In the face of ever more widespread water shortages and scarcity that already affect more than a billion people worldwide, Marc Gunther argues there is some good news in the form of cost-effective, sustainable solutions to address water needs

Regulator rules average water bills will remain roughly at 2009 levels until 2015, despite industry warnings that they need to raise funds to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure

Chief executive says falling carbon price stifling investment

Opponents say taxpayers will pay for burden of concessions offered to polluters

One third to be spent building pollution control facilities, says official

Nuclear firm says just £40 is needed on every bill to put in a carbon floor price

Only one third ready for Carbon Reduction Commitment despite reputational concerns

And US will commit to greenhouse gas reduction target of 17 per cent below 2005 levels by 2020

Move comes only a week after China’s president Hu Jintao made a similar promise to reduce emissions

Getting customers to send in meter readings more regularly is first step in preparing for smart meter data onslaught