Climate Conversations with Divya

In this conversation, Divya and Pranav explore the complexities of sustainability and sustainable finance, discussing the challenges and misconceptions surrounding ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investments. They delve into the need for a shift from merely sustainable practices to regenerative approaches that prioritize long-term health for both the planet and economies. The discussion highlights the importance of quantifying the impact of regenerative finance and the role individuals can play in influencing financial systems through their investment choices.sustainability, sustainable finance, ESG, regenerative agriculture, climate change, carbon emissions, investment strategies, corporate responsibility, environmental impact, financial systemsChapters00:00 Introduction to Sustainability and Its Challenges00:27 Understanding Sustainable Finance02:03 Defining Sustainable Finance for All03:40 The Evolution of Sustainable Finance05:04 Real-World Applications of Sustainable Finance06:35 The Role of Private Equity in Sustainability08:33 Assessing Sustainability Risks in Companies09:57 The Limitations of ESG Investments11:36 The Need for Genuine Sustainability Solutions12:52 The Paradox of ESG Ratings14:28 Rethinking Sustainability: A Focus on Longevity18:18 Rethinking Sustainability: From Symptoms to Solutions18:50 Regeneration in the Tobacco Industry21:49 Quantifying the Impact of Regenerative Models27:31 Myth Busting Sustainable Finance33:14 Transforming Sustainable Finance for the Future

S2E3: Circularity is a trillion-dollar opportunity waiting to scale. So why aren’t businesses embracing it?In this hearty episode, with the subtle touch of humour, our host Divya Kabra sits down with Daniel Barraclough of SYSTEMIQ to discuss:1️⃣ The Scale of the Problem → How plastics, packaging, and textiles contribute to CO₂ emissions and global waste.2️⃣ The Broken Economics of Waste → Why virgin plastic is cheaper than recycled plastic and how subsidies distort the system.3️⃣ Circularity as a Business & Policy Solution → How Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), re-commerce, and financial incentives can make circularity mainstream.4️⃣ The Global Politics of Plastic → The role of INC-5, lobbying efforts, and why regulations matter.5️⃣ The Rise of Reuse & Circular Business Models → How Patagonia, IKEA, Apple, and Caterpillar are proving circularity can be profitable.6️⃣ The Myths Holding Back Circularity → Debunking “circularity is too expensive” and “recycling is the solution.”7️⃣ The Future of Circularity → How finance, innovation, and consumer behavior are pushing businesses to rethink waste.Chapters00:00 ♻️Plastic: Can’t Live With It, Can’t Get Rid of It01:57 Meet Daniel: The Guy Who Actually Knows How to Fix This03:48 🥤Plastic Straws: The Distraction That Won’t Die05:30 ⛽Plastic = Oil? The Connection No One Talks About07:02 🌎Plastic’s Climate Impact: It’s Bigger Than You Think08:37 🩸Microplastics Are in Our Blood. So That’s Fun09:40 🧐Plastic Politics: Why Some Leaders Want More of It10:54 The Global Plastics Treaty: Breakthrough or Bureaucratic Mess?12:48 👕The Fashion Industry’s Dirty Secret: Textile Waste14:20 Are Consumers to Blame? The Truth About Accountability15:13 🎨Explaining Circularity Like You’re 5 (Literally)17:40 Why Waste is Designed Into Our System (And How to Fix It)21:14 🛍️How Resale & Recommerce Are Outsmarting Fast Fashion23:14 💰♻️Can We Make Money Without Making Trash?25:43 Circularity 101: The Business of Keeping Materials in Play29:51 How Many Gigatons of CO₂ Can Circularity Actually Save?34:33 Your Old Phone Is a Gold Mine—Literally 📱✨38:46 Turning Trash Into Profit—The Smart Way40:36 What’s Actually Stopping Circularity From Scaling?46:29 EPR: The Policy That Could Change Everything53:57 The INC Plastics Treaty: Who’s Fighting It & Why?58:17 Myths About Circularity That Need to Die Already01:02:56 Fiber-Based Packaging vs. Plastic: Who’s Actually Winning?01:06:11 Circularity in Emerging Markets: The Truth vs. The Myths01:11:10 Hope for the Future: Circular Economy Solutions01:13:49 Final Thoughts01:15:41 Behind the Scenes: What happens after the producer says cut 🎬01:18:16 Outro 🎧*the opinions expressed by the guests in these episodes are fully their own and do not necessarily represent the opinions of their current employers

