Green energy investment seeing strong rise, says WEF !!

Global investment in clean energy projects saw a big rise last year and is poised for further strong growth, a report suggests.

Investment topped $243bn (£152bn) in 2010, a rise of 30% on the $186bn spent a year earlier, the World Economic Forum (WEF) said.

It added that more clean energy sources could now compete with fossil fuels.

Higher energy prices were also likely to increase demand for clean energy, WEF said.

China boom

According to the WEF figures, clean energy investment stagnated in 2009, with a 4% rise from a year earlier.

The rebound in 2010 was spread evenly across the three regions looked at by the forum and Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

Investment in Europe, the Middle East and Africa rose by $19bn to $94.4bn, while the Americas saw a jump of $17bn to $65.8bn. In Asia and Oceania, investment rose by $20bn to $82.8bn.

The report said $51.1bn was invested in clean energy projects in China alone, a rise of 30% on 2009 levels.

Many other countries have also increased their spending on fossil fuel energy projects since the downturn.

The WEF said investment in small-scale clean energy projects took off last year, with global investment almost doubling to $59.6bn. In Germany, for example, residential and commercial rooftop solar capacity grew by a record amount.

Other countries with feed-in tariffs, such as the Czech Republic, Italy and the UK, also saw rapid growth.
Solar power parity

However, high government debt levels following the global downturn meant that some countries have been cutting back on support for clean energy, the report found.

As a result, reductions in feed-in tariffs were likely this year, it said. The WEF also highlighted the continuing lack of a federal climate or energy bill as an obstacle to clean energy in the US.

"But none of these has been sufficient to derail the sector's progress," it concluded.

Looking ahead, the report said the sector appeared to be poised for "further strong growth", supported by the fact that an increasing number of clean energy sources could now compete with traditional fossil fuel power generation without government subsidies.

Clean energy projects have generally relied on subsidies as they have not yet reached the critical mass needed to become economically viable as alternatives to traditional power sources.
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New powers to vet online adverts

People who use the internet are about to get a new opportunity to complain about company websites.

From 1 March, consumers are being invited to make official objections about indecent or misleading information on the internet.

They will be able to complain to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), which is taking on new powers to regulate commercial websites.

Up to now the ASA has only been able to monitor traditional advertising.

These were generally on billboards, in newspapers or on television.
New powers

From the start of March, the ASA will be able to police any statement on a company's website which could be interpreted as marketing, even if it is not a paid-for advert.

"The principle that ads have to be legal, decent, honest and truthful is now going to extend to companies' claims on their own websites," said Matt Wilson, of the ASA.

Earlier this month, for example, the ASA ruled that an Yves St Laurent perfume advert was unfit for broadcast on television.

It showed a woman stroking her own arm, and writhing around on the floor.

The ASA said the advert "simulated drug use", and its use on television was banned.

Under the current rules, however, the company would be entitled to use the same advert on its website, without fear of redress.

In fact the advert still appears on the Yves St Laurent UK website, but with a couple of "offending" shots removed.
Shopping claim

In another ruling this year, the ASA decided that a regional television advert for the Metrocentre on Tyneside breached the advertising code.
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With 2,500 complaints, this does not mean they will all be upheld”

End Quote Matt Wilson ASA

The Gateshead shopping centre had claimed that it was "the best shopping centre in Britain".

The ASA said that claim was based on a three-year-old survey, which was misleading.

However a quick look at the Metrocentre's website shows that they are still claiming to be the best in the country.

That is acceptable within the current rules, but should anyone complain after 1 March, the ASA would have to look at it again.

"I think anyone with a website needs to have a fresh look at it, and say 'am I totally happy about that?' " said Ian Twinn of ISBA, the industry body which represents British advertisers.

"Certainly if you have had a claim ruled against you by the ASA, now is a very good time to put that right before 1 March."
Extra workload

The ASA has spent a year preparing for the change, and is expecting a large number of extra complaints.

Last year 2,500 people complained about website content, but under the old rules their objections were not admissible.

"With 2,500 complaints, this does not mean they will all be upheld," said Mr Wilson.
Source: New powers to vet online adverts