The podcast discusses the energy transition in developing countries, focusing on Africa. It explores the impacts of climate change, clean energy development, and the potential for untapped reserves in Africa. It also addresses China's dominance in critical minerals, the economic and strategic benefits of the US-Africa partnership in the energy transition, and the challenges and opportunities in African mining.

Climate leaders, scholars, and activists gather for COP28 to discuss fossil fuels, loss and damage commitments, and clean energy economics. Challenges and complexities of the conference are explored in light of recent developments and geopolitical conflicts. The phase out or phase down of fossil fuels is debated, including coal power and carbon capture technology. The role of national oil companies and the importance of clean energy investments are discussed. Progress in addressing loss and damage from climate change, as well as tensions over trade and the need for a framework to address the climate crisis, are examined. The role of the United States in addressing climate change in the international trade system is also explored.

Canada's energy landscape is a mix of low-carbon power and oil/gas production. The government aims to accelerate climate goals, but faces challenges with fossil fuel reliance. There's a focus on a just energy transition and upholding First Nations' rights. The podcast discusses Canada's climate policy, carbon pricing, economic impacts of transitioning, and expectations for COP28. The importance of collaboration, loss and damage issues, and future debrief possibilities are also explored.

The podcast discusses the aftermath of deadly wildfires in Maui and the community's efforts to rebuild. It focuses on the work of Elemental Accelerator, a nonprofit investor in climate technology that collaborates with local nonprofits. The podcast also highlights projects in Hawaii to reduce carbon intensity and the importance of local involvement and community investment in driving climate solutions. It shares the success story of Kauai in rebounding from a hurricane by embracing renewable energy. Additionally, it explores the importance of climate jobs and internships for diverse voices in the industry.

The practice of capturing steam bursting through the earth’s surface to generate electricity has been around for more than a century. This is the traditional concept of geothermal energy. But thanks to research and development in both the private and public sectors, new forms of capturing subsurface heat have been developed. Fervo Energy, an advanced geothermal start-up, made headlines this year with breakthroughs in drilling techniques inspired by those of oil and gas. After a successful 30-day pilot this summer, known as Project Red, Fervo proved it can produce 24/7 carbon-free energy using enhanced geothermal systems.  So what led to these breakthroughs? And what role can geothermal play in the energy transition?  This week host Bill Loveless talks with Tim Latimer about innovation in geothermal technology and scaling opportunities in the U.S. Tim is the co-founder and CEO of Fervo Energy. After studying geothermal energy in grad school at Stanford University, he started the company in 2017 with Jack Norbeck. Before Stanford, Tim worked as a drilling engineer for BHP Billiton in the Permian and Eagle Ford basins in Texas. He has also worked as a consultant for the Boston Consulting Group, Biota Technology, and McClure Geo-mechanics.

“Coal demand reached a new all-time high in 2022.” That was the headline of the International Energy Agency’s annual coal market update, released in July of this year. In fact, 2022 was the third year in a row that global coal consumption has increased.  This growth occurs against the backdrop of an ever-worsening climate crisis driven by energy sector emissions, of which coal accounts for 40%, and it’s why the IEA’s own executive director Fatih Birol called for an end to new coal power plant construction in a recent op-ed. But despite coal’s impact on the climate, it remains a vital source of energy for much of the world, particularly in Asia.  What is the outlook for coal in the years to come? What will it take to move away from the fuel? And what would phasing it out mean for emerging and developing economies? This week host Jason Bordoff talks with Carlos Fernández Alvarez about the findings of this year’s Coal Market Update. Carlos is a senior coal analyst at the International Energy Agency, and recently served as the acting head of the Gas, Coal, and Power Markets division. He was the lead author on this year’s Coal Market Update and has contributed to many other IEA reports, including the organization’s flagship publication, the World Energy Outlook. Carlos has 25 years of experience in the energy sector, serving as an energy consultant, an energy advisor for the Spanish Government, and later as the director of the Spanish Coal Agency.

The energy transition requires a lot of minerals. Lithium, copper, cobalt, nickel, and other materials that are collectively known as “critical minerals” are vital components of most clean energy technologies. According to the International Energy Agency, getting on track for net zero will mean a sixfold increase in the demand for these materials by 2040. But mineral production has a mixed history. Without proper protections, mining can have negative impacts on environmental health, labor practices, and Indigenous communities. Therefore, the prospects for a just energy transition will depend both on meeting future demand for critical minerals, and on doing so in a just and sustainable way.  What does the next decade hold for the mining industry? What challenges will critical minerals pose for energy and geopolitics? And what can be done today to overcome these challenges? This week, host Jason Bordoff talks with Ernest Scheyder about critical mineral supply. Ernest is a senior correspondent for Reuters covering the green energy transition and critical minerals. He is also the author of the forthcoming book, The War Below: Lithium, Copper, and the Global Battle to Power Our Lives. The War Below details the complex choices facing our world as the energy transition accelerates. Ernie has previously covered the American shale oil revolution, politics, and the environment

Fifty years ago today, on October 17, 1973, a group of Arab oil ministers announced an embargo on oil exports to the United States and other countries in retaliation for America’s support of Israel in the Arab-Israeli War. What followed is seared into the American psyche: Fuel shortages across the country left drivers waiting for hours at the gas pump. Even the White House’s Christmas tree remained unlit as a sign of austerity.  The Arab Oil Embargo has defined energy policy in Washington ever since. In the decades following, markets evolved and governments developed new tools to deal with fuel shortages. But underlying risks remain. What is the legacy of the Arab Oil Embargo? How do today’s energy security risks compare to those from 1973? And how does the climate crisis complicate efforts to address them?   This week host Jason Bordoff talks with Dr. Daniel Yergin about the legacy of the Arab Oil Embargo, the current crisis in the Middle East, and the outlook for energy security. Dan is the vice chairman of S&P Global, a major financial information and analytics company. He is the author of several books on the history of energy, including his newest, The New Map: Energy, Climate and the Clash of Nations and his Pulitzer Prize winner, The Prize. He is widely regarded as one of the world’s foremost experts on energy, economics, and geopolitics. Dan spoke at the Center on Global Energy Policy on October 11, 2023 for an event marking the 50th anniversary of the Arab Oil Embargo. His keynote remarks can be found here.

The podcast discusses public opinion on climate change in the US and around the world, focusing on the 'Climate Change in the American Mind' report series. It covers the importance of effective communication and engagement, increasing concern about climate change in the 2024 election campaigns, challenges in messaging the Inflation Reduction Act, transitioning to a green economy and the role of fossil fuel workers, limitations of surveys, and mixed emotions about the future.

The podcast features conversations with fellows discussing the importance of energy transitions in low-income communities. They also provide advice for young women in the energy industry and discuss young people's perspective on climate action and energy sector growth.