Cleantechinvestor.co.uk, Renewable Energy, Biofuel, Investment

OOPS. Your Flash player is missing or outdated.Click here to update your player so you can see this content.

Cleantech magazine, a Cleantech Investor publication

Editor's Letter February 2008

First published in Cleantech magazine, February 2008. Copyright Cleantech Investor 2008

Dear Reader,

Greenhouse gas emissions from transport were not covered by the Kyoto Protocol but are increasingly coming under scrutiny. Air transport is a key target area for campaigners at present, with high profile campaigns against the planned third runway at Heathrow Airport. However, shipping is also facing tougher regulation.

Shipping, in contrast to the road transport industry, has – to date – avoided tough regulation on environmental pollutants such as Sulphur and Particulate Matter. Regulatory tightening over the coming years is set to address these pollutants as well as greenhouse gas emissions. The main feature in this issue of Cleantech magazine reviews the environmental challenges facing the shipping industry. Our cover feature addresses some of the new technologies with maritime applications. And we include an in-depth look at maritime applications for fuel cells. The Cleantech interview is with Her Excellency Liliana Fernandez, Permanent Representative of Panama to the International Maritime Organisation, which is responsible for regulating international shipping.

This issue also includes a special supplement on nuclear energy – a topical issue in the UK (see centre pages). Shadow Chancellor George Osborne has proposed the creation of the Green Environmental Market (GEM), a stock market which would sit alongside the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in London, to provide finance for ‘green’ technology companies. Osborne has launched a working group which includes the London Stock Exchange and the Climate Exchange. He has been quoted as saying “We want to switch the debate on to things you can do” – in an acknowledgement that the Conservative Party faces a challenge to fulfil its ‘green’ credentials, since its philosophy remains light touch in terms of regulation.

Clean technology, or ‘cleantech’ focuses on emerging investment opportunities at all levels, both private and publically listed companies. A specialist market might help encourage some investors who might not otherwise become involved in the field. However, there are already numerous investment opportunities in the sector for those who have an interest. At Cleantech magazine, we aim to highlight some of those opportunities and to enhance understanding of where the opportunities may lie.

Anne McIvor

Editor, Cleantech magazine
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it