Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations

Our first UK party conference, in Liverpool.

Can the UK reclaim leadership in climate technology, sustainability, and innovation?

Our guests included:

* Andrew Pakes, MP for Peterborough

* Christian Hernandez, Founder, 2150.vc

* Buffy Price, Co-founder and CEO, Carbon Re

* Orla Shields, CEO and Founder, Kamma

* Anna Bazely, Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs, Enoda

* Paul McNamee, Director and Founder, Labour Climate and Environment Forum (LCEF)

Key Discussion Points:

* The Role of Private Sector Innovation in DecarbonizationChristian Hernandez from 2150 highlights the critical role private sector investors and startups play in accelerating climate solutions. He emphasizes the importance of deploying existing, scalable technologies—like heat pumps and energy-efficient infrastructure—while addressing the challenges of turning first-of-its-kind innovations into mainstream solutions. Hernandez also discusses the "time value of carbon," stressing that immediate action will have compounding benefits in the years ahead.

* Public Policy and the Climate AgendaAndrew Pakes, MP for Peterborough, discusses the Labour Party’s focus on green jobs, skills development, and the importance of ensuring that climate action benefits working-class communities. He calls for a "people plan" alongside climate policies, ensuring that new technologies and innovations also create opportunities for workers through skills training and apprenticeships. Pakes advocates for pragmatic policies that deliver visible improvements in communities, from retrofitting homes to revitalizing local economies.

* AI and Decarbonizing IndustryBuffy Price, co-founder of Carbon Re, explains how artificial intelligence can be used to reduce emissions in high-carbon industries like cement. She challenges the over-reliance on long-term solutions like carbon capture and storage, arguing for immediate, scalable technologies that can drive emissions reductions now. Her approach focuses on process efficiencies that can deliver significant carbon savings without the need for costly infrastructure overhauls.

* The Built Environment and Housing CrisisOrla Shields, CEO of Kamma, discusses the complexities of decarbonizing the UK’s housing stock and the potential of using data to better understand and improve energy efficiency in buildings. She underscores the need for reform in how mortgage lenders incentivize retrofitting and the critical role of both public and private sector collaboration in making housing more sustainable. Shields emphasizes that green mortgages and intelligent data can play a crucial role in creating a more energy-efficient built environment.

* Energy Infrastructure and Grid ResilienceAnna Bazely from Enoda speaks to the importance of modernizing the UK’s energy infrastructure to handle the growing demand for renewable energy. She highlights the need for grid-enhancing technologies and regulatory reforms that encourage innovation.

* The Politics of Climate ActionPaul McNamee, head of the Labour Climate and Environment Forum, offers a broader perspective on how Labour can maintain momentum in driving climate policy forward. He speaks to the importance of balancing long-term goals with short-term political realities and the need for effective communication to ensure the public sees the tangible benefits of climate action

Connect

* Twitter: @rdelevan

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richarddelevan/

* Email: [email protected]

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Host Richard Delevan interviews author Peter Schwartzstein, whose experiences give him a unique authority to explore how difficult it is to cover “climate security” from the front lines.

Climate and Violence

Many associate climate-related violence with regions like Syria. Schwartzstein explains that while climate change didn’t directly cause the Syrian civil war, it played a critical role in weakening the societal fabric. Severe droughts exacerbated poverty and rural migration, fostering instability and making communities more susceptible to revolutionary movements.

The West and Climate-Related Violence

The developed world won’t remain untouched by climate-induced violence for long. The infrastructure, even in advanced economies, is struggling under the strain of extreme weather events.

Catalysts:

• The Heat and the Fury: Reporting from the Front Lines of Climate Violence by Peter Schwartzstein.
• The Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
• A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzhenitsyn
• A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century by Barbara Tuchman
• The Earth Transformed by Peter Frankopan

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Simon Sharpe and host Richard Delevan unpack key themes from Five Times Faster, focusing on the central question: why are we moving so slowly, and how can we accelerate decarbonisation? Sharpe shares how his time as a climate diplomat—particularly during the UK’s presidency of COP26—crystallized his understanding that we need to think faster and act faster if we are to keep the 1.5-degree target within reach. It’s not just about hitting the right targets, but about focusing on actions that matter across multiple sectors.

Simon provides an engaging exploration of the economic models that are holding us back, taking us through "equilibrium economics" and how this outdated framework limits our ability to respond dynamically to a rapidly evolving global crisis. His argument for moving from static, reductionist thinking to a systems-based, more biological understanding of economics brings a fresh perspective on how to build a more resilient future.

