Cleaning Up: Leadership in an Age of Climate Change

Have We Lost The Climate Argument? Ep190: Lord Adair Turner

46 snips

Dec 18, 2024

In this discussion, Adair Turner, Lord Turner of Etchinswell, chair of the Energy Transitions Commission, delves into the urgent need for climate action. He highlights the promising advancements in solar and battery technologies but warns about the political challenges facing rapid decarbonization. Turner emphasizes the role of nuclear power in a diversified energy portfolio, advocates for innovative electricity pricing, and critiques global climate finance complexities, all while maintaining an optimistic outlook on achieving net zero by 2070-2080.

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INSIGHT

Solar Age

Solar PV and battery technologies are improving faster than expected, driving down prices.
These advancements will be transformational, especially in sunny regions.

INSIGHT

Wind Energy Challenges

Wind energy has faced recent cost increases due to rising capital costs and supply chain issues.
However, China's wind turbine costs continue to decrease, presenting a challenge for Europe and the US.

INSIGHT

Nuclear's Role

Nuclear energy's role in the future energy mix is being assessed by the Energy Transitions Commission.
While renewables are expected to dominate, nuclear may be needed in specific regions or situations.

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Are we losing the argument that climate change requires action and investment? Can we balance the need for affordable energy with the costs of decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like steel, cement and aviation? And how can we counter the spread of misinformation and populist narratives that undermine support for clean energy?

This week on Cleaning Up, Michael Liebreich welcomes back Lord Adair Turner for a deep dive into the state of the energy transition at the end of 2024. They discuss the remarkable progress in technologies like solar, batteries and electrification, but also the political and economic challenges of driving rapid decarbonisation. Turner shares his optimism that we have the technologies to reach net zero by 2070-2080, but also his concern that the pace of change may not be fast enough to avoid significant warming. They explore issues like the role of nuclear power, the need for grid investment, and the complexities of climate finance and international cooperation.

This episode grapples with the tension between technological progress and political realities - and how to navigate that divide to accelerate the transition to a sustainable, zero-carbon future as we move into the new year.

Leadership Circle

Cleaning Up is supported by the Leadership Circle, and its founding members: Actis, Alcazar Energy, EcoPragma Capital, EDP of Portugal, Eurelectric, the Gilardini Foundation, KKR, National Grid, Octopus Energy, Quadrature Climate Foundation, SDCL and Wärtsilä. For more information on the Leadership Circle, please visit https://www.cleaningup.live.

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