Switched On

Wayne Tan, Head of Oil Markets Research at BloombergNEF, dives into the impact of recent tariffs on global oil demand. He discusses how U.S. business sentiment has plunged alongside shifting GDP expectations, affecting overall oil consumption. Tan highlights the rapid decrease in China's gasoline demand due to government policies supporting electric vehicles. With OPEC+ looking to increase production amidst these challenges, he sheds light on the complex dynamics shaping the future of oil markets.

Thiago Picolo, CEO of re.green, highlights the potential of Brazil's domestic carbon market as a game-changer for global sustainability. Fabiana Alves from Rabobank shares insights on investing in nature restoration projects and the need for carbon integrity. Fabio Galindo of Future Climate discusses the evolution of carbon markets and Brazil's rise as a leader in carbon credits. Together, they explore the challenges and strategies for engaging investors and ensuring effective governance in carbon trading, paving the way for a greener future.

Joining the discussion are Andy Leach, a BloombergNEF energy storage analyst, and Matthew Hales, also from BloombergNEF, specializing in trade and supply chains. They dive deep into the EU's plan to boost local battery manufacturing, addressing challenges from Chinese competitors and trade wars. The introduction of BYD's revolutionary battery technology promises rapid charging and extended range for EVs, while new regulations stress local sourcing. They also explore the balancing act between fast charging and battery longevity.

Joining the conversation are Maia Mesanger and Jameson McLennan, both sustainable finance analysts at BloombergNEF. They dive into the EU's recent rollback of sustainable reporting regulations, sparking concerns over transparency and investment in climate initiatives. The duo also discusses the competitive tensions with the US and the proactive steps being taken by the Asia Pacific region. Their insights shed light on the challenges small businesses face under new regulations and the urgent need for clearer policies to support sustainable finance in a shifting global landscape.

Southeast Asia is an up-and-coming player in the energy transition. As the region’s production capacity has grown, so have its exports of key clean-power technologies. Within Southeast Asia, favorable policy has encouraged the growth of cheap renewable energy and electric vehicle adoption. Yet recent US tariffs and aid cuts have had an impact. Just how damaging have they been, and can better regional cooperation help mitigate the fallout? On today’s show, Dana Perkins is joined by Shantanu Jaiswal, BNEF’s head of India and Southeast Asia research, and analyst Felix Kosasih, to discuss some of BNEF’s recent research including “US Climate Fund Withdrawal Imperils Indonesia’s Transition” and “Southeast Asia in Short: Energy Storage, Net Zero Push”. Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Southeast Asia in Short: Energy Storage, Net-Zero Push - https://www.bnef.com/insights/35639 US Climate Fund Withdrawal Imperils Indonesia’s Transition - https://www.bnef.com/shorts/ssqqiot0g1kw00?context=eyJxIjoic2luZ2Fwb3JlIiwiY29udGVudFR5cGUiOiJzaG9ydCIsInJlZ2lvbiI6W10sInNlY3RvciI6W10sImF1dGhvciI6W119 Net Zero Transition: Opportunities for Vietnam - https://www.bnef.com/insights/35529?context=eyJxIjoib3Bwb3J0dW5pdGllcyBmb3IgdmlldG5hbSIsImNvbnRlbnRUeXBlIjoiaW5zaWdodCIsInJlZ2lvbiI6W10sInNlY3RvciI6W10sImF1dGhvciI6W10sImluc2lnaHQtdHlwZSI6W119 Southeast Asia and Energy: Things to Watch in 2025 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/35745?context=eyJxIjoic2hhbnRhbnUiLCJjb250ZW50VHlwZSI6Imluc2lnaHQiLCJyZWdpb24iOltdLCJzZWN0b3IiOltdLCJhdXRob3IiOltdLCJpbnNpZ2h0LXR5cGUiOltdfQ==See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephanie Diaz, a BNEF technology analyst specializing in water management, joins Dana Perkins to tackle the urgent issue of global water stress. They explore how rising demand from industries and agriculture impacts water supply, discussing solutions like innovative desalination techniques and strategies for leak reduction. The conversation dives into the health risks posed by PFAS, or 'forever chemicals', and the importance of advanced water purification technologies. Together, they envision a future where tech plays a pivotal role in sustainable water management.

Join Amar Vasdev, a senior associate at BNEF specializing in energy economics, and Martin Tengler, head of hydrogen research at BNEF, as they dive into the dynamic world of clean power. They highlight record-low costs of electricity from solar and wind while discussing hydrogen's unique position amidst these trends. Their conversation reveals the impact of geopolitical factors on hydrogen production, investment shifts, and the future of renewable energy economics, challenging listeners to rethink cost assessment in the evolving energy landscape.

Mark Daly, head of technology and innovation at BloombergNEF, guides a panel featuring notable guests. Steven Carlini from Schneider Electric discusses cutting-edge cooling solutions for energy-hungry data centers. Will Conkling of Google shares insights on renewable energy procurement strategies. Kleber Costa from AES Corporation addresses the challenges of growth in data centers. Lastly, Darwesh Singh from Bolt Graphics talks about GPU advancements that boost efficiency. They unpack how the rising demands from AI are reshaping energy management in this tech landscape.

Meredith Annex, Head of Clean Power at BNEF, brings her expertise to discuss the groundbreaking $2 trillion investment in the energy transition. She highlights the dominance of solar energy and the critical shift towards power grid and energy storage investments. The podcast delves into the contrasting trends in onshore and offshore wind, the emergence of small modular reactors in nuclear energy, and the underrated significance of heat pumps in decarbonizing sectors. It's a vital listen for anyone interested in the future of clean energy!

In this discussion, weather analysts Jess Hicks and Willa Tobin from BNEF explore how shifting weather patterns profoundly affect commodities and infrastructure. They dive into the economic fallout from extreme weather events, including heatwaves and droughts, and their implications for energy production. The duo also highlights innovative weather modeling techniques that could predict future trends. Additionally, they discuss the rising costs tied to climate chaos, including natural gas demand and the financial tools used to manage these risks.