Blue & Green Daily: Tuesday 25 February 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.

Fairtrade Fortnight: the great banana ‘price war’ uncovered

HS2 could increase flood risk, MPs fear

Ed Miliband: Climate change is a ‘national security issue’

PM unveils plans to boost Scottish oil industry ‘if the UK stays together’

Green economy ‘fragmented’ despite rising support

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25 February headlines

Brussels poised to outline car emissions deal

The EU is expected to set tough new targets for car emissions today after striking a compromise deal that would give carmakers an extra year to meet the targets. Member states agreed to rules to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new cars by almost 30% by 2020 last year, but the deal was later scuppered by Germany. Financial Times.

China narrows gap to US in EY renewable energy ranking

China closed in on the US at the top of the renewable energy ranking by constants EY after installing record solar-power capacity last year. The editor of the report said, “China has remained a dominant market in the index, reflecting and unprecedented pace of deployment backed by substantial targets and continued high growth in energy demand.” Bloomberg.

Tourism best hope for critically endangered lemurs

Madagascar’s lemurs – the world’s most threatened primate – could be saved from extinction by eco-tourism, conservationists say. The creatures, that are unique to the island, have seen their numbers decline dramatically in recent years but the new £4.6 million plan combines tourism with increased conservation efforts. BBC.

HSBC misses forecasts but bankers bonus pool rises

Shares in HSBC fell more than 4% in early trade after the Asia-focused group missed profit expectations. The banks reported a 9% increase in pre-tax profits to $22.6 billion, but missed analyst forecasts of $24.7 billion as it warned of further volatility. Despite this and job cuts the banks bonus pool for top staff increased by 6%. Independent.

Too much emphasis on shale gas rather than North Sea, Ed Davey says

Too much emphasis has been placed on British shale gas at the expense of the North Sea, which offers greater and quicker potential for home-grown energy than fracking, Ed Davey has said. He also vowed to implement the recommendations of Sir Ian Wood’s review into maximising the potential of the North Sea. Telegraph.

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Interesting picks

Engineers rate UK flood adaption solutions – Guardian

How to make a bigger impact with your investments in 2014 – Business 2 Community

How GM food is finding its way into your diet – Ecologist

Is 2014 the year of responsible tax? – Green Futures