Switched On

Maritime shipping is a notoriously tricky sector to decarbonize, yet options for a greener industry are slowly emerging. Bio-LNG is helping clean up fuel tanks. New ship-building and navigational techniques, from advanced hull coatings to smarter routing, are making a dent in emissions. And new European rules are pushing ship owners toward cleaner options. Yet with a myriad of competing incentives – and no global consensus – how far can alternative fuels and efficiency gains really take maritime shipping on its long road to decarbonization? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees speaks with Fauziah Marzuki, BloombergNEF’s global head of gas, and Nikolas Soulopoulos, BNEF’s head of commercial transport. Together they discuss some of their teams’ research, including “Marine Fuel Costs to 2040 – Oil to Biofuels and Beyond” and “Global Shipping’s Net-Zero Framework Delay a Worst Option: React.” 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: Marine Fuel Costs to 2040 - Oil to Biofuels and Beyond - https://www.bnef.com/insights/37781 Global Shipping’s Net-Zero Framework Delay a Worst Option: React - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/t4ac8igoymtc00  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Madeleine Brolly, an EV charging analyst at BloombergNEF, and Shananthan Kalaichelvan, who specializes in EV policy impacts, dive into the UK's mixed signals for electric vehicle economics. With purchase subsidies tripling, they discuss the upcoming pay-per-mile scheme aimed at recouping fuel tax losses. Key topics include the challenges for users without home charging, the impact of fluctuating public charging costs, and how these changes could affect high-mileage drivers. Together, they illuminate the balance between incentives for purchase and taxing usage in the evolving EV landscape.

Kwasi Ampofo, Head of Metals and Mining at BloombergNEF, dives into the seismic shifts within global metals markets. He reveals how forecasts switched from shortages to surpluses, driven by rapid project buildouts and innovation. The discussion highlights the implications of lower battery costs on manufacturers and the growing importance of metals like lithium, cobalt, and manganese. Kwasi emphasizes copper's critical role and upcoming supply gaps, while also addressing China's aluminum production caps and their environmental motivations.

Joining the discussion is Allen Tom Abraham, Head of Sustainable Materials at BloombergNEF, an expert in industrial decarbonization. He shares insights on the shift towards net zero, with nearly $15 billion in investments targeted by 2025, especially within the steel sector. Allen highlights Europe and Australia's aggressive policies driving change, as well as the challenges of project viability and infrastructure. He also sheds light on the future of hydrogen in steel production, the role of clean energy in aluminum smelting, and the evolving landscape of bioplastics and recycling in petrochemicals.

In this engaging discussion, Siyi Mi, a senior associate on BloombergNEF's electric vehicles team, highlights the rapid evolution of China's EV market. She sheds light on policy-driven growth and the dominance of local brands like BYD and Nio. The conversation explores how Chinese automakers are expanding globally, targeting Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Siyi also discusses unique market trends, such as the popularity of affordable mini EVs among first-time buyers, and predicts an intense competitive landscape ahead.

In this enlightening discussion, Andrew Grant, Head of Intelligent Mobility at BloombergNEF, dives into the transformative role of smart chips in the automotive sector. He explores the surging demand for high-performance vehicle chips and how they're redefining cost and value for cars. Grant highlights a shift from traditional supply chains to closer partnerships between automakers and chipmakers. The conversation also delves into the future of vehicle monetization, as cars evolve into AI-driven supercomputers enhancing connectivity and safety.

Explore how a warming world is reshaping investment strategies. Discover the surprising climate impacts, like jellyfish-induced nuclear shutdowns, and projected GDP losses by 2050. Adaptation is not surrender; it's essential risk management. Analyze how funding sources vary and the challenges governments face in implementation. Learn about corporate adaptation gaps and how climate impacts reshape commodity markets. Highlight opportunities in resilience and examine financial sector tools driving investment in adaptation.

Danya Liu and Natasha Mawdsley from BloombergNEF dive into the pressing issue of climate adaptation. They discuss how climate change is shifting from an environmental concern to a financial risk, with yearly losses hitting $1.4 trillion. The duo introduces BNEF’s Adaptation Preparedness Framework, highlighting leading nations like Canada and South Korea in readiness, while identifying laggards such as Thailand and Russia. They also explore innovative solutions, investment opportunities in emerging economies, and the need for coordinated national strategies to enhance resilience.

Nikolas Soulopoulos, head of commercial transport at BloombergNEF, discusses the pressing emissions from heavy-duty trucks, while Maynie Yang, an associate on the same team, focuses on electric trucking solutions. They explore how autonomous technology could boost efficiency and the financial models supporting fleet electrification. With China's strong e-truck sales and Europe's supportive policies, they also highlight key challenges like charging infrastructure and the future of battery technology in decarbonizing the trucking industry.

Join Martin Tengler, head of hydrogen research at BloombergNEF, as he navigates the complex world of hydrogen energy. Discover why hydrogen's progress has stalled, yet it's still vital for hard-to-abate sectors like shipping and aviation. Tengler explores the contrasting strategies of the US favoring blue hydrogen while China scales green hydrogen, and highlights India's low-cost production potential. Dive into the challenges of policy gaps and high costs holding back deployment, all while revealing the promising future of hydrogen technologies.