CO₂ is one of the gases most closely linked to global warming, but it is also deeply embedded in how modern industry and cities function. In this episode of SUBSTANCE, host Joe Hanson explores what it will take to reduce emissions in two places that matter enormously for the climate: industrial production and urban design. Drawing on perspectives from Christoph Jäkel of BASF and renowned architect and urban planner Steffen Lehmann, the episode looks at how systems can be redesigned to cut carbon emissions while improving the way we live.

Dr. Christoph Jäkel, Vice President of Corporate Sustainability at BASF, explains how their Verbund-approach connects production processes so that heat and by-products from one plant can be used in another, helping to save resources and lower the company’s carbon footprint. One example is BASF’s new Verbund site in Zhanjiang, China, which is designed to run on renewable electricity,

Urban planner Professor Steffen Lehmann argues that cities can play a crucial role in lowering CO₂ emissions if they are designed to be denser, greener, and less dependent on private cars. He explains why compact, polycentric cities have a lower carbon footprint than sprawling urban regions and discusses how urban planning choices such as more tree cover, better cycling infrastructure, and mixed-use neighborhoods can make cities both more climate-friendly and more livable.

In next months’ episode, we will discuss “Salt”. Subscribe now so you’ll never miss an episode.

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SUBSTANCE is a podcast by BASF,