The ClimateTech Podcast

This episode looks at the concept of the bioeconomy and its potential to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptationIt examines the progress being made in scaling up the availability and use of these technologies, highlighting both global trends and region-specific developments. Biobased technologies include processes, products and systems derived from renewable biological resources such as biomass, agricultural residues and algae that can be sustainably replenished over time. Accelerating technological innovation and policy momentum is driving growth in biomass utilization and biogenic carbon solutions, sustainable land use and advanced biobased materials. The global bioeconomy is valued at an estimated $4–5 trillion, with the potential to grow to $30 trillion by 2050, positioning it as a cornerstone of the transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient, and sustainable future. Realizing this potential will require targeted action across technology, finance, and effective governance and policy.Join Daya Pandey, Francis X Johnson, Alex Godoy-Faundez and Debora Ley, lead authors of the 2025 Climate Technology Progress Report in a broad discussion of the bioeconomy.

In this episode of the ClimateTech Podcast, we explore how clean cooking—especially electric cooking powered by renewables—is emerging as a powerful climate solution with wide-reaching benefits for health, gender equality, and sustainable development.We delve into why clean cooking is now a national priority in Uganda, the numerous co-benefits, barriers to scale, including affordability, access, and awareness, and how carbon markets and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement can unlock new financing pathways.Guests:Herbert Abigaba, Head of the Clean Cooking Unit, Ministry of Energy, UgandaRuth Akiiki Komuntale, Managing Director, ECOCA East AfricaBen Jeffreys, Managing Director, ATECSandra Cavalieri, Clean Cooking Lead, Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)For more insights, check out the report Business and Financing Models for PV-Supported Clean Cooking.Or check out the SOLCO Partnership - a multi-stakeholder ecosystem catalyzing the transition to solar-powered electric cooking or hybrid e-cooking in last mile communities across the globe, and the Global Electric Cooking Coalition (GeCCo) - a collaboration of eCooking advocates seeking to significantly scale up access to electric cooking solutions across the world.

In this episode of the ClimateTech Podcast, we explore how waste—often seen as a challenge—can become a powerful resource for clean energy and local development across Africa.We dive into the growing waste crisis, how waste-to-energy solutions can reduce pollution, cut emissions, and create jobs, practical innovations in refugee settings and informal waste collection, and look at lessons from the SESA project on capacity building, peer learning, and inclusive planning.Guests:Guglielmo Mazzà, CEO and Co-founder of ReFuse, a Lebanese social enterprise focused on integrated solid waste managementClaudia Schröder, Senior Professional Officer for Climate Change, Energy & Resilience at ICLEI AfricaExplore the SESA Toolbox for practical, replicable energy solutions here: https://toolbox.sesa-euafrica.eu/More information on the Sunny project can be found here: https://sunny-project.eu/

In this episode of the ClimateTech Podcast, we explore the untapped potential of biogas as a renewable energy solution— looking at experiences from Brazil and research from Africa. From household systems to industrial-scale applications, biogas offers a powerful way to reduce emissions, improve waste management, and support energy access.Guests:Yuri Schmitke, President of the Brazilian Association of Waste Energy Recovery (ABREN), who shares insights from Brazil’s national biogas strategy and upcoming biomethane mandate.Dr. Solomon Eghosa Uhunamure, postdoctoral fellow at the University of Cape Town, who brings a research-based perspective on biogas adoption in South Africa.This episode is produced through the Smart Energy Solutions for Africa (SESA) project, funded by the European Union.Explore the SESA Toolbox for practical, replicable energy solutions here: https://toolbox.sesa-euafrica.eu/List of Solomon´s publications and research: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Solomon-UhunamurePublications available through ABREN: https://abren.org.br/downloads/

In this episode, we look at nature-based solutions and how we can overcome the barriers to scale and implement them in growing cities. The guests present several societal and biodiversity co-benefits resulting implementing nature-based solutions for climate adaptation and resilience in cities.  We delve into policies, regulations, and the need for enhanced capacity and peer-to-peer knowledge transfer between cities of the global south.Guests:Julia Rocha Romero, Advisor – Nature-based Solutions, UNEP-CCCGabriel Dias Mangolini Neves, Environmental Engineer, Municipality of Campinas, BrazilMonalisa Sen, Associate Director, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, South AsiaLinks to reports and cases mentioned in the episode:Enabling Future-Ready Urbanization in Fast-Growing Cities with Nature-based Solutions Business Models for Financing Nature-Based Solutions in Urban Climate ActionLinear parks in Campinas, BrazilCanal restoration in Kochi, India

