The McGuinty government is working to make Ontario’s economy more competitive, and the budget announced Thursday, March 26, includes hopeful signs that "competitive" means serious investment in a green economy.

Istanbul - Business leaders from some of the world's biggest companies on Friday called for water, energy and climate change to be linked in global negotiations, such as the international climate talks due to culminate in Copenhagen in December.

Victoria - Following a request by the Province’s Environment and Land Use Committee, the lieutenant-governor in council issued an order-in-council last week to prevent permits from being issued for uranium and thorium exploration and development in B.C.

Washington, D.C. —  Earlier this month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the first comprehensive national system for reporting emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases produced by major sources in the U.S.

Ontario is getting set to introduce new electricity pricing to encourage the development of renewable energy from a diverse range of producers including homeowners, community-based groups and larger scale commercial generators.The proposed new price scale was unveiled March 12.

The UK government is developing a Low-Carbon Industrial Strategy that will aim for change in four key areas: 
energy efficiency to save businesses, consumers and the public services money; 
putting in place the energy infrastructure for the UK's low-carbon future in renewables, nuclear, carbon capture & storage, and a 'smart' grid; making the UK a global leader in the development and production of low-carbon vehicles; and 
ensuring skills, infrastructure, procurement, R&D, demonstration and deployment policies make the UK the best place to locate and develop a low-carbon business and to ensure that international business recognizes that.

One of Canada's largest oil companies is under legal fire this week for causing the death of several hundred ducks in a massive toxic tailings pond in Alberta's Tar Sands last year. Ecojustice lawyer Barry Robinson launched a private prosecution against Syncrude Canada on behalf of concerned Alberta resident, Jeh Custer. 

As a new administration transitions into the White House and Congress gears up to move an economic recovery package early next year, energy and environmental groups today issued a set of recommendations to boost the nation’s energy efficiency, create green jobs, and save energy and money. The groups urged Congress to incorporate many of the proposals into legislation to be considered in early 2009.

The United States Conference of Mayors announced late in 2008 that more than 900 mayors have signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, a significant milestone in the national campaign of cities to reduce global warming.

A large number of tropical cyclones and the earthquake in Sichuan made 2008 one of the most devastating years on record, according to leading reinsurer Munich Re. The company is urging world leaders to recognize the effects of global warming and act now to create a climate agreement that will address the problem.