Investing in Zero

In this episode, Andy Vesey is joined by Tyler Cole, Director of Carbon Intelligence at FreightWaves. Founded in 2017, the FreightIntel provider enables companies involved in the $9.6 trillion global logistics market to benchmark, analyze, monitor, and forecast the carbon emissions generated by their transportation networks. FreightWaves'​ SaaS platform SONAR, has time-series and geo-based data from all modes of freight, including truck, rail, ocean, air, and warehouse. In this in-depth conversation, Tyler shares his journey into the freight industry and how alternative fuels were his first introduction to differentiation through sustainability and environmental performance; explains how programs such as California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard will increase the number of electromotive vehicles; and describes coming out of the ‘covid demand explosion’ as a silver lining for supply chains, with the volume of freight being tendered from shippers to fleets decreasing, allowing consumer staples and industrials to lead the way.

In this episode, host Andy Vesey is joined by two guests from Palantir Technologies; deployment strategist Joy Didier, who is also co-lead of the utility practice alongside her colleague, Olivier Farache; who is a senior advisor to the chief executive. Headquartered in Colorado, the data analytics firm builds software which empowers organizations to integrate their data, decisions and operations.In this in-depth conversation, they discuss how Palantir’s Foundry software is being used by some of the world's most important institutions to make sense of unforeseen threats before they happen, such as mitigating the risk of wildfires, building safer cars, and accelerating cancer research. Together they explain how Palantir are leading the charge in building the “connected utility of the future”, by partnering with some of the world’s leading organizations to power renewable energy and accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels.They also discuss Palantir’s commitment to carbon-neutrality, and how they are helping customers to innovate new technologies which are critical to a truly net zero future.

Tom Rivett-Carnac is a political strategist, author and co-founder of Global Optimism. The organization works with partners and citizens to inspire action on climate change and to help cut global emissions, throughout a defining decade in human history. Previously, Tom served as senior advisor to the executive secretary at the UN Climate Convention, where he focused on political strategy to achieve the landmark Paris Agreement in 2015. In this in-depth conversation, Tom discusses the importance of individuals taking responsibility for their own role in the climate crisis, and how attitude change in itself, is a powerful tool for transformation; shares his concern for the rate in which carbon emissions are being cut, in comparison to the goals needed to prevent the temperature rising any more than 1.5°C; and considers how the pandemic has taught us lessons in “listening to the science”, as well as society’s ability to cope and adapt to disruption. 

Jessica Long is head of climate change and sustainability practice at Ipsos MORI. The leading research company based in the UK and Ireland leverages cross-sector expertise in sustainability, the environment and climate change research - and provides insights to inform decision-making at the forefront of the green economy. Jessica has also worked with governments and corporate multinationals around the globe to further their sustainability agenda, both in terms of environmental and social progress. In this conversation, Jessica shares her thoughts in the build up to COP26 and what she hopes the summit will achieve; explores the importance of informed decision-making and the use of data to combat climate change; and discusses how important it is to change consumer behavior and why everyone needs to play their part.

Patrick Muriuki is a business development & partnerships leader at Greenlight Planet.  Founded in 2008, the company designs, distributes, and finances solar home energy for under-served populations – and currently aids 1.2 billion global consumers who lack reliable access to the electrical grid. As a global enterprise, they have 11 offices in countries throughout Africa and India, and have grown to a team of over 1,200 employees. In this conversation, he discusses why the ability to have an impact on people’s lives drew him to Greenlight Planet’s mission; delves into the many products they provide - working to help consumers save on fossil-fuel-based energy costs; and shares his opinion on the positive impact they have on consumer’s health, education and income.

Scott Foster is director of the Sustainable Energy Division at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. Appointed to the role in 2011, he manages the UN’s development and delivery of its energy program on behalf of all 56 European member states. In this conversation, he describes how the pandemic has provided an opportunity to re-evaluate energy efficiency from source to use — to improve quality of life and further economic development; considers the role that fossil fuels will play in a sustainable energy system; and explains the significant impact the built environment and transport sector will play in achieving key climate and energy targets, as drivers of decarbonization.Created & produced by Podcast Partners:www.podcastpartners.com 