In this episode, we look at investing in urban climate resilience with Nature-Based Solutions through innovative business models, and a new publication with examples on how to develop them: Business Models for Financing Nature-Based Solutions in Urban Climate Action.We delve into real-world examples, how to speak the language of private sector stakeholders, underused financing sources, and the importance of data and analysis.Guests:Dora Almassy, nature-based solutions assessment expertSolutionsNajma Mohamed, Head of nature-based solutions, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring CentreVanesa Rodriguez Osuna, Net-Zero Sector Track Lead, UNEP Finance Initiative

In this episode, we talk about climate technology in cities, and about implementing green solutions in an urban context. We look at overall issues, challenges and opportunities, and look closer at what we can learn from Thailand on governance for the water sector specifically.Guests:-Pakamas Thinphanga, project director at Thailand Environment institute, specializing in urban climate resilience –engaging with local communities and governments-Blanche Ting, Energy Advisor at UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre and editor of the Climate Technology Progress Report.The episode references the Climate Technology Progress Report, which can be found here: https://unepccc.org/climate-technology-progress-reports/And a recent webinar on governing urban systems transition, which can be found here: https://unepccc.org/events/governing-urban-systems-transition-how-to-meet-the-needs-for-climate-technology-transfer/

In this episode, we talk about the Adaptation Gap, more specifically the adaptation finance gap.Joined by the authors of the finance chapter of UNEPs 2023 Adaptation Gap Report, we delve into the big numbers, go beyond them, and try to show what the adaptation finance gap actually means and what we can do about it.The report shows an adaptation finance gap of 194 to 366 billion dollars - numbers that can seem almost surreal.But, bridging the adaptation gap is not just about reaching the right amount of billions in finance, its also about how we spend the money, about equity, and about gender and social inclusion aspects.As the report and the guests make clear, emissions reductions are urgently needed. Slow and insufficient climate adaptation is stretching the limits of our ability to cope with climate change, increasing loss and damage in the future.Guests:Paul Watkiss, Director of the research consultancy Paul Watkiss AssociatesDipesh Chapagain, Senior Research Associate at the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security. Georgia Savvidou, research associate at Stockholm Environment Institute and PhD researcher at Chalmers University of Technology. Blanche Butera, climate adaptation specialist at Paul Watkiss Associates. Based in Rwanda Pieter Pauw, senior researcher at the Eindhoven University of TechnologyDownload the 2023 UNEP Adaptation Gap Report here: https://www.unep.org/resources/adaptation-gap-report-2023

In this episode we talk about carbon markets, and emissions trading under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. We look at Pakistan and the country's experiences, potential and needs when it comes to using Article 6 to both implement NDCs and raise climate finance and ambitions.The guests discuss why carbon markets can be crucial and why Pakistan in particular is interested in using Article 6.We also talk about what the barriers for using Article 6 and how the Supporting Preparedness for Article 6 Cooperation (or simply 'SPAR6C') programme can help Pakistan overcome them.Guests:Dr Saima Shafique, Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination of Pakistan, UNFCCC focal point and focal point for the SPAR6C ProgrammeKaren Olsen, UNEP carbon market coordinatorXianli Zhu, Article 6 lead for UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre in Pakistan.

What is a climate advisory institution, why are they important when it comes to climate policy and action, and what can we learn from Costa Rica when it comes to setting one up? In this special transparency episode of the ClimateTech podcast we take a look at the how and why of climate advisory institutions, and look at how Costa Rica, has broadened the definition of data to improve climate action with the support of the Capacity-building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT). Guests: - Ana Lucía Moya Mora, CBIT coordinator, Costa Rica - William Billy Holness, CBIT Regional Portfolio Manager for UNEP in the LAC region - Per Wretlind, CBIT Coordinator at UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre Read more about CBIT here:https://www.cbitplatform.org/

