Winners revealed in 12th annual Environmental Finance market survey

14 December 2011

Environmental Finance and Carbon Finance have named the winners in their 12th annual market survey.

"The findings come as the successful outcome of the Durban climate talks has provided a much-needed shot in the arm for carbon trading," said Mark Nicholls, editor of Environmental Finance. "With California and Australia both passing regulations to establish carbon markets, the concept is once more on the march."

The survey – the most closely watched poll of sentiment across carbon, renewable energy, weather risk and US emissions markets – reveals those firms that their clients, peers and competitors have judged to have provided the best service over the previous twelve months.

Within California's emerging carbon market, Element Markets, Evolution Markets, EOS Climate were named as leaders, while Westpac, Next Generation, CO2 Australia scooped Australasian carbon market categories.

"The outlook for renewable energy, too, is rosy, with levels of investment anticipated to rise, especially as offshore wind development in Europe picks up," Nicholls added. "However, the European debt crisis is crimping the ability of leading European banks to finance this market, presenting opportunities for new participants to move in."

Nonetheless, Spain's BBVA was voted Best Finance House, North America, while Deutsche Bank leads in Europe.

The survey also polled readers for the best brokers, dealers and service providers in the weather and catastrophe risk markets. "Customer business in the weather risk market is on the rise, with dealers reporting growing interest from new markets, such as wind and solar farm operators and farmers," Nicholls said.

RenRe Energy Advisors continues to dominate weather risk categories, while c. $5 billion catastrophe risk fund Nephila Capital wins best trader in cat risk category.

US emissions markets – covering the gases which cause acid rain and smog – remain sluggish, with new regulations under legal threat. "Market participants remain wary of legal challenges once more invalidating the Environmental Protection Agency's emissions trading rules," he added, "leaving power plants and other industrial facilities unsure of how best to comply with their environmental objectives."

During October and November, more than 1,000 votes were received in the market survey from readers of the two publications, and from others active in environmental trading and finance.

The results and the accompanying write-ups are to be published in the December 2011-January 2012 issues of Environmental Finance and Carbon Finance, and will be online shortly.

Click here to download a PDF listing the awards.