Andrés Gluski is president and chief executive of The AES Corporation. Founded in 1981, the Fortune 500 company provides sustainable and affordable energy to 14 countries via a diverse portfolio of businesses. They are committed to operational excellence and meeting the world’s ever-changing power needs. In this conversation, Andrés shares the wide-ranging transformations he’s seen in the energy sector throughout his career; describes the severe threat we’re currently facing if we don’t begin the responsible transition to renewables; and explains why he believes there’s a promising future in the smart grid. Created & produced by Podcast Partners:www.podcastpartners.com

Paul Hutton is chief executive of Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS). A leading aircraft integrator in green commercial aviation, CAeS has a client base which includes Boeing, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, L3 and Raytheon. Appointed to the role in 2015, Paul has extensive experience in executive roles across the aerospace technology, and IT services industries. In this conversation, Paul explains why it's so important that we see “revolutionary” and fast-paced change in the aerospace sector, if we’re to achieve global net-zero climate goals; and outlines the company’s current initiative ‘Project Fresson’, which aims to deliver the world’s first truly green passenger carrying airline services, using hydrogen cell technology.Created & produced by Podcast Partners:www.podcastpartners.comTo find out more about ‘Project Fresson’ visit: https://www.cranfieldaerospace.com/2021/project-fresson-hydrogen

Corbin Hiar is a climate and business reporter at E&E News. Since joining in 2014, his work has been honored by the Society of Environmental Journalists, the National Press Club and the Society of Professional Journalists - and published by publications including; Scientific American, Science magazine and The Economist. In this conversation, Corbin describes the upcoming hurdles many nations will have to face if we’re to keep our commitment to net zero by 2050, as set out by the Paris Agreement; shares insight into reporting on corporate climate action, or a lack of, and the importance of encouraging companies to act; and explains the severity of the threat from disinformation - and how damaging this is, not only towards our climate goals, but society as a whole.  Created & produced by Podcast Partners:www.podcastpartners.com 

Peter Krull is chief executive and director of investments at Earth Equity Advisors. Founded in 2004, the company helps businesses align their investments with their values - with clients in 22 states, and over $150 million in assets. In 2018, Peter was nominated as one of the most influential financial advisors in America by Investopedia 100, and was also selected as a ‘40 under 40’ by the Savannah Business Report. In this conversation, Peter describes the difference between SRI and  ESG investing - and how a lack of clarity can lead to issues including the potential for greenwashing; shares evidence which shows how diverse companies perform better in these areas, by bringing a much-needed breadth of opinion to the table; and explains the significance of corporate resiliency, being able to adapt to an ever-changing world and look forward to the future. 

Nat Bullard is chief content officer at BloombergNEF. Since joining the team in 2010, he’s held a number of roles including global head of executive insights, analyzing energy transitions and technologies; content director for Bloomberg New Energy Finance; and lead analyst for the North American new energy market. He is also a member of the Climate-Related Subcommittee of the CFTC’s Market Risk Advisory Committee. In this conversation, Nat delves into the importance of understanding how  the severity of our future condition, is entirely determined by our present actions, or lack of; explains the need for deep-rooted organizational change and companies that are willing to become more dynamic to current needs; and discusses the significance of getting the narrative right - phrasing decarbonization as an investment instead of a cost... 

Dr. Graciela Chichilnisky is co-founder and chief executive of Global Thermostat, and professor of economics at Columbia University. Established in 2010, the company markets a carbon-removal technology that captures and concentrates CO2, to reduce harmful emissions and help close the global carbon cycle. An author of many books, her most recent ‘Reversing Climate Change,’ has transformed the way modern academics view the most dire problem facing mankind, and its economic implications. In this conversation, Graciela describes the new technology - delves into how it works, and their wider mission to help combat climate change; discusses how important it is for more jobs to be created in the clean energy sector, vouching that “jobs are the solution;” and explains why it’s so important for companies to learn-whilst-doing, as this enables them to scale-up and achieve broader targets and goals. 

David Callaway is founder and editor of Callaway Climate Insights. Founded in 2020, the weekly newsletter provides news, critical analysis and commentary on the business of climate change. Beginning his career as a reporter and columnist for the Boston Herald, he has held senior positions at a variety of publications including; Bloomberg News, CBS MarketWatch, TheStreet Inc., and USA Today. In this conversation, David explains the significant role of the media in communicating the severity of global warming to the public; describes the impact young investors’ are having on the climate economy, and how they’re shifting the landscape by investing in more climate-focussed companies; and the current surge in renewable energy and what this means for the future of public versus private investment.