By David Boles

The investment in the sustainable energy sector is paramount if targets set out to mitigate climate change are to be achieved. The sustainable energy sector demonstrated resilience as all sectors have been hit by the global economic downturn. This can be seen if by examining a cross section of indexes shown below:

(The NEX index tracks the performance of 88 sustainable energy stocks worldwide.)

The downturn derailed investment in renewables, which saw $162 billion invested in 2009. A further spurt, realised a 30% growth in 2010, totalling $243bn in sustainable energy investment. This was the highest year on record which bodes well for the future. It segregates sustainable energy from the now burst credit bubble. The signs are that the move to sustainable energy is not a fad and is likely to grow with time. In 2009 we saw the governments of the world get behind the sustainable energy movement to the tune of $188 billion.

Banks also sought to bridge the financial gap, with assistance coming from the likes of the European Investment Bank and Germany's KfW. Policy makers have also legislated for favourable investment; over 100 countries have some sort of policy target or promotion policy in place by 2010.

The US are still the world leaders in terms of installed renewable capacity, excluding large hydro, it's total stood at more than 53GW, BUT China is fast catching up, only lagging by about 1GW IN EARLY 2010. Germany is third with approximately 36 GW and Spain are fourth with 22GW. The $188 billion 'Green Stimulus' mentioned earlier hasn't really kicked in as yet , by May 2010, only $16.6 billion or 9% had been spent. These funds are still to be spent with estimated expenditures shown below.

The mammoth task has only begun, with a global power consumption estimated at 4220TW, with forecast growth as population and economy grows, there is still a long way to go.

Other News:

• The European Energy exchange (EEX) will separate delivery accounts for EU carbon permit transactions into primary market and secondary market to enhance security.
• Nasdaq OMX resumed spot trading for emissions on Tuesday 01 March.
• Three more registries are to reopen on Friday 04 March. They are the Irish, Bulgarian and Norwegians. They have all satisfied security checks carried out by the European Commission.
• Carbon price dipped slightly today following oil price retracement. The benchmark

  EUA Dec '11 is currently at €15.62.

By David Boles

The investment in the sustainable energy sector is paramount if targets set out to mitigate climate change are to be achieved. The sustainable energy sector demonstrated resilience as all sectors have been hit by the global economic downturn. This can be seen if by examining a cross section of indexes shown below:

(The NEX index tracks the performance of 88 sustainable energy stocks worldwide.)

The downturn derailed investment in renewables, which saw $162 billion invested in 2009. A further spurt, realised a 30% growth in 2010, totalling $243bn in sustainable energy investment. This was the highest year on record which bodes well for the future. It segregates sustainable energy from the now burst credit bubble. The signs are that the move to sustainable energy is not a fad and is likely to grow with time. In 2009 we saw the governments of the world get behind the sustainable energy movement to the tune of $188 billion.

Banks also sought to bridge the financial gap, with assistance coming from the likes of the European Investment Bank and Germany's KfW. Policy makers have also legislated for favourable investment; over 100 countries have some sort of policy target or promotion policy in place by 2010.

The US are still the world leaders in terms of installed renewable capacity, excluding large hydro, it's total stood at more than 53GW, BUT China is fast catching up, only lagging by about 1GW IN EARLY 2010. Germany is third with approximately 36 GW and Spain are fourth with 22GW. The $188 billion 'Green Stimulus' mentioned earlier hasn't really kicked in as yet , by May 2010, only $16.6 billion or 9% had been spent. These funds are still to be spent with estimated expenditures shown below.

The mammoth task has only begun, with a global power consumption estimated at 4220TW, with forecast growth as population and economy grows, there is still a long way to go.

Other News:

• The European Energy exchange (EEX) will separate delivery accounts for EU carbon permit transactions into primary market and secondary market to enhance security.
• Nasdaq OMX resumed spot trading for emissions on Tuesday 01 March.
• Three more registries are to reopen on Friday 04 March. They are the Irish, Bulgarian and Norwegians. They have all satisfied security checks carried out by the European Commission.
• Carbon price dipped slightly today following oil price retracement. The benchmark

  EUA Dec '11 is currently at €15.62.