Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations

Make Electricity Cheap Again + BP's Reverse Ferret

Feb 27, 2025

Charlie Mercer, Policy Director at the Startup Coalition, advocates for government backing of climate tech in the UK, stressing the need to show returns on public funding. Emma Pinchbeck offers insights on the UK's carbon budget, highlighting the urgent requirement to lower electricity prices while advancing clean energy technologies. They delve into the challenges of industrial electrification, the importance of public investment for climate innovations, and BP's notable shift back to fossil fuels, raising concerns about the future of renewable energy transitions.

59:41

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Episode guests

Emma Pinchbeck

Charlie Mercer

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The UK's seventh carbon budget reveals that achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 could cost significantly less than previously estimated, highlighting advancements in climate technology.

Reducing electricity prices is essential for facilitating the clean energy transition, as current high costs hinder the adoption of electric technologies across sectors.

Innovation in climate technology is crucial for decarbonization, with government support potentially catalyzing private investments and enabling a transition to cleaner industry practices.

Deep dives

The Progress Towards Cleaner Energy

The discussion highlights the gradual transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy grid, emphasizing that significant advancements have already been made in generating clean electricity. The importance of not waiting for carbon capture and hydrogen infrastructure is stressed, indicating that current technologies can be deployed immediately without delay. This proactive approach to embracing renewable energy sources contributes to the reduction of carbon emissions right now. Continued efforts in building out clean energy are essential for achieving future net-zero goals.

Intro

4min

Energy Policy and Industrial Decline: A Cross-National Analysis

3min

Advocating for Climate Innovation

5min

Advocating for Net Zero: Climate Tech Innovations in the UK

21min

Understanding the Spark Gap: Energy Costs and Opportunities in the UK

4min

Navigating UK Electricity Pricing Complexities

12min

Electrification Challenges and Strategic Shifts

11min

Political Controversy and Technological Innovation in Energy Production

2min

Corporate Strategy and Market Reactions in the Oil Industry

3min

In this episode of Wicked Problems, host Richard Delevan delves into the latest developments in the UK's carbon budget and examines the prospects for clean industrial transitions in Europe. With highlights from the UK's Climate Change Committee's seventh carbon budget and insights from Emma Pinchbeck on future household energy savings, the discussion emphasizes the urgent need to reduce electricity prices while expanding clean power technologies. Interviews with climate tech experts, including Liam Hardy from Green Alliance and Charlie Mercer from the Startup Coalition, explore the pressing need for government support in electrifying industries and the potential impacts of decentralized approaches to renewable energy. The episode concludes with reflections on BP's strategic pivot back to oil and gas and the broader geopolitical implications of the energy transition.

00:00 Introduction to Clean Electricity and Carbon Capture

00:21 Weekly Climate News Recap

01:33 UK's Carbon Budget and Future Projections

03:34 Challenges and Opportunities in Clean Energy Transition

05:45 BP's Shift in Energy Strategy

07:06 Interview with Charlie Mercer on Climate Tech

09:08 Government Spending and Climate Tech Investments

15:41 Liam Hardy Green Alliance

17:16 Interview with Liam Hardy on Electrification of Industry

29:46 Encouraging Innovation in Smaller Startups

30:20 The Cost Disparity Between Electricity and Natural Gas

31:11 Understanding the Spark Gap

33:19 Challenges in Reducing Electricity Costs

37:17 Government Policies and Industrial Support

39:32 Creative Solutions for Energy Transition

41:24 Debating Hydrogen and Carbon Capture

45:43 Final Thoughts and Future Directions

48:39 BP Investor Call

48:39 BP's Strategic Reset and Future Plans

56:19 The Gulf of America Controversy

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