🚘EVs are taking over. But is charging infrastructure ready?Electric cars are booming - butwhat happens when the chargers aren’t there? 🔌⚡ In this episode, our host,Divya Kabra sits down withArthur Marronnier, VP of Energy atElectra, to talk about theEV charging revolution, the grid dilemma, and what’s holding back mass adoption.In this episode, they cover:✅The state of EV charging in Europe & what’s missing✅How to scale fast charging without breaking the grid✅The hard numbers: How many chargers do we actually need?✅Busting myths: Are EVs really greener? Can the grid handle mass adoption?✅What the future of clean mobility looks likeIf you’ve ever wondered whetherEV charging is the bottleneck to net zero, this one’s for you.Chapters00:00 🚗 Introduction to EV Charging and Personal Background09:51 🔌 Wait, Why Is Charging Still So Complicated? (EV Infrastructure Deep Dive)16:17 ⚡ Electra's Vision and Future Plans19:25 🚀 Understanding Ultrafast Charging23:12 🏗️ EV Chargers Are Everywhere… Or Are They? (The Real State of Charging)29:51 📊 Numbers Don’t Lie:Quantifying the Impact of EV Charging40:41 🤯 MYTH BUSTING: “EV Charging Will Collapse the Grid” and Other Lies43:58 Navigating the Challenges of Energy Supply46:10 Innovations in Charging Infrastructure48:38 The Role of Batteries in Energy Management51:37 ⚠️ MYTH BUSTING: “The Grid Can’t Handle EVs” (Spoiler: It Can)53:22 💰 Why Does Public Charging Cost So Much? (The Money Side of EVs)55:36 The Bigger Picture: EVs and Climate Change59:49 Consumer Behavior and EV Adoption01:06:55 Outro

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This wasn't a conversation I planned to have. It started as a question: How much of Biden’s climate policy will actually survive? It turned into something bigger. Climate action isn’t about good intentions. It’s about power, policy, and who gets to shape the future. The IRA is proof that economics drives change faster than morality ever will. Even those who oppose it are quietly taking the money. Even those who ignore it are benefiting. But will that be enough to keep it alive? Or was the US always one election away from undoing it all? I want to believe the IRA is untouchable. That jobs will save climate policy where politics won’t. That clean energy will win because it’s cheaper, not just because it’s right. But hope isn’t strategy. And a climate bill is only as strong as the will to defend it. The possibility of 1 billion tons of CO₂ emissions saved in the U.S. with the IRA. Maybe 2 billion more from global spillover. That still leaves 48 billion tons. If we think this is the finish line, we’ve already lost. Thanks to SEMAFOR for reaching out and nominating Tim McDonnell. And thank you, Tim, for a lively conversation and not holding back. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Climate Conversations and the Inflation Reduction Act 02:19 Tim McDonald's Journey in Climate Journalism 04:37 Understanding the Importance of the Inflation Reduction Act 06:40 The Economic Implications of Climate Legislation 08:55 The Global Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act 11:05 Political Challenges Facing the Inflation Reduction Act 12:35 IRA under the republican administration 13:38 Trump and Elon bromance: The Future of Electric Vehicle Tax Credits 15:37 Will Trump and Elon still be buddies after 4 years? 16:01 The Role of Clean Energy Jobs in the Economy 18:02 The Influence of Republican Districts on Climate Policy 20:03 The Myths and Facts of Climate Policy 22:29 Conclusion and Future Outlook 23:56 Busting Myths and Controversies 24:59 The Economic Case for Climate Action 27:40 Political Resilience in Climate Policy 32:40 the end of elon and trump bromance? 32:56 The Dynamics of Power and Influence 37:02 Conspiracy theories? 39:28 Debunking the Primary Energy Fallacy 43:20 The Global Implications of the IRA 46:51 Individual Actions and Collective Impact 50:06 end notation

