This is the first installment of a five-part blog series on scaling environmental entrepreneurship in emerging markets. In forthcoming posts, experts in the field will provide insights…

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p>After 13 years of building support for environmental entrepreneurship, the World Resources Institute will conclude its role as coordinator for the New Ventures global network at the end of 2012.

Kirsty Jenkinson talks about how New Ventures, WRI’s center for environmental entrepreneurship, helps environmentally-focused small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets compete in a global economy.

What is New Ventures?

SBA Hydro is just one of the many companies starting to bring clean energy to India’s rural poor.

This post is the first of a series by WRI and CDF-IFMR on the market for clean energy for the base of the pyramid in India.

The New Ventures directors answer questions about what small, sustainable companies can do to boost local economies and protect the environment.

The market potential for energy savings companies (ESCOs) in India is great, yet barriers still stand in the way of the industry’s growth.

Listen to the full podcast interview:

The New Ventures India community recently convened its annual Investor Summit to discuss small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the opportunities and obstacles investors face.

Forthcoming WRI research hopes to help overcome barriers in India’s burgeoning ESCO market.

Despite the global economic downturn, China’s environmental and renewable energy sectors are poised for another year of strong growth. However, private investors must exercise caution, as green industries still face a daunting array of challenges.