Blue & Green Daily: Friday 5 September round up

Today on Blue & Green Tomorrow, we marked the International Day of Charity, asking who, exactly, supports environmental causes.

We also looked into the future of the UK offshore wind sector, considered the latest evidence that more sustainable investments offer better returns, and learned how island nations can lead the way in the renewable energy revolution.

MSCI launches tool to support fossil free investment

MSCI, a provider of investment decision support tools, has launched a new set of carbon and fossil fuel metrics to aid investors wanting to reduce their carbon exposure. 

Study links high ESG ratings to positive investment portfolio performance

Asset managers can create better-performing portfolios by excluding stocks with lower environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings, according to new research. 

Who, exactly, supports environmental charities?

Just who supports these environmental charities then? Are they green activists, or has the message finally got round and everyone is engaging with the future of their planet?

Public backs green groups on the creation of Arctic sanctuary

A poll commissioned by Greenpeace and conducted across 30 countries has found robust public support for the proposal to create a protected area in the Arctic region to preserve wildlife.

How island nations can lead the renewable energy revolution

Small island nations face a truly existential threat in the face of climate change, but they also have the potential to lead the renewable energy revolution that could save them, writes Ryan Gilchrist, who leads business development with enterprise clients at UGE.

Sir Ronald Cohen: impact investing needs venture capital-style support

The father of social investment and chair of the G8 Social Impact Investment Task Force has called on governments to provide more support to social impact investment to help it thrive. 

BP ruled ‘grossly negligent’ in Deepwater Horizon oil spill

Oil giant BP was “grossly negligent” in the build up to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, a US judge has ruled.

Public opposes fracking in national parks and under private land

A new poll has found the controversial possibility of fracking operations coming to UK national parks and private land is opposed by the majority of the public.

Ban Ki-Moon encourages people to give on the International Day of Charity

Charities play a crucial role in helping our society wherever public spending is lacking and they need support from the public now more than ever, the UN secretary-general said on International Day of Charity on Friday. 

Radio Taxis Credit Union votes to merge with London Capital

Two London credit unions are to merge and create one of the largest such organisations in England, joining together some 11,000 members.

UK to be global leader of offshore wind energy market by 2020

The UK’s offshore wind sector experienced amazing growth in 2013, and now owns a 52% share of the global market, according to new analysis. Investment in the sector is expected to rise from £2 billion to nearly £5 billion in 2020.

Goldman Sachs to issue Islamic bonds

Goldman Sachs is to push forward with plans to launch its first Islamic bonds, as Islamic finance continues its journey into the mainstream.

European Investment Bank issues €500m climate awareness bond

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has issued a €500 million (£397m) climate awareness bond that will reach maturity in 2026 and carries an annual coupon on 1.25%. Since 2007 EIB climate awareness bonds have raised €6.2 billion (£4.9bn), demonstrating the growing demand for ethical bonds. 

TED talks: How to grow a tiny forest anywhere – Shubhendu Sharma

In this short, informative TED talk, entrepreneur Shubhendu Sharma demonstrates how we can grow small forests that mature 10 times faster than typical forests, and grow 30% denser and are 100 times more biodiverse.

Book review: The Shifts and the Shock – Martin Wolf (2014)

The Shifts and the Shocks: What We’ve Learned – and Have Still to Learn – from the Financial Crisis by the Financial Time’s chief economics commentator Martin Wolf, asks what the 2008 financial crisis should have taught us about economies. 

Film review: Best Before (2012)

Best Before: The London Food Revolution is a short documentary looking at the impending food crisis, with food prices set to double between now and 2030, and the individuals and organisations that are working to prevent it.

Green Party prepares to challenge Labour in battle for the left

As the Green Party conference began on Friday, its members announced their determination to challenge both the government and the opposition – putting themselves forward as the only left wing alternative working for the common good.

Photo: Sanja Gjenero via Free Images