Cleaning Up: Leadership in an Age of Climate Change

Mark Cutifani, Chairman of Vale Base Metals and formerly CEO of South African gold mining company, Ashanti, and British mining company, Anglo American, discusses the challenges of mining ethically and meeting the demand for minerals in the energy transition. He emphasizes the industry's responsibility to engage with local communities and explores the demerging of thermal coal assets. Cutifani also highlights the importance of transition minerals like nickel and copper, engagement with indigenous communities, and the significance of partnerships with local communities in the mining industry.

Solitaire Townsend, a renowned sustainability expert and solutionist, discusses the power of storytelling in sustainability communication, the influence of advertising and the transition to web 3, bringing sustainable pet food to the market, working together for entrepreneurial growth, solutionists and the importance of mental resilience, and power, money, and influence in shaping the sustainability conversation.

Ed Conway, Economics editor at Sky News, discusses his book 'Material World' which explores the history and future of crucial substances. Topics include the significance of materials in infrastructure, challenges in achieving net zero carbon emissions in the steel industry, risks associated with spoil piles, the role of copper in the energy transition, and ethical concerns around battery materials.

Lord Adair Turner, a prominent figure in business, policy, and academia, discusses progress and challenges in transitioning away from fossil fuels, the debate between reducing consumption and offsetting emissions, the effectiveness of heat pumps, advancements in solar and wind energy, implementing clear policies for the green premium in global shipping, the importance of blended finance and global financial support for climate change initiatives, and the challenges faced by countries in attracting private external investment.

Dr Hannah Ritchie, a data scientist and science communicator, discusses positive trends in climate change, renewable energy, environmental issues in farming, and the societal process of making choices in addressing environmental problems. She emphasizes the need for hope and practical solutions to combat the climate crisis.

Jason Anderson, Senior Program Director at ClimateWorks, discusses international efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, the challenges in reversing emission trends, transitioning to new electrical technologies, and the importance of addressing non-CO2 gases. They also explore the potential for international regulations on super pollutants and the role of philanthropy in tackling these issues.

Prof Avinash Persaud, special envoy to the Prime Minister of Barbados, discusses topics such as the Bridgetown Initiative, reducing foreign exchange risk, addressing climate change in vulnerable countries, and the challenges of coalition building. He shares insights from his career in finance, academia, and public policy, highlighting the importance of sustainable renewable energy infrastructure.

Mateo Jaramillo, Co-Founder and CEO of Form Energy, discusses their low-cost multi-day energy storage solutions based on an iron air battery chemistry. They explore the role of batteries in the energy grid, the appearance and composition of iron-air batteries, and the challenges of scaling up manufacturing and entering the European market. They also discuss the difficulties of hydrogen storage and the benefits of electrochemical cells. Overall, an insightful conversation on the future of renewable energy.

This week, Bryony’s guest is Johannah Christensen, CEO of the Global Maritime Forum. The GMF is an international not-for-profit organization, committed to shaping the future of global seaborne trade to increase sustainable long-term economic development and human wellbeing. To do so, it facilitates a wide variety of initiatives and convenes key stakeholders at the Annual Summit. Bryony met Johannah when she was working on shipping for the Environmental Defense Fund. Before becoming CEO in 2021, she was Managing Director, Head of Projects and Programmes, also at GMF. She was also previously a Programme Manager at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Johannah has a BSc in Business Administration and Modern Languages from Aarhus University and and MSc in Economics and Business Administration from Copenhagen Business School.   Links The Global Maritime Forum’s Website: https://www.globalmaritimeforum.org Professor Jim Hansen’s recent paper on aerosol pollution and climate: https://academic.oup.com/oocc/article/3/1/kgad008/7335889?login=false An article from Oxford’s Smith School on CFDs for shipping: https://www.smithschool.ox.ac.uk/news/contracts-difference-can-aid-shipping-industry-decarbonisation-research Michael’s most recent version of his famous “Hydrogen Ladder”: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hydrogen-ladder-version-50-michael-liebreich/ The IMO’s new strategy on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in shipping: https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/OurWork/Environment/Documents/annex/MEPC%2080/Annex%2015.pdf The announcement of the next IMO summit in Tokyo: https://www.globalmaritimeforum.org/press/global-maritime-forum-announces-tokyo-as-2024-annual-summit-host     

Alex Grant, CEO at Magrathea Metals, discusses the groundbreaking work in electrolytic technology for magnesium production. They explore the environmental impact, potential applications, and advantages of magnesium. The chapter covers replacing aluminum with magnesium, making magnesium from seawater, and the scale-up process for the project. They also highlight the positive impacts on climate change and the need for non-China sources of magnesium metal.