Season 1 Episode 5: Reimagining Urban Spaces with Vertuo What if our cities could transform into green, self-sustaining spaces that cool the air, restore biodiversity, and make urban life more livable? 🌱 In this episode, our host, Divya sits down with Baptiste Laurent, CEO of Vertuo, a pioneer in urban greening innovation. We dive into:💧 How water-smart, autonomous systems are reshaping urban landscapes.🌍 The environmental and societal impact of underutilized urban spaces.🌱 Why urban greening is not just a “nice-to-have” but a critical climate adaptation measure. We also tackle some big questions: Are urban greenery projects too expensive for cities? Can innovations like Vertuo’s systems really contribute to net-zero goals? Packed with actionable insights, real-world examples, and a look at what’s next for greener, smarter cities, this episode is perfect for anyone curious about sustainable urban innovation. 🎧 Tune in to learn how urban greening is key to addressing the 51 billion-ton climate challenge. #Sustainability #UrbanGreening #ClimateInnovation Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Urban Greening Challenges 05:36 The Importance of Biodiversity in Urban Areas 10:16 Health Impacts of Urban Greening 15:57 Innovative Solutions for Urban Greening 22:09 Real-World Applications and Success Stories 26:10 Urban Greening and Indigenous Species 27:19 Quantifying the Impact of Urban Greening 30:58 The Cooling Effect and Energy Savings 32:45 What does it mean for cities like Los Angeles 34:50 Regulations and Partnerships in Urban Greening 36:01 Myth Busting: Cost of Urban Greening 43:27 Global Context and Collaboration in Urban Solutions 48:21 The Importance of Understanding Nature

Season 1 Episode 4: In this episode of Climate Conversations with Divya, we sit down with Lucas Maurice, a deep tech expert specializing in battery technology, critical minerals, and sustainable energy solutions. Together, we unravel the complexities of a sector that’s crucial to fighting climate change but not without its controversies. We explore: 🔋 Are batteries the climate saviors we think they are, or do they come with hidden costs? ⛏️ The real impact of mining for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. 🇪🇺 Why Europe is struggling to compete in the global battery race and what needs to change. 🌍 How much can advancements in energy storage really contribute to reducing the 51 billion tons of CO₂ emissions we face every year? Lucas brings insider insights and practical solutions to light, breaking down myths and offering a clear-eyed view of the challenges ahead. Whether you’re curious about the future of clean energy or simply need a break from holiday chaos, this episode is the perfect listen to recharge your curiosity. 🎧 Tune in now and join the conversation! With our host Divya Kabra #ClimateConversations #Sustainability #EnergyTech Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Lucas and His Background 04:39 The Importance of Batteries and Minerals in Climate Solutions 07:12 Current Trends in Battery Technology 10:25 the duck curve 12:11 Political Factors Affecting Battery Technology Development 14:45 The Future of Battery Technology in Europe 18:00 Playing the myths-and-controversies game 19:25 Myths and Realities of Battery Technology 21:35 Conclusion and Future Outlook 23:55 why NorthVolt failed 27:16 Geopolitical Pressures and Industry Dynamics 30:10 interconnected economy, rethinking transportation and urbanism 32:45 Quantifying Impact: The Role of EVs and Energy Storage 33:43 Electric Vehicles are not clean? "low-cabon" technologies and the unexpected myth-busting 35:53 EV's in Texas - a catastrophe! 37:55 story of the buried wind turbines 39:00 FINALLY!!! Quantifying all the impact - what's good and what's bad? 44:57 destroying the Death Star 45:08 Americanizing things? 46:54 Ethics of Mining: Balancing Benefits and Social Responsibility 49:44 Alternative technologies to traditional mining 50:46 Innovative Mining Technologies 52:32 the next big breakthrough in batteries 54:43 Advice for Startups and Investors 56:47 in all this craziness 57:18 Closing Thoughts and Future Perspectives 58:53 Outro

