Energy is fundamental to economic development. It propels manufacturing, transportation, and construction, and throughout history, it’s been the driver of human prosperity. But as global population continues to increase, and countries develop, energy use could double by the end of this century—with much of that increase concentrated in the developing world. 

Meeting that demand while ensuring we stay on track to reach a net- zero future is a massive challenge. It means leveraging both new innovations and scaling up the technologies that are already available. It also means increasing investment, as emerging markets and developing economies outside China account for only around 15% of clean energy spending. 

Why is energy a critical enabler of development? What would it mean to electrify everything, and is that even possible? And what role will existing technologies like nuclear power play in a net-zero world?

This week, a re-run of host Jason Bordoff’s conversation with Eric Toone from July of this year where they discussed the challenges of increasing energy access in the developing world while rapidly cutting emissions. 

Eric is the technical lead on the Investment Committee at Breakthrough Energy Ventures. Before joining Breakthrough in 2017, he was the vice provost and director of the Duke University Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative, and a professor of chemistry and biochemistry. From 2009 to 2012 he was detailed to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency, where he served as program director and deputy director for Technology.