Climate Positive

Leading analysts estimate that more than 7% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are generated by small-to-medium buildings. Too often, these buildings are terribly inefficient—wasting as much as 50% of the energy they consume, which significantly drives up energy bills—and unhealthy—with deadly viruses and other toxins circulating freely. What’s more, many of these buildings primarily serve low-to-moderate income Americans, who often lack the upfront capital needed for proven upgrades. In part driven by his childhood experience with energy poverty and the related localized pollution, Donnel Baird founded BlocPower seven years ago to ensure that everyone, especially those with lower incomes and/or from other disadvantaged backgrounds, has access to greener, healthier, smarter, and more cost-effective homes and buildings. To date, BlocPower has helped to identify, finance, and upgrade more than 1,200 buildings—many in communities that had previously been left behind in our transition to a greener economy. In this episode, host Chad Reed dives deep with Donnel into how his professional experiences in community organizing and with the Obama Administration led him to his entrepreneurial efforts to decarbonize buildings in disadvantaged communities. Chad also speaks with Donnel about how best to ensure all communities—whether in neglected urban areas or deindustrialized rural areas—share in the economic benefits of a cleaner, greener economy. We hope you find this discussion as inspiring and entertaining as we did.Links:BlocPowerWashington Post: This US city just voted to decarbonize every single buildingDonnel Baird on LinkedInEpisode recorded: October 6, 2021 Email your feedback to Chad, Gil, Hilary, and Guy at climatepositive@hasi.com.

The recent meteoric rise of ESG or sustainable investing is both compelling and undeniable. Today, more than 3,500 asset managers and related organizations representing more than $120 trillion in assets under management subscribe to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), which are a set of voluntary and aspirational principles that encourage the incorporation of ESG factors into investment decisions.But as more and more professional investors publicly proclaim their ESG and sustainability bona fides, real questions persist as to both their sincerity and their actual impact on the pressing social and environmental challenges of our day—most notably, climate change. Tariq Fancy served as the first Chief Investment Officer for Sustainable Investing at BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager. But since leaving the firm, he has become a prominent critic of the efficacy of ESG investing and the greenwashing efforts of many investment firms and a strong proponent of policy solutions to address climate change.In this episode, Chad Reed and Jeff Eckel dive deep with Tariq into the heart of ESG investing and the sustainable capitalism movement. We also speak with Tariq about the mission and initiatives of the education technology nonprofit he now leads—Rumie. LinksThe Secret Diary of a Sustainable InvestorSEC Chair Gary Gensler: Prepared Remarks Before the Principles for Responsible Investment “Climate and Global Financial Markets” Webinar (07.28.21)United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)RumieTariq Fancy on LinkedIn Email your feedback to Chad, Gil, Hilary, and Guy at climatepositive@hasi.com.

In this episode, we talk with Bren Smith, a former commercial fisherman who is now the co-founder and co-executive director of Greenwave, a nonprofit dedicated to creating jobs and protecting the oceans through regenerative ocean farming.  The oceans are taking a beating from climate change. It’s estimated that they have absorbed nearly a third of the carbon released by humans. This creates a whole host of problems as the carbon dissolves in saltwater, making it more acidic while making it harder for calcifying organisms like oysters and coral to grow.  Fishermen like Bren are on the front lines of the changing climate, but Bren shares how the oceans can be a source of renewal. Bren discusses how his inexpensive system for regenerative ocean farming avoids the vices of land-based agriculture: it requires no inputs of pesticides, fresh water, or even land. But, it produces nutrient dense foods while absorbing carbon and nitrogen, creating habitat, reducing local ocean acidification, and mitigating the impact of storm surges. Bren shares what motivated him to provide open access to his farming designs, why he started a nonprofit, and how he evaluates new market opportunities that can support ocean farmers. Talking with Bren left us more optimistic about the future of the planet and we hope his story will inspire you as well.  Links:Greenwave (includes visuals of the Renerative Ocean Farm)Patagonia Provisions Short Film on Kelp Farming and GreenwaveBren Smith’s book, “Eat Like a Fish” Episode recorded: September 16, 2021  Email your feedback to Chad, Gil, Hilary, and Guy at climatepositive@hasi.com.

