In this episode of Navigating Net Zero, host Alexia Kelly is joined by Holly Lahd to discuss the intersection of carbon accounting and energy strategy. Holly shares her experiences working on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol's Scope 3 standard, her transition to corporate decarbonization efforts, and insights on regulated and wholesale energy markets. The discussion covers the evolution of electricity markets, the complexities of corporate climate strategies, and the challenges of Scope 3 emissions. Holly emphasizes the importance of large-scale renewable energy projects and the crucial role of corporate purchasing in driving decarbonization. 

The episode examines the interaction between financial structuring, market dynamics, and the need for both attributional and consequential accounting practices in corporate climate action. Tune in to explore how companies can navigate the transitional period of ambiguous guidelines and make impactful decisions.

In this episode of Navigating Net Zero, host Alexia Kelly welcomes Liz Willmott, a climate and sustainability expert with over 20 years of experience across the public, nonprofit, and private sectors, including a pivotal role at Microsoft. Liz shares her journey from a childhood tree hugger to leading Microsoft's carbon negative strategy and founding Earth Rise Consulting. The discussion covers the importance of market-based solutions like Microsoft’s internal carbon fee, the challenges and strategies for mainstreaming sustainability in corporations, and the need for intellectual flexibility and practical progress over perfection. Liz emphasizes the role of collaboration, the adaptation of climate solutions, and the mental resilience required for sustainability professionals. The conversation provides a comprehensive look at the multidimensional efforts needed to navigate the path to net zero.

In this episode of Navigating Net Zero, Alexia Kelly welcomes Peter Freed, a seasoned clean energy strategist with over two decades shaping the future of corporate clean energy and climate strategy. Peter, who has led energy strategy at Meta and now advises companies through Near Horizon Group, shares his journey from early work at Terra Pass to advancing corporate renewable energy initiatives. The discussion delves into the evolution of clean energy strategies, from initial carbon offsets to current greenhouse gas accounting practices.

Peter highlights the importance of practical sustainability measures and the role of voluntary targets in driving corporate action. The conversation also covers the economic shifts in renewable energy procurement, noting a transition from a buyer’s to a seller’s market, and addresses the complexities of international markets, particularly in developing countries. They explore the significance of precise greenhouse gas accounting and the potential of AI to revolutionize grid management and materials science for clean energy. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) are identified as crucial for managing fossil fuel emissions amidst the clean energy transition.

The episode concludes with reflections on maintaining corporate commitment to sustainability amidst evolving market and policy landscapes. Overall, this episode provides a comprehensive look at the challenges and opportunities in achieving net zero, offering valuable insights for professionals navigating the complexities of corporate sustainability and clean energy innovation.

In this episode of Navigating Net Zero, Alexia Kelly talks with Jenny Morgan, a climate strategist, author, and climate champion. Jenny discusses her debut book, 'Cancel Culture and Climate,' which addresses how polarization, blame, and fear are impeding progress on sustainability goals. She shares her experiences at Microsoft and Tradewater, highlighting the challenges and successes in promoting sustainable actions. Jenny emphasizes the importance of empathy and collaboration in driving collective impact and offers insights on how to turn criticism into accountability and continuous improvement. The conversation delves into the role of voluntary climate action, the significance of short-lived climate pollutants, and the need for more transparent and detailed sustainability reporting. The episode concludes with strategies for fostering a collaborative and action-oriented climate community.

In this episode of Navigating Net Zero, Alexia Kelly is joined by Chris Davis, a seasoned climate and sustainability expert. They discuss Chris's extensive career in climate action spanning government, industry, and civil society, highlighting his recent work at Amazon and as a senior fellow at the High Tide Foundation. The conversation delves into the complexities of corporate climate action, the intricacies of greenhouse gas accounting, and the newly launched Task Force for Corporate Action Transparency (TCAT). They explore the need for and launch of two new corporate climate action guidance documents — the Mitigation Action Accounting and Reporting Guidance (MAARG) and the Target Accounting and Reporting Guidance (TARG) — and their role in helping companies navigate and report their climate actions transparently and consistently.

In this episode of Navigating Net Zero, Alexia Kelly interviews Lyrica McTiernan, a sustainability expert with over 15 years of experience. Lyrica shares her journey from her early days at Facebook, where she helped establish the company's sustainability program, to her time leading sustainability partnerships at WeWork. She discusses the evolution of corporate climate action, the challenges of setting and meeting sustainability targets, and the importance of transparency and internal alignment. The conversation highlights the need for adaptability in the face of evolving standards and the critical role of effective change management within companies.

In this episode of Navigating Net Zero, host Alexia Kelly is joined by CSO Copilot’s Ashley Allen, whose career has spanned climate leadership at the United States Department of State, spearheading climate and land use initiatives at Mars, and serving as Oatly’s Chief Sustainability Officer. They discuss the challenges and strategies of setting ambitious net zero goals, the complexities of tackling supply chain emissions, and the vital role both large multinationals and smaller startups play in driving lasting change. The conversation also covers the impact of recent political shifts on global sustainability efforts and the promising future of nature-based solutions.

In the pilot episode of Navigating Net Zero, host Alexia Kelly connects with Patrick Flynn, climate expert and former Head of Sustainability at Salesforce. Patrick and Alexia discuss his experience at Salesforce, where a strong culture throughout the entire organization – from teams in every part of Salesforce all the way to CEO Marc Benioff – was so important to embedding sustainability throughout the company, even to the point of establishing sustainability as a core company value. They also dive into the challenges of tackling supply chain emissions, the importance of customer pressure, and how incentives and market-based instruments drive and enable real-world impact. They also discuss Patrick’s experience leading Switchboard, an organization aimed at building new climate leaders and harnessing collective action, and his upcoming masterclass on how to architect and execute your organization’s most impactful climate action strategies.

Navigating Net Zero is a new podcast dedicated to highlighting practitioners and experts navigating the complex realities of corporate decarbonization and sustainability. Hosted by international climate leader Alexia Kelly & The High Tide Foundation’s Carbon Policy & Markets Initiative, this series explores what really works from the people who do the work.

Through candid conversations, we aim to address challenges, uncover opportunities, and empower listeners—whether they’re corporate sustainability professionals, policymakers, or engaged members of the public—to take meaningful action in their own spheres of influence.

Season 1 of Navigating Net Zero focuses on dynamic, eye-opening conversations with corporate sustainability leaders. What is it actually like to lead a Fortune 500 company’s sustainability efforts? What do people not fully understand about the past, present, and future of corporate climate action? What comes next? 

Tune into Navigating Net Zero to hear and learn from the smart, effective professionals trailblazing the crucial but challenging work of finding effective climate solutions. 

Episode 1 is set for release on August 27th.