The 360 on Energy and Carbon

Join hosts Lysandra Naom, David Arkell, and John Pooley for a conversation with Andrew Birch (“Birchy”), Co-Founder and CEO of OpenSolar.This episode explores how solar moved from an expensive niche technology to the lowest-cost source of electricity in history — and why that shift is now reshaping global energy systems. Birchie breaks down the real economics behind solar’s rapid growth, how Australia reached over 30% solar penetration, and why common global energy statistics often misrepresent how close we are to large-scale electrification.The discussion also dives into the barriers slowing adoption in North America, including permitting delays, grid interconnection challenges, and why batteries fundamentally change the limits of solar penetration.If you’re trying to understand where energy economics, policy, and infrastructure are actually heading, this episode offers a grounded, data-driven perspective.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:18 What the Solar Industry Looked Like in 200001:55 How Australia Became a Solar Leader05:10 China’s Role in Global Solar Manufacturing08:26 Public Pushback, Rooftop Solar, and Scale10:09 Is a Renewable Grid “All Solar”?10:35 The Risks of Long-Term Technology Lock-In13:43 The S-Curve Case for Solar Growth17:37 Policy Barriers Slowing Adoption21:40 Batteries and Grid Stability23:28 Choosing the Most Impactful Policy Lever24:52 EVs and the Electrification Feedback Loop27:14 Final Takeaways🌍 Learn more at www.360energy.net to see how we help organizations make informed energy decisions, reduce costs, and navigate the energy transition.

• Join hosts David Arkell and John Pooley for a deep, practical conversation with sustainability strategist Bob Willard on why procurement may be the most powerful, and underused, lever for reducing emissions.
• This episode breaks down where most organizations are misfocusing their climate efforts, and why Scope 3 emissions often dwarf operational emissions. Bob explains how net zero procurement shifts purchasing from lowest price to best value, using market pressure instead of regulation to drive real change across supply chains.
• The discussion covers why suppliers respond when emissions performance actually affects bids, how governments and large buyers can create ripple effects across entire industries, and why small and medium-sized businesses must be part of the solution.
• This isn’t a theoretical conversation. It’s about using procurement as a market force to accelerate decarbonization at scale.
• If your organization talks about net zero but hasn’t looked seriously at procurement, this episode is essential listening.
• Timestamps:00:00 Welcome and Introduction01:00 Why Procurement Is Central to Climate Accountability03:40 Scope 3 Emissions and the Real Carbon Footprint of Companies06:00 Why Supply Chain Emissions Are 26× Larger Than Scope 1 and 208:30 What Net Zero Procurement Actually Means in Practice11:00 Customer Pressure vs. Regulation14:20 Why Procurement Scoring Changes Supplier Behavior17:00 The Role of SMEs in Supply Chain Emissions19:10 Government Procurement as a Market Force23:00 Creating Ripple Effects Across Tiered Supply Chains29:00 Why Climate Action Stalls Without Incentives33:30 Political Will, Economics, and Slow Progress38:00 Technology, AI, and Practical Implementation44:30 The Urgency Problem and Why Gradual Change Fails47:20 Key Takeaways for Businesses and Communities52:00 Closing Thoughts

In this end-of-year recap, hosts Dave Arkell, John Pooley, and Lysandra Naom reflect on the most impactful episodes of The 360 on Energy and Carbon in 2025.Using listener data and Spotify Wrapped insights, the team highlights the episodes that resonated most with audiences worldwide, spanning energy security, sustainable finance, grid stability, industrial decarbonization, and climate policy. They discuss how global perspectives from Europe, Australia, and beyond shaped the conversation, and why themes like resilience, energy literacy, and operational action stood out this year.The episode also explores which conversations influenced the hosts’ own thinking, what senior leaders should prioritize heading into 2026, and the broader lessons listeners can take away from a year of global energy and carbon discussions.Chapters00:00 Welcome and 2025 Recap Overview02:15 Listener Growth and Global Audience Insights05:10 Top Episodes Chosen by the Hosts09:00 Listener-Favorite Episodes and Spotify Wrapped Highlights13:00 Episodes That Changed the Way We Think18:00 Food, Agriculture, and Sustainability Beyond Energy23:00 Audience Growth Statistics and What Drove Engagement24:20 Top Episodes for Executives and Senior Leaders30:00 Biggest Listener Takeaways and “Aha” Moments33:30 Global Perspectives and Why Diversity of Voices Matters36:30 Lessons from 2025 and What Comes Next40:30 Final Reflections and Thank You