🎙️ Season 1, Episode 3: Biodiversity Protection and Business AccountabilityIn this episode of Climate Conversations with Divya, we’re joined by Martina Constantino to explore the vital role of biodiversity protection in business sustainability. Martina shares how her company is helping businesses comply with the European Union’s biodiversity regulations and prepare for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. Together, we delve into the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, what it means for companies, and how biodiversity impacts are being quantified to create measurable change.📊 Quantifying the Impact:🌾 Food Security: Pollinators, critical for 75% of global food crops, contribute $235–577 billion in annual crop output. Their protection ensures resilience against biodiversity loss.🌳 Carbon Sequestration: Restored ecosystems could absorb up to 2.5 billion tonnes of CO2 annually, representing ~5% of the global emissions target.🌱 Climate Action: Scaling biodiversity efforts globally could reduce emissions by 4-5 billion tonnes annually, advancing us 8-10% toward the net zero 2050 target.💡 Whether you’re a business leader, a sustainability advocate, or someone curious about how biodiversity protection is transforming industries, this episode provides actionable insights and real-world examples to inspire change.🔥 Subscribe now to Climate Conversations with Divya to uncover the strategies and innovations shaping a more sustainable future!📖 Glossary: Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD): A regulation by the European Union requiring companies to disclose sustainability and environmental impact data in their annual reports. European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS): Reporting standards under the CSRD that define what companies must disclose regarding sustainability. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG): A framework for assessing a company's long-term impact on the environment, society, and corporate governance. Mean Species Abundance (MSA): A metric that quantifies biodiversity levels by comparing species abundance in an area to their abundance in an undisturbed environment. EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030: A plan by the European Union to halt biodiversity loss and restore natural ecosystems by 2030. Learn more here.Link for 3BeesLink for the hostChapters00:00 Sound Bite and Bee Sounds!00:52 Intro and why we are not in a Mad Max Dystopia02:24 What does Martina do?03:15 EU's Biodiversity Laws and Why Biodiversity Monitoring?05:31 EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and what does it mean for comapnies?08:15 Mandatory Reporting and Corporate Responsibility10:07 Cool ass demo, fireflies, and growing up on a beach and ecological reserve!14:05 turtles eating plastic confusing it for jellyfish :(14:38 quantifying some impact part 1: let's talk numbers17:55 cool ass demo 2: platform predicting the future and bee sounds!18:14 Future of Biodiversity Initiatives25:19 emotional moment, and Divya losing her shit and crying!26:32 quantifying the impact part 2: polinators and the economy29:49 51 billion tons! and the net-zero 2050 target32:57 Communicating Biodiversity and Climate Resilience33:53 acts of god??36:34 The Myths and Misconceptions Game! myths about biodiversity explained46:31 developing nations and the burden of conservation48:59 Call to Action for CEOs and Governments50:49 getting kicked by a kangaroo? swimming with sharks?52:57 outro

