China regains clean energy investment lead

Report: Country attracts $65.1b investment last year, a 20 percent rise, against 11 percent global fall

China regained the global top spot in clean energy investment in 2012, with a robust 20 percent rise while investment in the United States and Europe dropped, according to a report released on Thursday.

The Pew Charitable Trusts report on clean energy found that China attracted $65.1 billion in renewable energy investment, the third time the country has headed the investment rankings since 2009.

The report said investment levels worldwide declined 11 percent during the year.

The United States, last year's world leader, ranked second with investment in the sector dropping 37 percent to $35.6 billion in 2012.

Germany ranked third with $22.8 billion, down 27 percent compared with the previous year.

"When we look around the world, we see policy really matters when it comes to where investment will be going," said Phyllis Cuttino, director of Pew's Clean Energy Program.

She added that renewable energy investment policies in the US have been very uncertain, meaning investors have looked elsewhere, in areas where returns can be more guaranteed.

The assessment report showed the center of gravity for investment has shifted from the traditional, established markets in the West to emerging markets in the East.

Investment in the Asia and Oceania region grew by 16 percent to $101 billion in 2012, making it the leading regional destination for investment for the first time.