The Economics of Renewable Energy

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Policymakers are working towards their self-imposed deadline to come up with a successor climate treaty to the Kyoto Protocol. Their mission is to set target reductions for atmospheric carbon levels by the conclusion of United Nations’ sponsored climate talks this December in Copenhagen. A deal is looking unlikely for December. But assuming a climate deal does eventually get done, this will no doubt be a boon for the renewable energy industry. That could mean big business for solar panels, wind turbines, biofuels, and nuclear energy.

Rethinking biofuels in Europe

Biofuels have been touted as the best hope for reducing reliance on fossil fuels and limiting greenhouse gases. Now many scientists are raising doubts about that. Reporter Kathleen Schalch examines the debate in Europe over the costs and benefits of biofuels.
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