Carbon trading the next big thing?

Depending on how it works out in Washington, the carbon market could be given a big boost. That just might create some opportunities for big investment banks as well as exchanges.

The CME--which has partnered with the likes of Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan and Merrill Lynch--has applied for CFTC approval for a Green Exchange, on which it will trade environmental products, notes Wall Street & Technology. BlueNext, an environmental exchange that's 60 percent owned by NYSE Euronext, plans to open an office in New York soon.

Some argue the technology to trade these products is the same as that required for any other product. So we may see established exchanges seeking a foothold. Some start-up firms are also active right now, so stay tuned. 

For more:
- here's the article

Related Articles:
Are you ready to count your carbon?
Goldman Sachs bets on carbon offsets
Carbon trading surges in London