Blue & Green Daily: Friday 17 January headlines

Blue & Green Daily finds and summarises the top sustainability stories around the web every morning. We start with our own picks from Blue & Green Tomorrow.

US energy firm promises to review emissions after investor pressure

Climate change a long-term threat to investment, UN tells investors

CDP: investors urge companies to improve sustainability

Thriving, liveable and green, Melbourne walks the talk as a sustainable city

Biodiversity in UK overseas territories face ‘immediate and significant threats’

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January 17 headlines

UN climate report urges quicker switch to low-carbon global economy

Emissions are still increasing with urgent action required to avert the worst affects of climate change, according to leaked Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) findings. The two main drivers for increased emissions are economic and population growth, the document said. Guardian.

Green levies ‘unfair’ to UK manufacturers

The European chief of Tata Steel has said that green levies are having a “major impact” on its operations in the UK. He added that it was creating an “uneven playing field” with European peers. Business Secretary Vince Cable acknowledged that high energy costs were an issue facing energy-intensive industries. Telegraph.

Big six energy provider RWE halves investment in renewables

Debts, falling prices and government uncertainty blamed for RWE’s major curs to green investment. The company is one of Britain’s biggest renewable energy investors but it now expects to sell of wind farms and a major biomass plant. Guardian.

Davos 2014: Widening wealth gap ‘biggest risk’ in 2014

The biggest risk to stability is the increasing gap between the rich and the poor, according to the World Economic Forum. The report warns income disparity is the risk most likely to cause damage globally in the next decade. BBC.

Royal Dutch Shell issues profit warning

Oil giant Royal Dutch Shell has issued a profit warning after it made less money than expected in the final quarter of 2013. BBC.

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Interesting picks

America’s GM backlash should give Britain food for thought – Guardian

Whipping the bankers – as proposed by Ed Miliband – is not the solution – Telegraph

Survival lessons for sustainable financial startups – Guardian

Informal networks provide essential services in cities – Green Futures

The untapped potential of buying social – Guardian