Switched On

Julia Attwood, BloombergNEF’s Industrial Decarbonization Specialist, joins Dana to discuss expanding opportunities to use captured CO2 and growth in storage capacity for this gas. They also talk about momentum in large-scale chemical recycling of plastics and potential decarbonization of the steel and cement sectors.

BloombergNEF's Head of Wind Research, Oliver Metcalfe, joins Dana to discuss the wind sector in 2024. They talk about stable environment for offshore wind development, success of auctions, and challenges for Chinese turbine makers.

Set against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, this year will see elections taking place in markets that account for a combined 67% of global GDP. With the uncertainty that changes in leadership can bring, could these crucial votes lead to a slowing of investment in the energy transition as investors wait for the results and clear policy direction? On today’s show, Dana is joined by BloombergNEF’s Head of Global Policy, Victoria Cuming, and US policy analyst, Derrick Flakoll. Together they discuss the implications for the Inflation Reduction Act should Donald Trump return to the White House, how useful polling data really is, and if growing right-leaning sentiment will be reflected in the upcoming European Parliament elections. Links to research notes from this episode: Wave of Elections Poses Risk for the Energy Transition - https://www.bnef.com/insights/33191See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discussion on the impact of China's property market slump on steel demand, the importance of copper and aluminum in the energy transition, and price forecasts for iron, copper, and aluminum in 2024.

Emma Champion, BloombergNEF's Head of Regional Energy Transitions, discusses South Africa's energy challenges, focusing on the transition from coal to gas. They explore the country's need to balance economic considerations and policy decisions, the growth of residential solar installations, and the rise of renewable energy investments. The podcast delves into the role of grid infrastructure, emission reduction efforts, and the evolving energy market dynamics in South Africa.

The start of each year sees BloombergNEF look at what could play out across the energy transition over the next 12 months. During January, Switched On will interview the brains behind the ‘Things to Watch’ series, starting with what to expect from the electric vehicle market. On today’s episode, Dana sits down with Colin McKerracher, BNEF’s Head of Advanced Transport. Together, they discuss the race between Tesla and BYD to claim the global EV sales crown, the new opportunities presented by emerging markets, and whether 2024 could be the year that oil demand sees a real dent from the shift to electric drivetrains. Complementary 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: EVs and Clean Transport: 10 Things to Watch in 2024 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/33099See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Extreme weather events like fires and floods are causing companies to take a closer look at the physical risks posed by climate change, and how they could impact their income and balance sheets. Despite the financial threat posed, awareness of physical risk is currently low and exposure to potential losses and damage is still underreported in financial disclosures. As demand for transparency grows among investors and policymakers, what is the actual scale of the threat from physical climate risk, and what can be done to improve reporting and data collection? On today’s show, Dana sits down with Danya Liu, an analyst from BloombergNEF’s climate risk team. Together, they discuss the different forms physical risk can take and which weather events leave the largest financial impact, why the financial services industry is especially vulnerable to climate-driven catastrophes, and how insurers could help improve awareness of physical risk and data reporting. Complementary 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: Beyond Fire and Floods: Firms Gauge Costs of Physical Risk - https://www.bnef.com/insights/32983See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BNEF Pioneers is BloombergNEF’s annual climate-tech competition identifying game-changing innovations with the potential to accelerate global decarbonization and halt climate change. Last year, awards were given in three categories: accelerating the deployment of hydrogen, building a net-zero food production system, and sustainable metals and materials for an electrified future. On today’s show, Dana is joined by guest host Benjamin Kafri, BNEF’s Head of Client Relations and Innovation, to explore the third of these categories. Together, they interview representatives from Jetti, Nth-Cycle and Li-Cycle, the three Pioneers Award winners dedicated to cleaning up the world’s metals and materials supply chains. Complementary 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. BloombergNEF's 2024 Pioneers Award page - https://about.bnef.com/bnefpioneers/ BloombergNEF's 2023 Pioneers Award winners - https://www.bnef.com/insights/31219See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Explore how AI and advanced cameras could help reduce the use of pesticides in agriculture, the economic benefits of green-on-green technology, applications of AI in the wine and banana industries, and the potential use of drones in farming. Discuss the limitations of drones, challenges of adopting AI in farming, and the need for incentives for smaller farmers.

The podcast discusses OPEC+ and output cuts, the debate over peak oil demand, and the potential for hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels in the Middle East.