AWG: set for separation

AWG plans to separate its regulated and non-regulated businesses. It hopes this will cut the regulated business' cost of capital, while allowing the non-regulated business to grow. If the restructuring is a success, AWG should be left in a good position to fund the expansion of its infrastructure management services for utilities and government.

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BT: taking steps to sustainability but consumers remain unaware

In its 2010 sustainability report, BT reports impressive achievements in terms of the reduction of both carbon intensity and waste. However, Datamonitor research shows that awareness of these efforts among consumers is limited. BT must raise the profile of its sustainability programs if it is to influence consumer purchasing decisions based on green credentials.

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E.ON: looking for a prosperous New Year

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Energy: fifth of customers would take financial services from energy supplier

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EPR/Kelda: poultry power

The GBP25 million deal is a major acquisition for EPR, which operates a 10MW chicken litter plant in Scotland. The deal leaves Kelda free to focus on its US water operations and grows EPR's standing in the renewable energy market. It looks set to benefit further from the UK's Renewables Obligation.

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French water market: walking on thin ice

The French water market could be facing one of its biggest crises. If Vivendi Environnement and la Saur are sold to foreign companies by their respective owners, the local municipalities may take action to leave the companies high and dry. Parents Bouygues and Vivendi Universal must take care to ensure that whatever action they take keeps the authorities happy.

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Global recession drives green IT financing trends

The global economic recession is driving organizations to adopt aggressive green IT strategies and flexible financing options to fund them. Increasingly, enterprises are leasing IT assets and refurbished IT machines as a way to reduce capital expenses from their balance sheets, while corporate chief financial officers are involving themselves in green IT and its financing structure.

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Green IT initiatives are not insurers' top priority

The insurance industry, perhaps more than any other sector, has the most to lose - and gain - from global climate change. In spite of this, a recent Datamonitor survey has found that few insurers operate their IT departments with the environment in mind. This does not mean, however, that insurers are not actively and positively affecting today's most challenging environmental issues.

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ScottishPower: carbon capture and storage renews EU target hopes

Energy provider ScottishPower has unveiled what is purportedly the UK's first carbon capture and storage unit. Providing the technology can be scaled up to work on an industrial scale, it offers the greatest hope of achieving the ambitious EU carbon reduction targets by eliminating carbon emissions from fossil fuel burning power stations.

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Service stations are under pressure from hand car wash chains

Nearly 33% of car washes in the UK are performed at service stations, contributing key income for fuel retailers. However, a Datamonitor survey shows that independent hand wash operations continue to gain ground. While fuel retailers are fighting back, more has to be done if they are to change motorists' perceptions that hand washing is superior and dampen their enthusiasm for the personal touch.

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