Invested In Climate

When it comes to big companies’ sustainability commitments, I’ve long been impressed by Salesforce. They made sustainability a core company value and pledged to put the full power of their business behind protecting the planet. Hold your skepticism for a minute – this is more than just big promises. They achieved net zero residual emissions and transitioned to 100% renewable energy for their operations back in 2021. They’re part of an effort to plant one trillion trees, and they’ve integrated helping other companies accelerate their own sustainability efforts into their core business through their Net Zero Cloud product. There’s much more too and I won’t try to capture it all, but central to their approach has also been leveraging their financial capital to accelerate climate progress. And that’s what we’ll focus on in this episode. Today we’re joined by Salesforce’s SVP of Philanthropy Naomi Morenzoni and the Partner of Salesforce Venture Impact Fund Claudine Emeott. We talk about Salesforce’s history and strategy for using philanthropy and impact investing together to address climate change, some examples of recent investments and partnerships, how philanthropy can help derisk investments and bring more dollars to the table, how AI could be a game changer for climate and much more. Lots to learn and think about in this one. Here we go. In today's episode, we cover:[4:10] Naomi's role and objectives at Salesforce [4:50] Claudine's introduction and background [5:53] Launch and evolution of the Salesforce Venture Impact Fund [7:24] Evolution and approach to nonprofit support at Salesforce [9:33] Solving problems through philanthropy and impact investing [11:56] Example of Pano AI and its alignment with the fund [14:07] Investment in WeaveGrid [15:34] Leveraging Salesforce technology and market presence for portfolio companies [18:12] Philanthropic commitments and frameworks for impact evaluation [18:12] Contrasting focus areas between Naomi and Claudine [21:38] The state of climate philanthropy and the need for increased support [23:33] Introduction and purpose of the playbook [25:41] Financial instruments for climate initiatives and Salesforce's experience [26:38] Levers for climate finance[28:53] Five tips for readers to embark on their climate finance journey [30:37] $8.3 million in grants to climate justice and conservation organizations [33:45] Prospects for commitments to biodiversity and conservation [35:03] Partnerships and initiatives in climate justice [37:41] Supporting diverse teams in climate initiatives [40:26] Impact of AI on climate efforts [44:05] Current challenges in their work [45:50] Lessons from Salesforce's ambitious climate initiativesResources MentionedSalesforce: Environmental SustainabilitySalesforce Venture Impact FundSalesforce & Climate Policy Initiative: The Corporate Climate Finance PlaybookClimate Policy InitiativeElemental ExceleratorPano AIWeaveGridThe Nature ConservancyThe Ocean FoundationNew Energy NexusRE-volvGlobal Forest GenerationGreenWave Island ConservationRainforest ConnectionConnect with Naomi Morenzoni & Claudine EmeottConnect with Naomi on LinkedInConnect with Claudine on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

Today we’re joined by three team members of Braemar Energy Ventures, ESG Head Lori Collins, Partner Don Tappan, a Co-Founder and Managing Partner Bill Lese. I was excited to talk to the Braemar team because their firm has been investing in energy companies for over 20 years and have backed some early category-defining pioneers like ChargePoint and EnerNOC. Since they’re investing in a wide range of companies driving the energy transition, they bring broad insights to today’s climate tech opportunities as well historical lessons from the clean tech 1.0 years. We dive deep into three of their investments, offering insights to the carbon transformation market, applying AI to upgrade the grid and last but definitely not least, nuclear fusion. We talk about the trends in those spaces, why Braemar made the bets that they did, the ESG and impact considerations of their portfolio companies and much more. Enjoy.In today’s episode, we cover:[2:25] Lori’s role & work at Braemar[3:42] Don’s role & work at Braemar[4:20] Bill’s story & founding of Braemar[5:39] How is Braemar different today in talking about the energy transition[7:29] Learnings from the clean tech 1.0 years[9:00] Braemar’s investment thesis[11:13] Learnings over a decade of investing in the space [12:35] ESG & impact both internally & with a portfolio[13:30] Helping portfolio companies reduce emissions & remove carbon [15:03] Profit pools & what spaces are seen as offering the best investment opportunities[17:54] CarbonFree & why Braemar invested[19:55] The state of the carbon transformation market & its future[23:27] Utilidata & why Braemar invested[26:36] AI for the grid[30:45] General Fusion[35:54] The timeframe for fusion[38:47] Predictions for the climate tech space in 2024 & what needs more attentionResources MentionedBraemar Energy VenturesChargePointEnerNOCCarbonFreeUtilidataGeneral FusionConnect with Lori Collins, Don Tappan & Bill LeseConnect with Lori on LinkedInConnect with Don on LinkedInConnect with Bill on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

