Live from SF Climate Week with Senator Scott Wiener and Shashank Samala

May 6, 2024

California Senator Scott Wiener and Heirloom CEO Shashank Samala discuss climate policy and carbon removal. Topics include SB 253, carbon accounting, and the convergence of policy and innovation. They explore the importance of standards, collaboration with startups, measuring CO2 emissions, and diverse customer categories in climate efforts.

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Introduction

00:00 • 2min

The Evolution of Climate Activism and Carbon Removal Technology

01:56 • 20min

Exploring the Multi-faceted Value of Forestry and Carbon Removal Standards

21:31 • 4min

Collaboration with Startups and Sustainable Businesses in Carbon Accounting

25:32 • 2min

Measuring CO2 Emissions and Company Valuations

27:09 • 4min

Diverse Customer Categories and Climate Policy Dynamics

31:36 • 13min

Startup Alliances, Policy Wishes, and Climate Advocacy

44:44 • 4min

In today's episode, recorded live during San Francisco Climate Week, we delve into the critical intersection of climate policy and carbon removal. Joining us are two distinguished guests: California Senator Scott Wiener, the author of the recent landmark climate legislation known as California's SB 253 or the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, and Shashank Samala, the CEO and Co-founder of Heirloom, a pioneering carbon removal company. Shashank was a previous guest on the show in 2021, and we're excited to have him back to weigh in on this important conversation.

Senator Wiener sheds light on the legislative landscape driving climate action, while Shashank offers insights into the technologies transforming carbon removal. Together, we explore the convergence of policy and innovation, examining how regulatory frameworks catalyze the adoption and scaling of technological solutions. We pack a lot into this conversation, and we hope you enjoy it!

In this episode, we cover:

[2:15] Senator Scott Wiener's background and personal climate journey
[6:04] Shashank's entrepreneurial background and transition to carbon removal
[8:38] An overview of Heirloom
[10:20] An overview of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions
[12:59] SB 253, the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, authored by Senator Wiener
[17:46] California's cap and trade system
[20:22] The importance of carbon accounting and measurement, reporting and verification (MRV)
[25:32] How the Senator's team worked with startups to verify compliance challenges
[31:48] Heirloom's categories of carbon buyers
[34:25] SB 308, Carbon Market Development Act, authored by Senator Josh Becker
[36:17] The role of geography in carbon removals
[40:14] How startups can engage with local policymakers
[45:11] The benefit of representing San Francisco as a climate tech hub
[46:29] Senator Wiener's wishlist for climate policy, including dense housing and world-class public transportation
[47:06] Shashank's wishlist for climate policy, including SB 308

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.

Connect with MCJ:

*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant