green infrastructure projects today (24 June), three years after its launch.

Anthesis analysed the usage of 4,000 US servers, and by extrapolating the findings, estimated there are approximately 10 million comatose servers worldwide

10 million 'comatose' IT servers wasting electricity

Almost one third of the servers in power-hungry data centres are 'comatose', i.e. still using electricity but not delivering any useful IT service.

The ING report claims financial institutions should not ignore the circular economy but embrace it

Banks face circular economy funding challenge, says ING

The financial industry will need to undergo a seismic shift in culture, away from the collateral value of assets and towards a cash-flow based approach to lending, if it is to support circular economy business models.

Oxford University rules out investing in coal and tar sands

The University of Oxford has ruled out future investments in coal and tar sands from its multi-billion pound endowment, but said it would not divest from all fossil fuels as demanded by thousands of students, academics and alumni.

The IMF said that ending the subsidies to fossil fuels would cut global carbon emissions by 20%

Fossil fuels subidised by $10m every minute, says IMF

Fossil fuel companies are benefitting from global subsidies of $5.3tn (£3.4tn) a year, equivalent to $10m every minute of every day, according to a startling new estimate by the International Monetary Fund.

The 400MW Rampion Offshore Wind Farm will be built eight miles off the Brighton coast, between Peacehaven and Worthing

Green bank kick-starts Rampion south coast wind farm

The UK Green Investment Bank has today (18 May) taken a £236m stake in in the first offshore wind farm off the south coast of England, in a joint venture with energy giant E.ON.

Prime Minister David Cameron visited the UK Green Investment Bank headquarters in Edinburgh

Cameron heaps praise on 'world-leading' Green Investment Bank

Prime Minister David Cameron has underlined his support for the UK Green Investment Bank during a visit to the organisation's headquarters in Edinburgh earlier today (15 May).

The three include establishing a carbon price, providing support for those most affected by climate change, and setting defined targets

World Bank releases decarbonisation guide

Countries could reduce the cost of decarbonisation by a third by enacting green policies immediately, according to a new report from the World Bank.

The Joint Links group is protesting the EU's 'fitness check' of its Birds and Habitats Directives, which could diminish natural capital protections

Campaigners fight 'biggest threat to European biodiversity in a generation'

One hundred voluntary organisations across the UK have united to protest what they are terming the 'single biggest threat to UK and European nature and biodiversity in a generation'.

The investment experts warn that mainstream investment thinking is sleepwalking into a dangerous future

Al Gore's business partner warns investors of fossil fuel risks

Two influential investment industry grandees are separately touring the City of London challenging fund managers and pension trustees to adopt radical new approaches to investments in some of the world's largest fossil fuel extractors.

The first round of innovations will save the bank more than 126 tonnes of carbon and 4.5 million litres of water in the space of a year

RBS banks huge green savings from Innovation Gateway

The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is expected to save more than 40,000 tonnes of CO2 and 200 million litres of water - equating to savings of £7.5m - each year from its 'Innovation Gateway' programme, which provides trial sites for green innovations and clean technologies.

The top 200 firms hold four to five times more fossil fuels in existing reserves than can be safely burned

Carbon reserves held by top fossil fuel companies soar

The carbon locked up in coal, oil and gas reserves owned by the world's biggest fossil fuel companies has swollen by 10% in the last five years, despite warnings from the World Bank and others that most existing reserves cannot safely be burned.