Rio+20

Countries agree to extend negotiations on Rio+20 outcome document - Representatives from governments negotiating the outcome document for the United Nations Sustainable Development Conference (Rio+20) today agreed to add five more days of deliberations to bridge differences that have kept them from making further progress in negotiations. (UN News Centre)

Green economy a key sticking point in Rio+20 talks - Negotiations for the outcome document of an upcoming major U.N. conference have hit a snag as developing and developed countries failed yet again to bridge differences after two rounds of talks. (Ivy Mungcal, DevEx)

A long series of environmental events will energize the city during Rio+20 - In June, Rio+20 will transform the city into the environmental capital of the world. In addition to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, several other events will “green” the city all over. (O Globo)

Big three likely to meet in Rio - The big three --- Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, US President Barack Obama and Chinese premier Wen Jiabao --- are likely to meet in Rio De Janerio, capital of Brazil, in June end. (Chetan Chauhan, Hindustan Times)

Energy efficiency

Greening New York's most iconic skyscraper - The Empire State Building has long been a signature feature of Manhattan's skyline. But owners of the iconic edifice, planning a $1 billion initial public offering, hope to convince investors and tenants that it's what's on the inside that really counts. (Nick Zieminski, Reuters)

Climate ship plots course through the battering waves - Last December's UN climate summit, in the South African port of Durban, saw heated discussions on a proposal that governments should commit to agreeing a new comprehensive global emissions-limiting deal with some kind of legal force before 2015. (Richard Black, BBC)

Push for energy-efficient buildings - Beijing wants energy-efficient buildings to account for 30 per cent of all new construction projects by 2020 to bring the nation's building energy consumption ratio closer to that of developed countries, Xinhua reported yesterday. (Reuters, South China Morning Post)

The Environmental Impact Of Your Pointless Googling - Each time you use the internet, massive data servers need power, and power causes emissions. (Ben Schiller, Fast Company)

Kenya: Nairobi's Green Roofs Save On Energy, Water Use - Kenyan architects are designing buildings with green roofs covered in vegetation to cool their interiors, conserve energy and water, and help curb greenhouse gas emissions. (Gitonga Njerum, All Africa)

Energy access

Uganda: EU to Lead New UN Energy Initiative - The United Nations has designated the European Union to be the lead agency for an ambitious new initiative that see all Ugandans get access to affordable electricity by 2030. (Peter Nyanzi, All Africa)

Renewable energy

Forget Fuel, Algae Could Help Feed the World - Five years ago, algae was the “it” feedstock in the biofuel realm. The idea of taking an organism that feeds off of CO2 and using it to create fuel was as intoxicating to research scientists as it was to venture capitalists. (Amy Westervelt, Forbes)

AFDB to Accerelate Green Investments in Africa - The Tunis-based African Development Bank (AFDB) will channel more funds towards projects that accerelate the transition to green economy among member states. (Naftali Mwaura, African Science News)
Sembcorp acquires power assets in China for $85.5m - Sembcorp Utilities, a whollyowned subsidiary of SGX-listed Sembcorp Industries has signed a transaction with the New York-listed AES Corp to acquire part of its power asset portfolio in China for S$106.7 million ($85.5 million), according to the company's news release on Monday. (China Daily)
Sustainable energy policy

Clean Energy Startups and Small Businesses Now Have Access to Capital Markets via the JOBS Act -  The new “Jumpstart Our Business Startups” (JOBS) Act, was overwhelmingly and quickly passed by both houses and signed into law by President Obama April 5.(David L Roberts, CleanTechnica)

Parliament panel asks government to decide fast on bio-fuels programme - Rapping the rural development ministry's land resources department for the "inordinate delay" in finalising a bio-fuels programme, a parliamentary panel has sought for the matter be placed before the cabinet at the earliest for a decision on its continuance. (The Economic Times)

Making panels where the sun shines - part 2: How India's solar manufacturing policy can more effectively support the National Solar Mission - On Friday in New Delhi, NRDC and its Indian partner CEEW (Council on Energy, Environment and Water) released our report “Laying the Foundation for a Bright Future” for the Indian audience. (Vignesh Gowrishankar, NRDC Switchboard)