When it comes to technology and climate action, it's no longer about the 'what', it is about the 'how'.In this special COP episode we look at the progress of climate technology implementation and how COP27 addressed the needs and priorities from developing countries.And then we look to COP28 and what is needed in the future to ramp up implementation and ambition.If you want to know more about the progress and barriers and enablers for climate technology, check out the 2022 Climate Technology Progress Report:https://unepccc.org/the-climate-technology-progress-report-2022/

In this episode, we talk about food waste, and what we can do to prevent that huge amounts of food each year is wasted.Why do tons after tons of perfectly edible food end up in landfills, and what kind of technology is out there, that can help us?We also take a look at what kind of policies are needed to push the implementation of the technology.The episode uses facts and analysis from the new 'Reducing Food Consumer Food Waste' report, available here: https://bit.ly/TechReducingFoodWasteYou can also read more about UNEP's work to stop food waste here: https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/green-economy/build-back-betterGuests:- Pornphrom Vikitsreth: Head of a food waste project pilot in Bangkok, and worked with UNEP projects on Recycling systems in Southeast Asia, promoting low-carbon lifestyles. He is also a lecturer at Thammasat University, focusing on sustainable development and a consultant on how to promote circular thinking in hotels and restaurants.- Matt Homewood: Head of sustainability at the food tech company Throw No More. Prior to joining the company, Matt worked as an independent food waste campaigner to end supermarket food waste in Denmark and beyond, highlighting the massive amounts of edible food that gets thrown away every day.

We talk about Indigenous Peoples' technology and the strength and barriers in a climate action context.What are the strengths of IP knowledge and tech in terms of climate change mitigation and adaptation?How can we create synergies and win-win situations with modern climate technologies?The general role of marginalised groups, such as Indigenous Peoples and women.We also talk about the rights that Indigenous Peoples have, why respecting them is crucial and about the levels of acknowledgement and recognition within the UNFCCC system.Guests:- Tunga Bhadra Rai, national coordinator at the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities- Pirawan Wongnithisathaporn, Environment Program Officer at the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact- Sara Trærup, lead on the Technology Needs Assessment project, working with almost 100 countries on prioritising and implementing climate tech.Special thanks to IWGIA - the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs - a global human rights organisation dedicated to promoting, protecting and defending Indigenous Peoples’ rights, for their support in the making of this episode.

This episode of the ClimateTech podcast, and the interviews, build on a UNEP DTU Partnership project called Technology, Markets and Investment for Low Carbon and Climate Resilient Development, or simply just TEMARIN.We work with local partners to see how the market for renewable energy can be strengthened, bottlenecks removed and especially how local companies can increase their share of the market.In this podcast we are going to highlight the road travelled by some of Kenya's well-established renewable energy companies, and look at which barriers and challenges they faced along the way.

Is closing the adaptation gap just a matter of getting the right technology to the right place at the right time?In this episode, we talk about the adaptation gap, what it is and what role technology can play in closing it. What are the barriers and enablers, and where do we need to focus. By looking at the gap for climate adaptation, we also look at technology, finance and capacity gaps.Guests:- Anil Markandya: Director of the Basque Centre for Climate Change- Richard Klein: Senior research fellow at the Stockholm Environment Institute- Jessica Troni: Head of the adaptation unit at UN Environment

Leading up to the COP25, we discuss how important a focus on climate technology implementation is, and how the negotiations can help developing countries get access to technology.With input from UNFCCC Secretariat and a Liberian COP-negotiator, we focus on the technology streams at COP where the need for finance and capacity-building are highlighted.Guests: Rose Mwebaza, Director of CTCN and Sara Trærup, Head of Technology at UNEP DTU Partnership

Worldwide demand for clean energy is huge, and the technology to deliver it gets cheaper and cheaper. So the obvious question is: Why isn’t more happening?In this episode we discuss the importance of energy, when it comes to climate change and technology transfer, and we talk about barriers and solutions.Guests: Head of the UNEP DTU Partnership technology section, Sara Trærup, and CEO of M-PAYG, a company that specialises in affordable off-grid solar power systems, Asger Trier.

In the ClimateTech Podcast, we focus on the technology that can help us in the climate crisis, and more importantly, on how we can speed up implementation in developing countries.Published by UNEP DTU Partnership. Read more: https://unepdtu.org/