What if you could see every major greenhouse gas leak on the planet without ever setting foot on site?In this episode, Dave, John, and Lysandra sit down with Stephane Germain, founder and CEO of GHGSat Inc, to break down how satellites are transforming emissions measurement from a guessing game into hard data. Stephane reveals how GHGSat’s technology moves beyond outdated estimates to real, facility-level detection of methane and other greenhouse gases, enabling companies to find leaks, cut losses, and boost profits, all while meeting tightening regulations. Hear how direct measurement is upending old assumptions in oil & gas, waste, and agriculture, why most operators underestimate their emissions, and how better data can unlock both environmental and financial wins.You’ll also hear real-world case studies like the Texas gas plant that tripled its revenue after a “harmless” leak was exposed, and get a blunt take on why the culture shift around emissions is just getting started. Plus: what’s next for space-based monitoring, how regulators use (and don’t use) this data, and why the business case for emissions management is finally too strong to ignore.Chapters:00:00 Welcome and Introduction02:00 The Birth of GHGSat and Measuring from Space05:14 Why Estimates Fail (and How Direct Measurement Works)12:34 Who’s Using the Tech: Oil & Gas, Agriculture, Waste17:05 Real-World Case Studies (and Costly Surprises)22:01 Verification, Accuracy, and Third-Party Testing28:44 What 20 Million Tons Actually Means32:39 The Next Frontier in Satellite Emissions Monitoring33:49 Final Takeaways: Why Data Changes the GameWant to see your emissions from space? Don’t miss this episode.

In this episode of The 360 on Energy and Carbon, Dave Arkell, John Pooley, and Lysandra Naom dig into COP30 in Belém, Brazil, and ask a blunt question: is the COP process still delivering real climate action, or just more diplomatic noise? The team walks through what COP30 actually is, who shows up, and what 55,000 delegates plus 70,000 protesters tell us about the scale, cost, and politics of global climate negotiations.They unpack the tug-of-war over a fossil fuel “roadmap,” why countries most dependent on fossil revenue are resisting prescriptive language, and how that shapes the final text. The conversation also highlights underreported angles from this COP: the exclusion of military emissions from national targets, a new push on gender and inclusion, and mounting concern over weaponized climate disinformation.

Whether you follow every COP decision or just see the occasional headline, this episode gives a clear-eyed, practical view of what COP30 means for climate action, energy costs, and the path forward.

Join hosts Lysandra and John for Part 2 of our conversation with Tamara Muruetagoiena, Vice President of Sustainability at the International Fresh Produce Association.This episode goes deep into the complex, energy-intensive supply chain behind fresh produce, and what it means for sustainability, climate goals, and ESG reporting. Tamara shares insights on Scope 3 emissions, cold chain logistics, energy challenges in controlled-environment agriculture, and where real efficiency gains are being made.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:27 What the Fresh Produce Supply Chain Really Involves02:43 Energy Costs and Cold Chain Challenges04:40 Tackling Scope 3 Emissions: A 3-Pillar Strategy06:00 Carbon Footprint of Refrigeration and Transport08:17 Energy Efficiency Technologies and Emerging Trends09:57 Why Measuring Success in Sustainability Isn’t That Simple11:29 The ESG Debate: Reporting vs. Real Action13:20 Streamlining Sustainability Reporting for Growers16:10 Final Takeaways: Supply Chain Complexity and the Limits of ESGIf you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to move a head of lettuce from a greenhouse to your fridge, this is the episode.