Ben Hubbard, CEO of Nexus PMG, joins the podcast to discuss opportunities in renewable energy infrastructure, waste conversion into upcycled materials, and biomass. Greenbacker Capital Management's investment in Nexus highlights the importance of investing in sustainable infrastructure. The speakers also explore the use of woody biomass in sustainable aviation fuel, the impact of policy on the renewable energy market, and challenges in scaling low-carbon infrastructure projects.

Heat pumps have gotten a lot of attention lately. They’re one of the technologies most critical to electrifying buildings and removing our dependency on fossil fuels for heating and cooling. And, they’re a technology that’s taking off. Sales of heat pumps have grown by double digits for two years running. According to the Sustainability Trends Report published recently by Al Gore’s investment firm Generation, heat pump sales In Europe grew by 50% and they’re now outselling gas furnaces in the United States.  But did you know there’s more than one kind of heat pump? Today, we’re joined by Kathy Hannun, Founder of Dandelion Energy, a geothermal startup that grew out of Google X and is now growing quickly. Kathy explains how heat pumps work, the difference between air source and geothermal heat pumps, the economics and experience for heat pump buyers, and much more. Whether you’re a homeowner still relying on fossil fuels or simply interested in the future of buildings, this episode has a lot for you. Enjoy. In today's episode, we cover:[3:43] Kathy’s background & she came to found Dandelion [4:46] Developing Dandelion at Google X, the spinout & the complexities[8:11] What heat pumps are, how they work & why they're important from a climate perspective[12:32] The user experience, performance, maintenance & operating costs for homeowners[14:16] Geothermal heat pumps: the difference between air source vs. ground source[17:01] How customers are thinking about the economics of investing in a heat pump[20:06] The longevity of HVAC systems & replacing them[24:07] Dandelion’s focus on the US Northeast[26:08] Where geothermal heat pumps work from a technology perspective [27:09] How national incentives & policy changes have been helpful[28:07] The growth of the heat pump market[29:17] The biggest barriers for Dandelion & the market overall[32:23] The role of HVAC contractors[34:49] The next three to five years & what’s next for DandelionResources MentionedDandelion EnergyGeneration: Sustainability Trends Report 2023Google XConnect with Kathy HannunConnect with Kathy on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

Former Vice President of the United States, Al Gore, and several other notable speakers discuss highlights from New York Climate Week, including the climate march, the role of corporations in cutting emissions, and the challenges faced by developing countries. They delve into topics such as commercialization of clean energy, the lack of commitment from companies in climate action, and the intersectionality of climate change with health, AI, food, and national security.