Simon Sharpe's Catalysts for Change:

At the end of the episode, Richard asks Simon what he’s looking for in the coming year that will signal real progress on the climate front. Simon points to three key "catalysts" that could accelerate the pace of decarbonization:

1. Global Power Sector Emissions Begin to Decline: Simon explains that while clean energy capacity is growing fast, it’s only when clean power generation outpaces the rise in energy demand that we’ll see global power sector emissions start to drop. He anticipates that this shift could happen soon, marking the first real sign of global emissions falling in a key sector.
2. Electric Vehicle Momentum Continues: Despite some backlash and misinformation in the media, Simon is optimistic that the global transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is still moving forward. He notes that in key markets like the UK and Europe, EV sales are growing, while sales of petrol cars are in decline. He’s watching for continued investment in battery manufacturing and vehicle production, particularly from China, to sustain this momentum.
3. Zero-Emission Steel Production Gains Ground: Simon highlights the steel industry as the next major frontier for decarbonization. He believes the first commercial-scale investments in zero-emission steel production are within reach, and expects to see significant policy support from countries like the US and EU to drive this transition.

Resources Mentioned:

• Simon Sharpe's book: Five Times Faster
• The Breakthrough Agenda Report by the International Energy Agency
• Greg Nimitz’s book: How Solar Energy Became Cheap
• Simon Sharpe's upcoming NGO: S Curve Economics

Connect with Us:

• Website: Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations
• Twitter: @rdelevan
• Follow Simon Sharpe on FiveTimesFaster.org

AD - Friend of the Show Ben Cooke is organising the 2024 Times Earth Summit will be set against a backdrop of the biggest election year in history.

Book tickets here, and join experts to drill down into the government's environmental commitments, asking whether they are ambitious enough to meet climate goals.

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UK Government's Bold Climate Goals: Renewable Energy and Policy Review

In this episode of Wicked Problems, host Richard Delavan discusses British energy policy and climate strategy with notable guests Adam Bell, Director of Policy at Stonehaven UK, and Trevor Hutchings, CEO of the Renewable Energy Association (REA). They explore the UK government's ambitious plans for ramping up renewable energy, infrastructure investments, and the strategic choices surrounding emerging technology and planning reforms. Bell and Hutchings offer insights into the new roles of the Crown Estate, planning process acceleration, potential investments in offshore wind, hydrogen, and small nuclear projects, as well as the importance of robust cross-departmental government collaboration and innovative industry leadership. Additionally, Hutchings emphasizes the significance of consumer engagement, skills development, and the broader economic implications of the renewable energy transition.

00:43 Intro

01:57 Adam Bell, director of policy at Stonehaven UK

16:17 Trevor Hutchings, REA on the race for Clean Power 2030

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Navigating Sustainability in Travel and Politics

In this episode of Wicked Problems, host Richard Delevan discusses the intersection of politics, travel, and sustainability. Delayed by recent significant events, the episode reflects on potential political shifts with Kamala Harris possibly picking a new VP nominee and the implications of such a move. Richard interviews Justin Reid from TripAdvisor about sustainable travel trends and consumer behavior, discussing the balance between enjoying travel and minimizing environmental impact. The episode also highlights significant political developments, including Joe Biden stepping down and JD Vance's nomination as the Republican VP candidate. The show notes an upcoming live event at the Labour Party Conference and looks ahead at future episodes on climate tech companies in Texas. Visit wickedproblems.earth to find out more!

0:00 Sustainable Travel with TripAdvisor's Justin Reid and

28:09 Can Andy Beshear save the IRA?

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Attempted Assassination at Trump Rally: A Reporter’s Eyewitness Account

This video script details a harrowing recount of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania. The narrative follows Greg Walton, a foreign correspondent for Agence France-Presse, providing a firsthand account of the chaotic and tragic event. Walton describes the moment shots were fired, the crowd's reaction, and the subsequent confusion and blame directed toward the media. The script also touches on broader political implications, climate tech discussions overshadowed by the incident, and Walton's perspective on covering such events as a foreign correspondent.

00:00 Introduction and Initial Setup

00:44 Breaking News: Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump

01:35 On the Scene: Greg Walton's Eyewitness Account

07:37 The Crowd's Reaction and Media's Role

18:46 Security Concerns and Secret Service Response

22:01 Suspect Profile and Investigation

24:24 Implications for the Election and Climate Policy

30:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode of Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations, host Richard Delevan sits down with Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe, to delve into the transformative potential and current challenges of solar power in Europe. The conversation spans the explosive growth of solar installations, the strategic goals of SolarPower Europe, and the imperative need for a flexibility revolution in energy systems.