Join Dave, John, and Lysandra as they sit down with Nicole Yazbek-Martin, Head of Taxonomy and Natural Capital at the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute, for a deep dive into Australia's sustainable finance journey. From mining and Indigenous inclusion to insurance risk and ESG reporting, this episode unpacks how Australia built its taxonomy framework, what Canada can learn, and why there’s no such thing as a silver bullet, only silver buckshot.

Nicole shares how clear governance, transparent methodology, and long-term policy sequencing enabled progress, and why every country needs to define its own pathway based on natural resources, Indigenous partnerships, and economic priorities. The conversation also touches on nature-related disclosures, the role of insurance as a systemic risk signal, and how ESG reporting needs to get more decision-useful and less bloated.

This is a must-watch for policymakers, financial institutions, and sustainability professionals navigating the transition.

Welcome to this exciting episode where hosts Dave, Lysandra and John are joined by Luis Chibante, President and CEO of Golden Acre Farms, to discuss the evolving landscape of energy management in greenhouse operations. Luis offers deep insights into how energy costs have shifted over the past decade, the percentage of total operating costs that energy typically represents, and the pros and cons of modern energy efficiencies like LEDs. With a focus on both proactive and reactive energy management strategies, this episode delves into how the greenhouse industry compares to other energy-intensive industries and explores potential future technological advancements. Luis also discusses the role of greenhouses in enhancing food and energy security, particularly in Ontario. The episode wraps up with key takeaways for listeners on the importance of proactive planning and mindset in the ever-changing energy landscape of greenhouse operations.00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:24 Energy Costs in Greenhouse Operations02:20 Efficiency and Technology in Greenhouses07:51 Proactive vs. Reactive Energy Management11:13 Global Perspectives on Energy Management16:25 Sustainability and Food Security20:06 Government Role in Energy Innovation21:19 Overcoming Fear in Decision Making21:38 Proactive Energy Management in Greenhouses22:20 Peak Shaving and Energy Efficiency23:18 Curtains and LED Lighting for Energy Savings25:19 Evolution of Greenhouse Technology26:28 Strategic Energy Planning27:47 Impactful Energy Decisions29:17 Future of Greenhouse Technology31:10 Greenhouses and Energy Security32:30 Collaborating with Government for Energy Efficiency35:08 Balancing Energy Use in Greenhouses39:28 Final Takeaways and Reflections

In this episode, Dave, John, and Lysandra delve into the pressing issue of energy security. They discuss how many organizations and individuals take energy availability for granted, defining energy security as the provision of reliable and affordable energy to continue desired activities. The conversation explores the impacts of energy security on daily life, the influence of global conflicts, and the role of climate change. They also highlight the importance of preparedness, risk assessment, and potential future shifts towards distributed energy infrastructures. Don't miss this insightful discussion on how to proactively manage energy security in a rapidly changing world.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:23 Defining Energy Security

02:59 Global Perspectives on Energy Security

05:03 Energy Security Challenges in North America05:31 Strategic Importance of Energy

06:35 Impact of Climate Change on Energy Security

08:06 Energy Security in the Modern World

24:53 Cybersecurity and Energy

29:54 Steps to Protect Against Energy Disruptions

33:47 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Join hosts Dave and John as they welcome back Henning Stein, Practice Head of Energy, Climate, and Resources at Eurasia Group, for an in-depth discussion on Europe's electric transformation. This episode covers Europe's progress in green transition, the challenges posed by energy security, the impact of geopolitical dynamics, and the future of European industries amidst the transition. Henning also highlights the importance of the next two years in ensuring the success of the green transformation and the potential consequences of a fragmented European energy policy.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:13 Europe's Electric Transformation

04:22 Geopolitics and Energy Security

11:16 Challenges in Energy Infrastructure

19:21 Industrial Competitiveness in Europe

23:51 Policy Fragmentation and Investment Flows

26:15 Final Thoughts and Takeaways