Volkswagen cars - criticism of green credentials January 2012
According to Greenpeace, Volkswagen says publicly that it wants to be the world's most eco-friendly car maker, but behind the scenes it is spending millions on lobbying against the very car efficiency standards and emissions reduction targets that we need to get off oil. It is the largest and most influential member of ACEA - The Brussels-based car lobby group desperately trying to block climate laws. The company also spends more than any other car manufacturer on advertising, spending £70 million a year in the UK alone on billboards and TV adverts promoting itself as a green car manufacturer. But only 6% of the cars it sells are its more efficient models.

Hydrogen cars - the future? January 2012
The opening of the UK's first public refuelling station for hydrogen vehicles in Swindon is part of efforts to create a "hydrogen highway" along the M4 motorway. It is also seen as an important step in a UK-wide scheme to make hydrogen vehicles a viable alternative to petrol-driven cars. "A hydrogen car is much cleaner than a conventional car," says Professor Kevin Kendall, a hydrogen and fuel cell expert from Birmingham University. "This will clean up our cities enormously," he says in an interview with BBC News. "No emissions whatsoever."

China tops list of world's list of investors in clean energy 31st March 2011
Despite what you may have heard in the press about China being a major polluter, it remains the world's leading investor in low-carbon energy technology according to a study by the US Pew Environment Group. The Chinese invested $54.4bn (£34.1bn) in low carbon technology across 2010, an increase of $39.1bn from 2009. The US also increased its investment $34bn, but it still fell from 2nd to 3rd in the ranking, behind Germany at $41.2bn. Disappointingly, the UK did not even make the top 10 as investment fell by 70% in 2010.

Insurance costs affected by ECJ gender ruling 22nd March 2011
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that insurers cannot charge different premiums to men and women. The ruling is important because it means that men can no longer be charged higher insurance premiums than women. "Taking the gender of the insured individual into account as a risk factor in insurance contracts constitutes discrimination," the ECJ said.

Electric cars take a step forward 11^th February 2011
Research chemists at BASF are working on next-generation lithium-ion batteries that will have significantly improved energy densities and lower material costs than today’s products. The researchers are hoping that the technology will increase the travelling range of current hybrid vehicles and bring long-distance all-electric cars closer to mainstream production. Company research director Dr Andreas Kreimeyer said: Existing batteries are too expensive, their range is too limited and their weight is still much too high. We must develop innovative concepts for more efficient electric cars if we are to convince potential users.

Natwest unhelpful banking? 11^th January 2011
RBS and NatWest have been fined £2.8m by the FSA for failing to deal properly with customer complaints. According to the FSA, there was an "unacceptably high risk" that customers had been treated unfairly. Amongst the banks failures were delays, shoddy investigations and inadequate explanations. "We recognise the importance of complaint handling for our customers and are focused on addressing the root causes of complaints," said Brian Hartzer of RBS.

California approves first US carbon-trading scheme 17th December 2010
California has become the first US state to approve a carbon-trading plan aimed at cutting greenhouse emissions. State regulators passed a "cap-and-trade" framework, which allows companies to buy and sell permits, thereby providing an incentive to emit fewer gases. State officials hope the scheme will be copied across the US, but opponents warn it may harm California's growth and lead to higher electricity prices. The scheme means that from 2012 California will allocate licences to pollute and create a market where they can be traded.

Amazon deforestation falls 7th December 2010
Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has fallen to its lowest rate for 22 years, due to better monitoring and police control according to the government. Satellite monitoring showed about 6,450 sq km of (2,490 sq miles) of rainforest were cleared between August 2009 and July 2010, a drop of 14% compared with the previous 12 months. However, the latest figure still represents an area more than half the size of Jamaica and deforestation remains a major source of carbon emissions and species extinction.

UK and India urged to follow low-carbon path by businesses 16th November 2010 
Closer co-operation between the UK and India could accelerate moves towards a low-carbon economy, according to business leaders from both countries. Retailers Marks and Spencer, wind energy giant Suzlon, and HSBC Bank are among the companies calling for closer ties. Among other things, they argue for more UK investment in clean energy in India. Prime Minister David Cameron said the collaboration could "deliver jobs, growth and environmental protection". The UK government believes that bilateral collaborations could potentially improve the prospects for a new deal within the UN climate negotiations.