In this episode, we speak with Suzanne Singer, Founder and Executive Director of Native Renewables, an Indigenous-led nonprofit organization that empowers Indigenous families to achieve energy independence by expanding renewable energy capacity and affordable access to off-grid power.It may be surprising to learn that by some estimates, up to one third of U.S. households suffer from some form of energy poverty, meaning that they find it difficult to afford the energy they need to heat and cool their homes and provide basic lighting, cooking, device charging, and entertainment. Energy poverty is a particular challenge for Indigenous communities, many of which are rural in nature and continue to rely on expensive and carbon-intensive diesel, kerosene, and other fossil resources for the limited electricity access they do enjoy. So, in this episode, we take a deep dive into this issue with Suzanne Singer, the Founder and Executive Director of Native Renewables.Growing up, Suzanne’s grandparents, members of the Navajo Nation, lacked access to electricity and running water. This, in part, inspired her to establish her organization, which is specifically focused on installing off-grid solar PV systems and batteries for community members of the Navajo and Hopi Nations. In addition to the origins, mission, and operations of her nonprofit, we also discuss Suzanne’s career transition from the prestigious National Research Laboratories to mission-driven entrepreneurship and the particular challenges faced by Indigenous women leaders. We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did. Note: The Hannon Armstrong Foundation provided a grant to support the efforts of Native Renewables.  Links:Native RenewablesSuzanne Singer BioTó Nizhóní Ání Email your feedback to Chad, Gil, Hilary, and Guy at climatepositive@hasi.com.

In this episode, we speak with Jonathan Webb, Founder and CEO of AppHarvest.AppHarvest, which went public in 2021, is building some of the largest indoor farms in the world, combining conventional agricultural techniques with today’s technology to grow non-GMO, chemical-free produce to be sold to the top 25 U.S. grocers. The company’s first controlled-environment agriculture facility, opened in 2020 in Morehead, Ky., spans 60 acres. It uses 90% less water than a typical farm because of a sophisticated circular irrigation system and 10-acre rainwater retention pond.In conversation with Gil and Chad, Jonathan talked about the unique aspects of AppHarvest’s business, his personal journey in starting the company, the parallels of ag-tech with the solar revolution, the specific advantages of Controlled Environment Agriculture, what it’s like to experience rapid growth while maintaining a culture of excellence, how ESG drives their business, and much more. We hope you enjoy this spirited conversation with a passionate climate solutions entrepreneur as much as we did.BioJonathan Webb LinkedInJonathan Webb TwitterAppHarvest TwitterAppHarvest WebsiteAppHarvest 2020 ESG ReportArticle: Is This Giant Greenhouse in Kentucky the Future of Farming? (Rolling Stone, August 22, 2021)Article: Martha Stewart’s recipes using AppHarvest tomatoes Email your feedback to Chad, Gil, Hilary, and Guy at climatepositive@hasi.com.

In this episode, we speak with Michael Eckhart, former Global Head of Environmental Finance at Citigroup, founding chairman and former president of the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), and co-author of the Green Bond Principles. Michael now serves as a board member for Hannon Armstrong and as an adjunct and visiting professor at Columbia University and the University of Maryland, respectively. Michael discusses the history of the global clean energy financing space, the benefits of financing—rather than funding—renewable energy, what the Green Bond Principles offer the market, how today’s clean energy financing models evolved, and more. Links:Michael Eckhart BioAmerican Council on Renewable EnergyACORE Finance ForumInternational Capital Market Association Green Bond PrinciplesInternational Solar Energy SocietyEpisode recorded August 25, 2021  Email your feedback to Chad, Gil, Hilary, and Guy at climatepositive@hasi.com.

