Cleaning Up: Leadership in an Age of Climate Change

In this engaging discussion, Michael Liebreich, a leader in green finance, and Bryony Worthington, a climate advocate, recap significant climate developments. They explore China's rapid advancements in solar energy and electric vehicles, shedding light on the complexities of battery recycling. The duo also tackle the potential of thermal batteries for renewable energy storage and assess the viability of engineered carbon solutions. Additionally, they analyze the intersection of climate politics and recent UK election outcomes, weaving together a vision for a sustainable future.

Jenny Chase, a lead solar analyst at BloombergNEF, dives into the explosive growth of the solar industry over the past two decades. She discusses the industry's evolution, mythbusts common misconceptions, and charts its future. The conversation covers China's dominance in solar production, the challenges of solar pricing for developing countries, and the exciting prospect of achieving free electricity. With insights from her new book, Jenny emphasizes the need for innovation and diversification in tackling global energy demands.

John Marshall, Founder of the Potential Energy Coalition, discusses countering climate change narrative using data-driven marketing strategies. Topics include shaping climate narrative, promoting clean energy solutions, tailoring global marketing strategies, and using love as a tool for environmental progress.

Dr. Rosemary Barnes discusses the role of engineering in tackling climate change, focusing on wind turbine design, hydrogen debate, and nuclear power in Australia. She emphasizes the importance of engineers' voices in the climate conversation and offers advice for women in STEM fields.

Ben Nelmes, Chief Executive of New Automotive, discusses the inevitability of the EV revolution. Topics include: shaping policy debates with data, EV cost trends, political landscape in UK and Europe, EVs impact on government revenues, integrating renewable energy, challenges in transitioning to electric vehicles, and influencing EV policy in Europe.

Dr. Simon Evans from Carbon Brief discusses UK election manifestos, climate policies, and funding sources for clean energy projects. Topics include Labour's clean power goals, challenges in achieving ambitious targets, and Scotland's climate leadership. The conversation delves into differences between Conservative and Labour energy policies, government interventions, and public support for energy initiatives.

Anand Gopal, from Energy Innovation, discusses thermal batteries storing renewable energy as heat for industrial processes. Challenges include cost competitiveness with gas. Explore the transition to clean energy in industry and the potential of thermal batteries in reducing emissions and enhancing efficiency.

Grant Swartzwelder, methane science expert, discusses conflicting estimates of methane leakage in the oil and gas industry, the challenges of reducing emissions, and the importance of reliable methane data. The conversation also explores the impact of methane emissions in major producing states like Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, as well as the complexities of managing gas leaks in oil facilities and the challenges faced by companies in adhering to regulations

Bruce Friedrich, President of the Good Food Institute, discusses the future of food with plant-based and cultivated meat technologies. The podcast explores the challenges and potentials of alternative proteins in scaling and transforming our food system. Topics include policy, public opinion, and big agriculture's roles in the sustainable food movement.

Hans Eric Melin, the expert on battery recycling, challenges myths about low recycling rates, highlighting potential rates of up to 90%. He discusses the importance of data in circular energy storage and addresses challenges in battery recycling, collection rates, repurposing electric vehicle batteries, market values, and opportunities in the industry.