The money is green

The climate change shift has influenced more than $100 billion in investments over the past year, with businesses, investors and consumers spending more on renewable energy.

According to the annual Worldwatch Institute State of the World report, spending on sources including solar, wind, hydro and geothermal electricity have seen a jump of 27 percent since 2006. Carbon trading tripled to $30 billion.
 
The report says more needs to be done, calling for government policy to steer investment away from fossil fuels towards sustainable practices.
 
Domestically, local industry awaits a federal government initiative that will promote a target of 20 percent of electricity coming from renewable sources by 2020. An Australian carbon trading should begin in 2010, which may involve businesses paying for emission permits.