FoodTech—buzzword or game-changer? 🌍 In this episode, ⁠I ⁠sit down with Adrien Villalonga, senior associate at Big Idea Ventures, to chew on the innovations reshaping the way we produce and consume food. From alternative proteins to sustainable farming, we explore the delicious intersection of technology and climate action.💡 What’s on the table:🔍 The jaw-dropping impact of alternative proteins on global emissions.🌱 How startups are tackling food waste and creating new eco-friendly solutions.📊 Quantifying the climate savings: Can FoodTech really save us a billion tons of CO2?Whether you’re a foodie, a climate advocate, or just curious about what’s next in sustainability, this episode is your backstage pass to the FoodTech revolution.Disclaimer: The views expressed by our guest are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employers or affiliated organizations.🎧 Tune in now and find out why FoodTech might just be the future of food!Chapters00:00 Intro and How Adrien and I met03:34 Evaluating Startups for Investment06:18 Breakthroughs in Alternative Proteins09:32 Challenges in Precision Fermentation12:28 Emerging Innovations in Sustainable Food15:35 Consumer Perception of Lab-Made Foods17:56 The Perception of Lab-Grown Meat21:57 The Role of Policy in Cultivated Meat22:19 Quantifying Impact in Climate Tech27:51 Consumer Behavior and Sustainable Choices30:08 Emerging Technologies and Challenges in Sustainability34:14 Looking ahead

🎙️ Season 1, Episode 1: Transforming Materials, Transforming the PlanetJoin Divya as she sits down with Andrea Cadelli, Program Manager at RedZone by SAES, to uncover the untapped potential of advanced materials in climate tech. From turning food waste into eco-friendly cosmetics to using UV-resistant bacteria for revolutionary sun protection, we explore how material science is rewriting the rules of sustainability.📊 Quantifying the Impact: Tackling 52 billion tons of annual greenhouse gas emissions with practical solutions. Pioneering cooling systems for regions like the Middle East and China using meta-materials.💡 Whether you're a climate enthusiast, a tech fan, or curious about the innovations shaping our future, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at the breakthroughs making a real difference.🔥 Subscribe now to Climate Conversations with Divya and discover the power of material science in saving the planet!Chapters00:00 Introduction to Climate Conversations02:45 Exploring Red Zone and Material Science Innovations05:16 The Role of Material Sciences in Climate Tech07:35 Identifying Key Industries and Startups10:14 Innovative Startups in the Cosmetics Sector13:04 Biotechnology and Advanced Materials15:57 *Quantifying* Impact of Material Science Technologies23:15 Understanding Carbon Capture Technologies26:43 The Role of Material Science in Emission Reduction29:23 Innovative Smart Materials for Energy Efficiency32:33 Challenges in Scaling Advanced Materials36:24 Supporting Startups in Climate Tech41:20 Future Trends in Material Science and Sustainability45:42 Building a Collaborative Ecosystem for Climate Solutions

🎙️ What happens when billionaires talk Mars and the rest of us are left to clean up Earth? In this special behind-the-scenes episode, our host Divya Kabra with our special guest Andrea Cadelli, Program Manager at RedZone by SAES, discuss the untold stories of climate solutions happening right here on Earth. 💡 Highlights You Can’t Miss: The unexpected role of material science in combating climate change. A candid take on how industrialized nations pollute while others bear the cost. Why conversations like this might just be the antidote to apathy.📊 We don’t want to spoil the full story, but let’s just say—what you’ll hear might change the way you think about climate action forever. 🎧 Tune in now to get a sneak peek into the world of game-changing ideas and candid conversations in this bonus episode of Climate Conversations with Divya. It’s not just a podcast—it’s the start of a movement. Let’s save Earth before we even think about Mars. 🌱 The full episodes are coming soon, but this is where it all begins. some links: www.redzonebysaes.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/redzonebysaes https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreacad/ : guest https://www.linkedin.com/in/divya-kabra/ : host

Climate Conversations with Divya was present at the ChangeNow 2025 Paris Summit and took the time to highlight innovation from a couple organisations. Tune in to meet a few of the exhibitors!🌍 ChangeNOW was back, returning at the iconic Grand Palais in Paris, the iconic venue of the 1900 World Expo, this April 24-26th 2025.ChangeNOW 2025 gathered the most promising innovations, visionary leaders and changemakers in a spectacular World Expo of solutions for the planet.