When it comes to plastics, we’re in a real bind. We have yet to develop and scale attractive alternatives to the petroleum-based plastic products we all use every day, and the plastics industry drives well over a billion tons of greenhouse gasses, that’s roughly 4% of total global emissions and plastic-related emissions are on track to double by 2060. Meanwhile, a small fraction – we’re talking less than 10% – of plastics are recycled. Creating a circular economy for plastics is vital to eliminating the flow of plastic waste into our environment and to reducing the emissions generated from creating new plastic products.  Today’s conversation focuses on an ambitious effort to catalyze and fund the systems change needed to get us there. Circulate Capital is working to unlock a billion dollars to invest in circular solutions, and its partner Circulate Initiative offers research and insights to track this space and help recruit more private and public investment in this space. We’re joined by Ellen Martin, Circulate Capital’s Chief Impact Officer, and Umesh Madhavan, Research Director for Circulate Initiative. We talk about the history and state of the plastics crisis, their current efforts, and the investment opportunities they see. Circulate has impressive momentum in building coalitions of different kinds of investors – from governments to Fortune 100 companies. This blended finance approach is surely a key to mobilizing the commitment we need, and I was grateful to learn so much about it through this conversation. Here we go.  In today’s episode, we cover:[3:18] Circulate Capital, Ellen’s role & where they’re based geographically[4:24] Circulate Initiatives & Umesh’s role[5:24] How Circulate Capital & Circulate Initiatives are connected[6:56] The plastics problem & what’s causing it[8:57] The plastics problem timeline[11:01] Overlaps between plastic pollution, climate, ocean health & circular solutions[13:04] Why Circulate Capital was established & what they’re aiming to do [16:41] De-risking the investments using concessionary capital [19:08] Using a highly collaborative investment ecosystem to solve the plastic waste challenge[19:47] Circulate Capital’s role & how it’s focused[20:59] Working with LPs to scale circular solutions[23:24] What should we all know about the plastics economy & how it works[25:06] Asia & Latin America plastic markets[27:50] Breaking down $4B in investments in the circular economy for plastics[31:27] The greatest opportunities from an investment lens[34:15] What more needs to be done around the plastic waste problem[36:32] The Plastics Treaty, its state of play & what impact will it have[39:15] How plastic economies differ between Asia & Latin America[41:25] Investment opportunities in the US & Europe[43:25] Visions for the future of plasticResources MentionedCirculate CapitalCirculate InitiativeOECD: Plastic PollutionPew Charitable Trusts: Preventing Ocean PlasticsCirculate Capital Ocean FundPrevented Ocean Plastic Southeast AsiaDelterra & Circulate Initiative: Honing the Habit: Four Insights on Spreading Recycling Behavior ReportCirculate Initiative: Plastics Circularity Investment TrackerInternational Legally Binding Instrument on Plastic PollutionCircAcelon Chemicals and Fiber CorporationAceGreenConnect with Ellen Martin & Umesh MadhavanConnect with EllenConnected with UmeshConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

No matter who I talk to – whether startup founders, investors, or corporate sustainability leaders – when I ask what is needed to really move the needle on climate change, everyone always comes back to the to importance of policy change, of making climate an electoral issue and holding political leaders accountable to take bold action. There’s no denying that in recent years one of the most important forces making bold climate action more of a priority, has been the voice of young people. Their cry for change and their committed activism has been impossible to ignore, and the policies they’ve fought for have gained real headway. In the United States, at the center of youth climate organizing is an organization named the Sunrise Movement. They’ve been around for less than a decade but have mobilized effectively and are credited for inspiring and advancing historic climate policies like the Inflation Reduction Act. Today we’re joined by two leaders of the Sunrise Movement, Matthew Miles Goodrich and Aru Shiney-Ajay. Miles was one of the founders of the movement and leads fundraising. Aru has been involved since she was 19 and now leads Sunrise’s strategy. They’re both inspiring representatives of the bold vision and commitment that’s made Sunrise so successful and that we all need to bring to climate work.In today’s episode, we cover:[3:35] Miles’ background, role with Sunrise & how he got involved[5:34] Aru’s background, role with Sunrise & how she got involved[8:31] The origin & history of the Sunrise Movement[11:45] The reach that Sunrise has achieved & how it's been successful at getting young people involved in climate action[13:54] Why has Sunrise gathered so much momentum[17:00] How many people have been involved in Sunrise & how are they able to manage their volunteer army[19:31] Sunrise’s wins & progress[21:55] Sunrise’s role surrounding the Inflation Reduction Act and the impact of the IRA & other recent climate policies[27:57] Sunrise’s current strategy & priorities[32:34] Why is declaring a climate emergency needed & what would it lead to[34:45] Sunrise’s theory of change[37:44] The lawsuit against the state of Montana & implications of the case[39:45] Pivotal moments for climate & the progress being sought[41:20] Hopes for Climate Week[42:01] What else needs to happen to adequately address climate changeResources MentionedSunrise MovementSunrise Movement: Green New DealSunrise Movement: Declare a Climate EmergencyConnect with Matthew Miles Goodrich & Aru Shiney-AjayConnect with MilesConnected with AruConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

Kittu Kolluri, seasoned climate investor, discusses investments in solar, wave energy, energy storage, and risk resilience. AI's role in breakthrough climate tech like Heliogen and CalWave is explored. Opportunities for AI in energy efficiency and building resiliency are emphasized. Neotribe Ventures fills funding gaps for pre-product market fit startups. The investment landscape in climate tech and the impact of government funding are discussed. Common obstacles and leadership advice in clean tech are covered.

