Sempra solar energy project makes advances in costs. Generating clean electricity that's as cheap as power from fossil fuels is the Holy Grail of green-energy companies. A new solar project powering California homes appears to be closing in on that prize. [News Source]

Tax carrot to help small Tokyo firms go green. In a bid to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the capital, the Tokyo metropolitan government likely will introduce tax cuts from April for small and midsize companies that bring about energy savings through equipment and plant investment. [News Source]

Japan races to build a zero-emission car. Zero-emission vehicles may not be a novel concept for long. Japanese carmakers are racing to develop electric cars, and US and European manufacturers have also announced plans to roll them out within a few years. [News Source]

Soot tops NASA’s climate blacklist. Governments could slow global warming dramatically, and buy time to avert disastrous climate change, by slashing emissions of one of humanity's most familiar pollutants soot, according to NASA scientists. [News Source]

New cash crop for farmers could be carbon trade. Carbon emissions are increasingly at the forefront of policy issues, and experts say agricultural practices could play a role in decreasing emissions while providing farmers with a new cash crop. [News Source]

Driven by solar energy. Quietly solar energy has been making inroads in Trinidad - several companies have started cutting electrical costs by installing solar powered energy. [News Source]

Satellite will show how the earth “breathes”. A satellite that will measure how the earth "breathes out" greenhouse gases is to be launched into space this month. [News Source]

Californians to Bush: the feeling’s mutual. Democrats, withering in their estimation of Bush's footprint on the Golden State, say they won't look back with fondness on the era. [News Source]

Budget threatens going green. An Iowa advisory council's recommendations to cut pollution and curb greenhouse gases could face particular resistance in a tight budget year. [News Source]

Oman plans several events for Environment Day on January 8. Events planned include tree planting, exhibitions and seminars, cleaning of coral reefs and beaches, planting of mangroves, educational visits to nature reserves, sports, painting and photographic competitions. [News Source]

Hefty challenges await Bangladesh PM-elect. When Sheikh Hasina Wajed is sworn in as Bangladesh's prime minister on Tuesday, she faces a daunting array of problems ranging from spiralling food prices to the effects of global warming. [News Source]