In this inaugural episode of OnClimate, host Khyati Varma explores why climate action can't wait with Katie McGinty, a visionary whose remarkable career spans from the White House to Johnson Controls. From her early days as a chemistry student to becoming a pioneering force in environmental policy and corporate governance, Katie dives deep into how hands-on experience shaped her mission to transform climate challenges into practical solutions.

The conversation cuts through the noise around ESG to reveal a stark reality: climate change isn't a future scenario—it's already reshaping our world. "If you're a company and you're not leaning into decarbonizing your operations, you're burning cash—and you're burning the planet," Katie warns.

Yet, this episode is also about seizing enormous opportunities. Katie’s insight that “ESG is JGB—it’s just good business” highlights how sustainable practices drive profitability through enhanced efficiency, job creation, and market expansion. She explains how radical collaboration across technology, capital, and policy is accelerating the energy transition and paving the way for companies to thrive in a low-carbon future.

Join us for an eye-opening discussion about why climate action isn't just an environmental imperative—it's a business necessity that's reshaping industries and opening new horizons for growth and innovation.

00:00 - The Energy Transition

01:36 - Why Urgency, Clarity, and Collaboration Matter

02:05 - Meet Katie McGinty

02:27 - Lessons from Childhood

04:04 - From Chemistry to Law

05:35 - Working with Al Gore

07:04 - Climate Change Explained

09:11 - Climate Change is Science, Not Politics

10:04 - The Top 3 Solutions to Cut Carbon Emissions

10:59 - How Energy-Efficient Buildings Can Reduce Emissions

12:42 - AI’s Energy Problem

13:49 - Collaboration is Key

18:35 - Lessons from the Ozone Crisis

31:30 - The Inflation Reduction Act & Climate Policy Uncertainty

34:36 - How Business Can Drive Climate Solutions

35:25 - ESG is Just Good Business

36:58 - Johnson Controls’ Strategy for Decarbonization

41:59 - Climate Action in Schools

44:42 - Ensuring Equity in Clean Energy

51:31 - COP29 & the Trillion-Dollar Climate Financing Gap

56:54 - Are We Headed for a Sustainable Future?

To hear more of Katie’s perspective and how Johnson Controls continues to lead the industry in transforming buildings with AI and data driven technologies—empowering industries to create safe, healthy, and sustainable spaces:

Johnson Controls Sustainability Report https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/-/media/project/jci-global/johnson-controls/us-region/united-states-johnson-controls/corporate-sustainability/reporting-and-policies/documents/2024-sustainability-report.pdf

Davos - Katie McGinty on decarbonizing buildings https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/insights/2025/feature-story/katie-mcginty-on-decarbonizing-buildings

Johnson Controls Data Center Insights Guide https://www.johnsoncontrols.co.uk/-/media/project/jci-global/johnson-controls/uki-region/united-kingdom/insights/2023/files/ea2310003_data_centre_insight_guide_v7.pdf

🔗 CONNECT WITH KATIE:

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-katie-mcginty-a9818560/

#EnergyTransition #Sustainability #ClimateAction