From the growing demand for climate-positive investing, new funds, new approaches for financial advisors, and entirely new platforms for managing one's investments are taking off. This is just the beginning. It's hard to imagine how different investing might be as tens of trillions of dollars transfer to younger sustainability-motivated generations.Today’s conversation is with two people working to change how people invest today to participate in and support the unique opportunity that is the climate transition. Pete Krull is a Partner & the Director of Sustainable Investments at Earth Equity Advisors, a firm he founded almost 20 years ago. Bonnie Gurry is Co-Founder and CEO of GreenPortfolio, a new startup aimed at creating an online financial management platform like Mint.com focused on climate-first investing. We talk about their backgrounds, their companies, the trends, opportunities and evolution they’re seeing in climate investing, and much more. Enjoy! In today’s episode, we cover:[3:09] Bonnie’s background & how she came to start GreenPortfolio[4:22] Pete's background, Earth Equity Advisors & the problem they’re helping solve[7:29] Advantages of working with a firm of Earth Equity Advisors’ size[8:22] What makes Earth Equity Advisors unique right now[8:59] GreenPortfolio, the problem they’re addressing and how the platform & product works [10:54] GreenPortfolio’s climate scorecard & what's involved in considering investment opportunity[12:37] How far along GreenPortfolio is[14:15] Earth Equity Advisors’ free impact x-ray of one’s investments[19:46] How does Earth Equity Advisors’ process differ & offer more sustainable options[21:20] Responses to investing in the traditional energy sector[25:18] Earth Equity Advisors’ benchmarking & how it works in practice[27:33] What is it that GreenPortfolio allows users to do after auditing their investments[30:15] What would make a credit card worth recommending[32:27] Investing in renewable energy[35:51] How the investment landscape has been changing & what’s coming next[40:07] The backlash to ESGResources MentionedEarth Equity AdvisorsGreenPortfolioConnect with Pete Krull & Bonnie GurryConnect with Pete on LinkedInConnect with Bonnie on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

Fossil carbon is not just burnt for energy. It’s also used as an ingredient for millions of everyday products. But what if, rather than extracting new fossil carbon from the ground, the carbon could be sourced from waste and kept in circulation. That’s exactly what a company called LanzaTech is doing. For almost two decades LanzaTech has been using a synthetic biology process to recycle carbon waste and create new products. They went public earlier this year and provide a fascinating example of a climate tech company with a bold vision for transforming how our material world is built. Perhaps that’s why they were recently recognized by the prestigious Earthshot Prize. In this episode, I’m joined by LanzaTech’s Chief Sustainability Officer Freya Burton and Chief Science Officer Zara Summers. We talk about the growth and evolution of LanzaTech, their effort to create a circular economy of carbon, their technology, partners, and much more. This episode will push your thinking in some interesting ways. Enjoy.In today’s episode, we cover:[3:36] Freya’s background & what she was doing before LanzaTech[4:52] Zara’s background & what she was doing before LanzaTech[6:23] LanzaTech & the problem that it’s aiming to solve[8:13] Finding stuff to do with emissions vs. eliminating them[11:13] The overall scale of environmental impact that LanzaTech is targeting[13:20] How LanzaTech’s technology works[16:47] Partnerships for removing carbon emissions [19:29] How has the technology evolved over the years[21:16] How AI is involved in the approach[23:11] Who are current customers & what kind of partners is LanzaTech seeking[26:25] The pulse of the marketplace[28:44] Who is it for & why is it critical[30:21] How LanzaJet is going[32:41] Benefits & expectations of climate policies [35:24] How EarthShot was helpful to LanzaTech[36:31] What has changed since LanzaTech went public[37:40] The industry in 5-10 years[41:43] Call to action for listenersResources MentionedLanzaTechConnect with Freya Burton & Zara SummersConnect with Freya on LinkedInConnect with Zara on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!