EU unveils green car action plan

EU Commission proposes a new action plan designed to promote adoption of clean vehicles and tackle manufacturers' misleading green claims. The strategy includes an eight-point action plan which pledges to maintain the existing regulatory framework to reduce vehicle emissions, support research and innovation in green technologies and to increase European market share in the global electric vehicle market.
EU

Giant gravel batteries could make renewable energy more reliable

Newly designed giant gravel batteries could be the solution to the on-off nature of wind turbines and solar panels. By storing energy when the wind stops blowing or the sun stops shining, it is hoped the new technology will boost to renewable energy and blunt a persistent criticism of the technology - that the power from it is intermittent.
Guardian

Australia puts carbon trading scheme on hold

Australia's prime minister Kevin Rudd says the carbon trading scheme will be put on hold until 2013 due to parliamentary opposition. The proposed carbon trading scheme that was the cornerstone of a pledge to reduce the country's greenhouse gas emissions by up to a quarter by 2020.
Guardian

Can the Sahara light up Europe with solar power?

Across the world's sunbelts, concentrated solar power is emerging as a blindingly obvious answer both to global power – and local water – needs. But can it reach the scale required.
Guardian

US EPA Moving on Compromise Climate Change Bill

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will begin analyzing a compromise climate change bill Senator John Kerry hopes to move through the Senate this year, despite a significant setback his effort has suffered.
Reuters

Geologists refute damning CCS report

Geologists refuted a report which in January had cast doubt on CCS, and on which some policymakers have pinned hopes to fight climate change.
Reuters

GE and Nissan to research EV stations

General Electric Co and Nissan Motor Co on Monday announced a three-year agreement to collectively research development of charging stations for electric vehicles.
Reuters

IBM's Energy Efficiency Jam

What practical actions can be taken today and in the near future to
create a more eco-efficient and sustainable economy? Key findings from IBM's Energy Efficiency Jam with 1600 experts.
"The next 20 years will be the age of the eco-efficient economy."
Executive Summary - IBM
Full Report - IBM

How to Cool the Planet by Jeff Goodell

Jeff Goodell's new book, 'How to Cool the Planet' examines the radical and controversial world of geoengineering, whose techniques for mitigating global warming — considered fringe as recently as five years ago — are beginning to look sane, even inspired.
Amazon.co.uk

Global water shortage will transform business

Global water shortage will transform business operations,Industrial practices over next decade, says new SustainAbility GlobeScan survey. “These findings should sound the alarm for companies that haven’t yet established robust water strategies. This is about literally retaining license to operate in many parts of the world.”
Circle of Blue
GlobeScan

Voluntary CO2 offset market lift depends on firms

The voluntary carbon credit market could experience another quiet quarter if corporate spending on social responsibility does not pick up. The voluntary market has suffered in the past year from the economic downturn as corporates cut spending on social responsibility.
Thomson Reuters

Marks & Spencer plots to be world's most sustainable retailer by 2015

Marks & Spencer has unveiled 80 new commitments under the programme, including the conversion of 50% of its food, home and clothing items across 36,000 lines to its ethical 'Plan A' status over the next five years.
Marketing Week