Sara Kane is the co-leader of the Power and Renewables Practice at CAC Specialty, an integrated specialty insurance brokerage business. She has focused on assessing, pricing, and insuring against climate risk for more than a decade. In this episode, Sara and Chad Reed discuss the impact of the increasing number and severity of catastrophic weather events on renewable energy projects as well as the sobering findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s recent Sixth Assessment Report, the promise of professional career growth from crisis situations, the difference gender diversity makes in the workplace, and much more.Links:Sara Kane LinkedInCAC Specialty Natural Resources Practice GroupIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report (August 2021)NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters (2021)Insurance Insider: Maturing renewable energy market balances growth with sustainable pricing (August 2021)Episode recorded August 17, 2021 Email your feedback to Chad, Gil, Hilary, and Guy at climatepositive@hasi.com.

In this episode, we speak with Alice Hill, senior fellow for energy and the environment at the Council on Foreign Relations, and author of the upcoming book, The Fight for Climate After COVID-19. As a former federal prosecutor, judge, special assistant to President Barack Obama, and senior director for resilience policy on the National Security Council, Alice has a unique and powerful perspective on the risks, consequences, and responses associated with climate change. In conversation with Gil and Hilary, she discusses her journey in becoming an expert on catastrophic risk and climate resilience, which countries are doing well on climate adaptation, and where the U.S. government is falling short. Additionally, Alice talks about what the pandemic can teach us about fighting climate change, how the democratization of data could improve climate security for the world’s most vulnerable populations, how she finds joy in her work, and more. Episode recorded July 13, 2021 Links: Alice Hill on TwitterOpEd: Climate adaptation: The gaping hole in American environmental policy (Alice Hill and Chris Field, The Hill, April 15, 2021)Article: COVID’s lesson for climate research: go local (Alice C. Hill, Nature, June 29, 2021)Book: The Fight for Climate after COVID-19” (Alice C. Hill, released August 4, 2021)Book: Building a Resilient Tomorrow (Alice C. Hill and Leonardo Martinez-Diaz, 2019) Show contributors: Gil Jenkins, Hilary Langer, Alice Hill Email your feedback to Chad, Gil, Hilary, and Guy at climatepositive@hasi.com.

In this episode, we speak with Nancy Floyd, the founder and managing director of the venture capital firm Nth Power and a new member of Hannon Armstrong’s Board of Directors. Throughout the conversation, Nancy offers several insights on the past, present, and future of the clean energy venture space. She also provides plainspoken advice on effective board service, what makes a good pitch, and a good business plan from the perspective of someone who reads thousands a year. Additionally, Nancy talked with Gil about her time in the political spotlight, how the traits she developed in competitive ski racing and tennis help her in the venture world, and much more. We hope you enjoy this conversation with one of the true pioneers of climate tech investing.Links: Nancy Floyd on LinkedIn2008 Democratic National Convention speech by Nancy Floyd Hannon Armstrong Appoints Clarence D. Armbrister and Nancy C. Floyd to Board of Directors What Do Venture Capitalists Need to Hear from Scientists? A Conversation with Nancy Floyd, the Founder of Nth Power Episode recorded June 2, 2021.  Email your feedback to Chad, Gil, Hilary, and Guy at climatepositive@hasi.com.

Starbucks Chief Sustainability Officer Michael Kobori has been corporate sustainability changemaker for over two decades. From his time at Levi’s to his current role at Starbucks, Michael has been at the forefront of a movement that has evolved from a narrower focus on Corporate Social Responsibility to a broader conception of Stakeholder Capitalism. In this episode, Michael joined us to talk about how the intrapreneurship he exercised at Levi’s progressed and broadened its concept of sustainability. Chad and Michael also discuss the carbon footprint of coffee, how to discern greenwashers from true climate leaders, the role of business in combatting systemic racism, and how lessons from the Boy Scouts inform Starbucks’ recent commitment to become resource positive.Links:LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-kobori-7a04b26/Twitter@koborigrillscsrSustainability at Starbuckshttps://www.starbucks.com/responsibilityStarbucks Borrow a Cup Programhttps://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2021/seattle-starbucks-stores-go-even-greener-this-earth-month-with-new-borrow-a-cup-program/Transform to Net Zerohttps://transformtonetzero.org/All We Can Savehttps://www.amazon.com/All-We-Can-Save-Solutions/dp/0593237064Utopia Theater Projecthttp://www.utopiatheatreproject.com/  Email your feedback to Chad, Gil, Hilary, and Guy at climatepositive@hasi.com.