Indeed, a whole lot of companies claim they are paying attention to climate change, sustainable energy and green investments, and indeed, a lot of companies are putting the money where their mouth is. Mainstream companies and utilities that used to moan about the burden of sustainability, now suddenly recognise the opportunities. And that is a good thing, I say this without any scepticism.

However, let's also face the danger of being No1 on the finance hit list. A growing market attracts many people, with good and sustainable intentions, as well as cowboys who are just pursuing some fast money. It is important to have some control on the growth of the market, in order not to upset the delicate balance of financiers, projects and market.

Some are referring to the sustainable energy sector as a bubble that is about to burst, like the ICT sector once did. Most definitely, some companies will turn out to be operating beyond their means, and likewise, investors will be disappointed. It might even have devastating effects on the market, but I am convinced that this will be only temporary.

The differences between ICT and sustainable energy are larger than their similarities. Sustainable energy has still enormous possibilities to earn cheap money, for instance with energy saving. Again quoting the optimistic UNEP yearbook: combating climate change is 'a path to a new kind of prosperity. Invention, innovation and the imagination of engineers are driven on a scale perhaps not witnessed since the industrial revolution.' I am glad to agree with that statement.

Rolf de Vos
Editor in chief
GreenPrices
r.devos@greenprices.com