Cleantech news as it happens — check back for regular updates:

• The Guardian reports it’s seen leaked documents indicating that London Mayor Boris Johnson plans to cut the city’s environmental staff in half;
• The UK government today launched a “Get a bag habit” campaign to encourage shoppers to use reusable carrier bags;
• Scientists at The University of Nottingham are looking at ways to produce banana-based briquettes that could be burnt for cooking and heating in Africa, where bananas are a staple crop in many countries;
• ENN reports that a growing number of US states are requiring homebuilders to require solar energy options in new construction;
• The British Science Festival – one of Europe’s largest public science events – will be coming to Birmingham in September 2010, the British Science Association and Aston University have jointly announced;
• An Internet technology developed at the National University of Ireland, Galway, is to be used by President Obama’s administration in its new website — Recovery.gov — devoted to the $800 billion economic stimulus package.

• Green technology investors seek safer havens in 2011
• New US consortium plans $1.4bn in cleantech investments
• What does 2011 hold for China, US?
• World Economic Forum: Cleantech rules
• Virtual design speeds green reality
• Opinion: Darling’s green bank idea is laughably small
• Some guys and Holy Grails: 5 rules for spotting ‘cleantech porn’
• Despite some ‘green shoots,’ cleantech VCs see trouble ahead
• Cleantech Connect Awards recognise fast-growing innovators
• Irish cleantech firms seek opportunities in Silicon Valley