Switched On

Steel is one of the world’s most widely used materials. It also accounts for 7-8% of global emissions, and ‘greening’ its production process presents an enormous challenge. So how can manufacturers decarbonize this crucial product? On today’s episode, Dana talks with Dr Julia Attwood, BNEF’s Head of Sustainable Materials, and Yuchen Tang, a sustainable materials analyst from Bloomberg’s Beijing office. Together they discuss the tech that’s helping steel manufacturers reduce their emissions, how the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is impacting steel manufacturing, and the role nuclear power could play in the sector. Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app. Links to research notes from this episode: Decarbonizing Steel: Corporate Strategies - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31199 Decarbonizing Steel: Company Profiles - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31409See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aluminum is one of the most commonly used metals today, appearing in everything from new buildings to food packaging. But what, exactly, makes aluminum such an important metal, and why are its emissions so difficult to abate? On today’s show, Dana talks to Dr Kwasi Ampofo, BNEF’s head of metals and mining. Together they offer a deep dive into aluminum production and consumption, discussing not only the metal’s applications across a range of sectors, but also the sky-high energy needs of primary aluminum production, the importance of aluminum scrap and recycling, and how ‘urban mining’ could help alleviate supply-chain snags. Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app. Links to research notes from this episode: Global Scrap Outlook: Filling the Supply Gap Transition Metals Outlook 2023 Global Aluminum Outlook, 2021-2040See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imperfection is usually considered a negative, but is there something to be said for embracing ‘imperfectionism’? What can we learn from failures, and what are the mindsets and tools we need to turn imperfect outcomes into long-term gains? On today’s show Dana talks with Charles Conn, the current chair of the Patagonia board, about his new book, The Imperfectionists: Strategic Mindsets for Uncertain Times. Together they discuss real-life applications for Conn’s six different mindsets, how AI illustrates a curiosity mindset in practice, and how imperfectionism can be harnessed to boost the climate-sensitive areas of our economy. Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Electric vehicle sales are gaining momentum around the world, ushering in the end of the internal combustion era. On today’s episode, Dana speaks with Colin McKerracher, BNEF’s Head of Advanced Transport, about his team’s newest Electric Vehicle Outlook. Delving into electrification, shared mobility and autonomous driving (among other factors), the annual report considers how road transport will evolve in the coming decades – and what these changes could mean for the automotive, energy, infrastructure and battery-materials markets. Together, Dana and Colin dive into this flagship publication, considering policy changes and the pace of global EV adoption, the speed bumps that still face e-trucking and the advances in tech that could pave the road to net zero. BNEF's Long-Term Electric Vehicle Outlook 2023 can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app. A publicly available executive summary can also be found here:  https://www.bnef.com/flagships/ev-outlookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clean energy is booming in Latin America, where wind and solar are breaking records year after year. But as the world battles inflation, can the trend continue? And can the region harness its clean-energy resources to become a key green hydrogen exporter? To find out more, Dana spoke with BNEF’s Head of Latin America Research, James Ellis, and São Paulo-based BNEF Associate Natalia Castilhos Rypl. Together they discuss the key findings from BNEF’s most recent Latin America Market Outlook, which nations are throwing their weight behind renewable energy installations, and whether the region could be on the brink of a green hydrogen boom. Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app. Links to research notes from this episode: 1H 2023 Latin America Market Outlook - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31585 Latin America’s Big Green Hydrogen Export Dreams May Slip - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31343See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Countries are racing to acquire the rare minerals and resources necessary for clean energy tech. So how can they secure their own positions while also building strategic partnerships? Helaina Matza, who has spent her career as a diplomat and negotiator with the US Government, is here to help explain the process. Now the Deputy Special Presidential Coordinator for the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, Helaina has also served as Director of Energy Transformation at the Bureau of Energy Resources and Director of Climate Diplomacy and Energy Transformation at the National Security Council in the White House. Helaina sat down with BNEF Editor Kamala Schelling to discuss US policy and the energy transition, the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, and what her work as a diplomat has taught her about tackling climate change. Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app. To find out about BNEF’s Summits and to listen to more interviews, go to https://about.bnef.com/summit/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Agriculture, forestry and land use are among the most climate-sensitive areas of our economy. They also account for almost a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions, which begs the question: Can anything be done to reduce farming’s sizable carbon footprint? On today’s show, Dana talks to Caroline Lewis, an analyst from BNEF’s Sustainable Agriculture team, about perennial crops, one possible solution. Together they discuss the benefits of multiyear lifecycles, the evolution from annual to perennial cereals, and how these crops could aid carbon sequestration while also reducing overall emissions in the sector. This podcast drew upon themes found in the BNEF research note, Perennial Cereals: The Root of Regenerative Agriculture. Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The last year has been a tough one for the G-20 member nations, with soaring energy prices and a global inflationary crisis. Against such a backdrop, what is happening to climate policies and net-zero targets? Victoria Cuming, Head of Global Policy at BloombergNEF, returns to the pod to talk with Dana about the 2023 edition of the G-20 Zero-Carbon Policy Scoreboard. Together they discuss a range of topics, including this year’s ‘winners and losers,’ the US Inflation Reduction Act’s global impact, and what the upcoming G-20 meeting may mean for climate goals worldwide. Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app. Links to research notes from this episode: G-20 Zero-Carbon Policy Scoreboard: Issue 2023 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31383See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever wondered what it would take to get a clean energy transition loan from the US government? Jigar Shah knows all about it. An entrepreneur, podcaster, and director of the US Energy Department’s Loan Programs Office, Jigar helps businesses fund their clean energy transition while offering thought leadership in the field. He recently sat down with BNEF Senior Editor Vandana Gombar to discuss his current role, available DOE loans and how companies can apply for them, and who should pick up the tab for new transmission capacity in the US. Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app. To find out about BNEF’s Summits and to listen to more interviews, go to https://about.bnef.com/summit/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From investing in startups and appearing on TV shows to writing books and teaching the next generation of entrepreneurs, Michael Webber, the CTO of Energy Impact Partners and the Josey Centennial Professor in Energy Resources at the University of Texas at Austin, brings an array of experiences and insights to the energy transition. On today’s episode, he joins BNEF Chief Editor Ben Vickers to discuss the art of entrepreneurship, what Energy Impact Partners look for when investing in startups, and how his time working with ENGIE helped him change his mind about ‘green’ hydrogen. Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app. To find out about BNEF’s Summits and to listen to more interviews, go to about.bnef.com/summit/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.