Sustainable energy policy
Global Governance and African Reality - There are few hotter topics on the international agenda than sustainability. The theme has been a mainstay of international conferences, and the biggest of them all — the UN's Rio+20 conference — will begin just over a month from now. Kandeh K. Yumkella, head of UNIDO, the UN agency that promotes industrial development, explains what's at stake for Africa. (Kandeh K. Yumkella, The Globalist)
Water policy needs 'radical' change to protect people and environment - Ahead of Rio+20, a report is calling for a joined-up approach to managing the world's water, land and energy demands. (Liz Ford, The Guardian)
SolarCity: Ditch Your Big Utility And Get A Free Rooftop Solar System - In states with deregulated electricity markets, power providers must compete for customers who can switch to a competitor much like they change cellphone services. (Todd Woody, Forbes)
UK carbon targets 'at risk over local authority funding cuts' - Funding cuts to squeezed local authorities are putting the UK's carbon targets at risk, the government's climate advisers warned in a report published on Thursday. (Fiona Harvey, The Guardian)
Rio+20
Business and governments discuss green economy ahead of Rio+20 - A two-day consultation addressed how to best leverage business strengths in innovation, adaptation and implementation to facilitate the transition to a green economy. (The Guardian)
How Green is My Occupy? Rio+20 Enviromentalists Team With #OWS - I imagine that in the Main Street Media, this will be billed as, "Tree Huggers Meet Wall Street Bashers." You can be certain that something close to this will be the spin put on the conjoining of the still-fledgling Occupy Movement with the veterans of the environmental movement -- the latter now gaining its second breath and much traction. (Jerry Ashton, Huffington Post)
Brazil hotels set to cut rates for June's Rio+20 summit - Rio de Janeiro hotel owners have agreed to cut prices during a major UN summit next month, amid fears that spiraling costs were putting off visitors. (BBC)
Renewable energy
Research paper shines light on competitiveness of solar PV power - New working paper argues that common perceptions about the lack of competitiveness of solar photovoltaic power are misleading and out-of-date. (Bloomberg New Energy Finance)
Tidal power gets a stormy birth off coast of Scotland - Unlike wind, the tides are totally predictable for decades ahead. The turbines, well below the waves, are also out of sight and probably out of mind. And the tidal currents are of course utterly carbon-free. (David Shuckman, BBC)
A Bright Future for Renewable Energy - The current market for the renewable energy sector in the United States and around the world is a mix of challenge and opportunity. However, the long-term future of clean energy is bright. (Phyllis Cuttino, The Huffington Post)
Energy efficiency
Energy Efficiency Gaining Ground in Inefficient States, ACEEE Says - Energy efficiency is gaining momentum in states that have traditionally been behind the curve in pushing such technology, according to research by the American Council for Energy-Efficient Economy. (Environmental Leader)
Sustainability Emerges as Key Focus in $53 Billion Architectural Coatings Market - Lux Research launches a Lux Sustainability Grid to assess the true value and commercial prospects of established and emerging "green" coating technologies. (MarketWatch)
LG Electronics Brings New, Innovative Energy-Efficient Commercial HVAC Solutions To LEED-Focused Architects - Marrying innovative design with higher efficiency, Multi V III VRF technology delivers AHRI certified ratings, fast response cooling and space-saving smaller footprint. (MarketWatch)
Energy access
Nigeria: 27 Japanese Firms in Country for Investment- About 27 Japanese firms met the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr Samuel Ortom on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of investing in the Nigerian economy. (Sunday Williams, All Africa