Rio+20

Rio+Social Registration Open - As world leaders gather in Rio de Janiero for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development to negotiate and fine tune a series of agreements on development, energy, and sustainable growth,  a more open “people’s forum” will be underway across town. (Mark Leon Goldberg, UN Dispatch)

How can investors drive the sustainability agenda at Rio+20? - The financial crisis has highlighted the importance of companies having business strategies that are sustainable over both the short and long term (Mark Robertson, The Guardian)

Sustainable Energy for All - With 2012 as the “International Year of Sustainable Energy for All”, Ericsson, as member of the UN Global Compact Task Force for the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) initiative, supports the UN goals:Ensuring universal access to modern energy services, Doubling the rate of improvement in energy efficiency, doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. (Ericsson Press Release)

Vietnam supports UN sustainable energy initiative - Vietnam welcomes the United Nations’ Sustainable Energy for All Initiative and is working hard to attend the upcoming Rio+20 Conference on sustainable development in Brazil. (VietNamNet Bridge)

Energy access

Press Release: Linkin Park and Music for Relief to Bring Solar Power to Uganda Health Clinics - Band's 'Power The World' campaign allows fans to sign pledge for Sustainable Energy for All. (Press Release, Sustainable Energy for All)

Renewable Energy in Mali - Achievements, Challenges and Opportunities - As Mali strives to become an emerging economy, it is focusing on energy sector reforms to support growth and improve quality of life. (All Africa)

First 2 MW solar power plant of Uttar Pradesh switched on - The state got its first megawatt-capacity solar power plant operational on Thursday. Situated in village Sandauli of Barabanki, the 2 MW project was inaugurated by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. (The Times of India)

Energy efficiency

25x’25 initiative highlights energy-saving efficiencies for livestock operations - The 25x’25 Alliance recently held a webinar highlighting how energy projects in the livestock sector can reduce energy usage and contribute to the goal of producing 25 percent of our energy from renewable resources like wind, solar and biofuels right here in the United States by the year 2025. (Peggy Coffeen, Agri-view)

5 Green Tech Stories You Should Be Reading: May 11, 2012 - Everyone’s reading about solar power for Japan, new EV charging standards, and green developments for a U.K. waterfront and a Boston transit center. (Laura Caseley, CleanTechnica)

Norway aims for carbon leadership - Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg did not shy away from superlatives as he formally inaugurated the carbon capture test facility at Mongstad near Bergen, on Norway's west coast. (Richard Black, BBC)

Renewable energy

India’s Solar Capacity Rises to 979 Megawatts, Ministry Says - India’s solar power capacity has risen to 979 megawatts, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said in a statement today. (Natalie Obiko Pearson, Bloomberg)

Scottish Renewables Draw Asian Interest Before Independence Vote - Scotland’s expanding renewable energy industry is attracting attention from Asian investors who are unfazed about the country’s prospects for gaining independence from the rest of the United Kingdom. (Sally Bakewell, Bloomberg)

The French Revolution In Green Technology - If you are the CEO of a green technology company, you might want to brush up on your language lessons. (Michael Kanellos, Forbes)

Biomass power production unit on the cards - The day is not far off when the state will have its first biomass power production unit in Ramgarh. (Jaideep Deogharia, The Times of India)

A solar boom in India (graphic) - Among the Group of 20 countries, India’s clean energy sector was the second-fastest growing in 2011. India is likely to see a continued rise in renewable energy generation in the next decade. (Washington Post)

Sustainable energy policy

Bureau of Energy Resources Coordinator Ambassador Carlos Pascual Travels to India - Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs Carlos Pascual will travel to Delhi and Mumbai, India, May 14-17 to meet with Government of India officials, energy industry experts, and members of civil society. (Greg Adams, U.S. Department of State)

'Save the planet', science leaders urge G8 governments - Leaders of the global science community have issued joint statements to world leaders meeting at the G8 summit later this month in the US. (Pallab Ghosh, BBC