SEATTLE, Wash. -- Faced with the economic slowdown and multi-billion dollar budget shortfall, the state has released a pared-down climate change action plan and is leaning toward giving away most of the carbon permits in the regional greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program in which it will participate.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -- The United Nations boasts its Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is having a global impact on cutting emissions.

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- More than 31.5 million carbon permits were sold in the second auction of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) Wednesday for $3.38 per ton of carbon dioxide, 31 cents higher than the clearing price of $3.07 per allowance in the first auction.

BOSTON, Mass. -- Greenhouse gas emissions in the Northeast this year could ring in about 16 percent lower than the emissions cap set in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, according to nonprofit Environment Northeast. Strong demand for allowances are expected in the second auction Wednesday.

Waste-heat recovery attracts less attention than other types of clean energy but a Chinese company is proving the technology can slash emissions at some of the world's largest corporations, and in some cases, generate a carbon credit revenue stream at the same time.

When the Chinese delegate to the Poznań conference yesterday laid out a clear and thorough critique of the Clean Development Mechanism -- a system that benefits China more than any other nation -- it was the clearest sign possible that some fundamental rethinking is required.

Day two of the United Nations' Climate Summit in Poland brings the start of the "side events" hosted by non-governmental organizations of all stripes, giving attendees a chance to engage other businesses and groups, learn about new issues and discover potential business opportunities in climate management.

PARIS, -- The European Union's Emission Trading Scheme is not causing industries to move operations to countries without carbon oversight, according to a study by the International Energy Agency.

BRUSSELS, -- The airline industry has long resisted inclusion in the trading scheme and warned the additional costs will hurt an already troubled industry and force air fares higher. Airlines flying in and out of the bloc will join the EU ETS in early 2012.

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- The proposed scoping plan, which must be approved in December, aims to meet an overarching goal embodied in the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006: reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the country’s most populous state to 1990 levels by 2020.

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- The "Business Guide to the Low Carbon Economy: California" aims to help SMBs adapt to the state's aggressive climate change legislation -- and turn a profit.

Smart businesses will be paying attention -- and planning accordingly -- when the new Administration lays out its vision of how to address cost containment in climate policy.

OSLO, -- The European Parliament environment committee cast a series of votes Tuesday that will lay the groundwork for an aggressive climate change road map that will guide its 27 member states through 2020.