Blue & Green Daily: Thursday 13 March 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.

Investing in sustainable transport, and not destroying the world

Not just unethical, tobacco is a financially unsustainable investment

Natural capital committee calls for economic value on nature

Bulgaria, Estonia and Sweden met their 2020 renewables targets eight years early

UK chief scientist: climate change will not be beneficial to the UK

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13 March headlines

EU parliament excludes shale gas from tougher environmental code

EU politicians voted for tougher rules on exposing the environmental impact of oil and conventional gas exploration, while excluding shale gas. Member states such as Britain and Poland are pushing hard for the development of shale gas, seen as one way to lessen dependence on Russian gas and lower energy costs. Guardian.

NASA study projects higher temperatures despite recent slowdown in global warming

Global temperatures will likely continue to rise in coming decades on track with higher estimates, despite a recent slowdown in the rate of global warming, according to a new study from a NASA scientist. The study sought to reconcile different estimate for the Earth’s climate sensitivity. Bloomberg.

No serious voice in government denies climate change, Greg Barker claims

Tory climate change minister Greg Barker insists there is consensus behind the science of climate change, despite accusations that some of his colleagues are sceptics. He added that no “serious voice” in government questions Britain’s green targets. Telegraph.

Labour: Thousands to miss out on energy improvements

At least 54,000 homes in the UK will not now be insulated as a result of changes to energy bills, the Labour Party has claimed. The comments follow the government’s decision to remove some of the green levies from bills in December 2013. BBC.

Eon chief warns on energy security

Eon, Germany’s biggest utility, forecast a further steep decline in earnings this year and warned that political decisions to favour renewable energy could threaten the region’s energy security in the future. The company reported a 14% drop in earnings for 2013. Financial Times.

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Interesting picks

The next head of the Environment Agency matters – Financial Times

Climate change and sensitivity: not all Watts are equal – Guardian

“They are not only coffee farmers, but business women juggling budget” – Green Futures

How businesses can help solve the education crisis – Guardian