Introduction

What do Glenfiddich whisky, yoga pants and a trash-burning waste-to-heat plant in Europe have in common? They’re all part of efforts to use emerging technologies to tackle climate change. 

As companies and countries around the world pursue net zero targets, one big question is: How do you ensure the carbon removal technologies we will need 20 to 30 years down the road are available, affordable and easily scaled?

In this episode of ESG Insider, we bring you the second part in our miniseries about emerging climate technologies. We hear how Scotch whisky maker Glenfiddich uses a part of its distillery process to power delivery trucks. We explore how biotech company LanzaTech is using bacteria to recycle gases into ethanol that is used to create everything from yoga pants to shampoo bottles to low-carbon aviation fuels.  

And lastly, we learn how Fortum Oslo Varme’s waste-to-energy trash-burning plant in Norway is being converted to capture carbon emissions and send them to be permanently stored deep under the North Sea. This technology is often referred to as bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, or BECCS, and can be used to help tackle climate change when done in a sustainable manner. 

Photo credit: William Grant & Sons