What is the energetic consequence of a simple ‘like’ on social media? Or a zoom call? Modern technology is underpinned by a very real material and energetic infrastructure that is putting immense strain on energy production and the world’s natural resources. 5G and AI have supercharged this consumption. Yet, technology companies have been successful in creating a “dematerialized” perception. The energy transition and sustainability emphasis has focused largely on the energy & commodities world while tech is seen by many as clean and green. It is not. This is the story our guest,  investigative journalist and author, Guillaume Pitron has told in his book “The Dark Cloud” published in English this year by Scribe.

The Dark Cloud: The hidden costs of a digital world with Guillaume Pitron

For related content and to find out more about HC Group, a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities sector, visit https://www.hcgroup.global

Each day, around the world, we have fascinating one-on-one conversations with our connections in the commodities sector. Our collaborators are uniquely informed, creative and inspirational in their fields. We want to provide our community a seat alongside us, listening in to these conversations in that special way podcasting provides as we tackle topical and people related issues with the leaders and leading minds in our sector. Visit www.hcgroup.global more information on us and our services.

To connect with our host Paul Chapman, you can find him at www.linkedin.com/in/paulchapmanhc/

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In a deglobalizing and volatile world, sanctions can upend commodity markets overnight. Commodities underpin global trade and are often themselves direct targets of sanctions or swept up in restrictions imposed on trade infrastructure, such as finance and shipping. In this episode, we do a deep dive on the suite of Russian sanctions imposed since the invasion of Ukraine. How do sanctions work? How are they imposed and by whom? What are the specific Russia related sanctions and what are their consequences for the commodities sector? And how should companies prepare for and manage them? Our guest is Sarah Hunt, commodity trade and sanctions specialist lawyer at HFW.

Russian Sanctions with Sarah Hunt

In this episode, we are diving into the Japanese power market, which by virtue of its size, generation mix and recent liberalization, is fast becoming one of the most active power markets in the world, attracting a host of domestic and international energy merchants. What is the regulation that underpins the market? How does it function and who are the participants? Who is, and where do you get, the talent to build such a capability. Our guest is Xavier Veillard, Partner at Mckinsey, heading their global power and gas commodities offering.

The Japanese Power Market with Xavier Veillard

Western Governments have enacted a slew of policies to support energy security and its transition to a greener future. These policies can radically shift the economic landscape for the commodity sector participants. However, the reality of implementing these policies, from the power lines needed to the mines for critical metals, requires navigating byzantine levels of planning and approval. What does this mean for the West’s ability to compete in the energy transition. What does this mean for commodity traders who have historically eschewed close governmental relations? Why does that need to change? Our guest is Peter Stahley, Senior VP at Cassidy & Associates, a governmental relations service.

Governmental Relations, Planning and Policy with Peter Stahley

In this special episode, Bill Read, CEO of Enco Insights returns to update us on the key trends the business is seeing in the energy and resources sector and how this business is going as it reaches the six month mark. Enco Insights is a global expert network dedicated to the energy & resource sector, providing clients with access to experts from across the sector for short term engagements. As a sister company of HC Group it leverages 20 years worth of connections and expertise in the sector.

Special: Enco Insights at 6 months with Bill Read

In this episode, to celebrate 200 episodes and a name change, our host Paul Chapman reflects on the podcast, its goals and development and the back catalogue.  A body of work, still highly relevant, that has traced the trends, participants and individual commodities (some old and some new), through one of the most interesting periods in the sector’s long history.

The Dark Cloud: The hidden costs of a digital world with Guillaume Pitron

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