Eco-millionaires see boom times ahead

Mankind’s response to climate change will shift how the world gets its energy and is already making “green barons” out of early investors in renewable energy, clean technologies and carbon trading.

Reuters spoke to four entrepreneurs who are cashing in on the energy revolution and who say there is more money to be made.
BRUCE KHOURI, co-founder of Solar Integrated Technologies , based in Los Angeles, has at the age of 48 made $5 million (2.5 million pounds) by cashing in shares in the company.

He still has a $11 million stake in the company, which makes lightweight solar panels for commercial roofs. He saw the opportunity while running his own industrial roofing firm.

PEDRO MOURA COSTA, co-founder of Oxford-based EcoSecurities , 44, made 4.8 million pounds ($10 million) when he sold some shares in the firm which helps convert emission cuts into tradable carbon credits. His remaining shares are worth about 37 million pounds ($73 million).

DAVID SCAYSBROOK, founder of Novera Energy , a 43-year old Australian, made 3 million pounds ($6 million) when he cashed in some of his shares in the wind power and landfill gas firm he founded in 1998. He has about 3 million pounds ($6 million) worth of shares invested in Novera and carbon cutter Camco International , which he advises.

NEIL ECKERT, chief executive of Climate Exchange , which runs the main European exchange for carbon trading, has shares worth about 18 million pounds ($36 million). He is also non-executive chairman of Trading Emissions and Econergy , both involved in emission-cutting projects and generating revenue from carbon credits.

Scotsman