Unlike Goldman though, which simply stuck its toes in the water by lightly trading on the European Trading Scheme, (ETS) which is currently the most advanced platform to trade the new commodity (CO2 Emission Credits), Morgan has instead announced its intention to spend an unparalleled $3 Billion, which "will be used to buy carbon credits in the various emissions trading schemes around the world."

About 90 per cent of the bank's investment will be used to buy carbon credits in the various emissions trading schemes around the world. The European Union has the most advanced carbon emissions trading market, but a global informal carbon emissions market may be developing with schemes in the US, Japan and Australia.

Morgan Stanley will invest the remainder in energy projects that generate lower emissions than conventional energy projects and earn emission credits that can in turn be sold in the various emission schemes.

2.7 Billion is going to buy Morgan a lot of dirty air. And considering there is a fixed amount of credits allocated by member nations, could this be construed as an early attempt to corner the smog market? (cough)

Global push to cut greenhouse emissions [Financial Times]
The Big Money Pouring into Carbon Trading [Financial Times]