Solar Power Growth and Impact: The discussion begins with an exploration of the remarkable growth in solar installations in Europe, with over 100 gigawatts added in the last two years alone. Walburga explains the multifaceted factors driving this growth, including plummeting costs of solar modules and the versatile applications of solar technology, from large-scale plants to residential rooftops and even agricultural settings.

Manufacturing and Innovation: Richard and Walburga address the challenges and opportunities in solar manufacturing. While Europe has lost its leadership in manufacturing to Asia, there is a concerted effort to regain this position through innovation and strategic investments. Walburga discusses the importance of scaling up manufacturing and the need for supportive policies and financing to achieve this goal.

Flexibility Revolution: A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the need for a flexibility revolution in the energy system. Walburga stresses the importance of integrating demand-side and supply-side flexibility to manage the intermittency of solar power and prevent energy waste. This includes electrification of various sectors, enhanced grid connectivity, and substantial investments in storage solutions like batteries and hydrogen.

Policy and Regulation: The discussion also touches on the critical role of policy and regulation in facilitating the growth of solar power. Walburga highlights the need for targeted incentives, digitalization of processes, and harmonized standards across Europe. She emphasizes the importance of eliminating barriers such as double grid charges and enabling co-location of different renewable technologies to maximize efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Challenges and Misinformation: Richard and Walburga address common misconceptions and misinformation about solar power, such as concerns about land use for solar farms. Walburga provides data to counter these arguments, demonstrating the minimal land impact of solar installations compared to other uses like golf courses. They also discuss the broader societal benefits of solar power, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy costs, and increased competitiveness for European industries.

Future Outlook: Looking ahead, Walburga expresses optimism about the future of solar power in Europe, provided that the necessary investments and regulatory frameworks are put in place. She underscores the urgency of accelerating electrification and flexibility to meet climate goals and ensure energy security.

Conclusion: The episode concludes with a reaffirmation of the critical role solar power plays in the energy transition. Richard thanks Walburga for her insights and encourages listeners to engage with the SolarPower Europe’s Solar Mission 2040 report, which outlines the path to a sustainable and resilient energy future.

Links and Resources:

• Solar Mission 2040 Report
• Walburga Hemetsberger on LinkedIn

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• Adam Bell, Director of Policy at Stonehaven
• Megan Kenyon, Policy Correspondent at The New Statesman
• Sugandha Srivastav, British Academy Fellow and Lecturer in Environmental Economics at the Smith School, Oxford University
• 
  

One week after Labour’s sweeping victory, we ask three of the smartest observers of UK climate and climate tech policy about early moves like the hiring of Chris Stark, the removal of the offshore wind ban, and picking a fight with NIMBYs - some of whom may turn out to be people who otherwise argue for faster climate action in the Greens and Lib Dems. Can they keep up the pace? 

UK's New Climate Policies:

• Adam Bell discusses the recent swift actions by the new UK government, such as lifting the ban on onshore wind. He highlights the necessity of equitable climate policies to avoid creating "low carbon haves and have-nots" and the potential for backlash if climate benefits are not widely shared​

Challenges and Strategies in Climate Communication:

• Adam Bell emphasizes the importance of innovative communication strategies to garner local support for climate projects. He suggests that community-specific benefits, such as cash payments or co-ownership, might be necessary to gain broader acceptance of renewable infrastructure projects like pylons and wind turbines​(Meeting with Richard De…)​.

Policy Insights and Green Economy Reporting:

• Megan Kenyon shares insights from her reporting on the green economy, including the rapid policy shifts following the UK election. She mentions the importance of engaging the community in the planning and implementation of climate projects to ensure their success and sustainability​

Global Climate Action and Economic Implications:

• Sugandha Srivastav discusses the broader global context, focusing on emerging markets like India and their significant impact on global emissions.

Innovative Approaches to Climate Policy:

• Sugandha highlights the importance of using the latest and most efficient technologies in the energy transition and the economic advantages of renewable energy over fossil fuels. She underscores the need for public investment in areas that provide significant societal benefits, drawing parallels with the rapid development of the COVID-19 vaccine​

• Adam Bell's Upcoming Paper: Adam mentions an upcoming paper that outlines strategies for achieving the UK's 2030 climate goals. Keep an eye out for this report for detailed policy recommendations​ at Stonehaven
• Megan Kenyon's Green Economy Reporting: Subscribe to The New Statesman's "Green Transition" newsletter for in-depth analysis and updates on the green economy.
• Sugandha Srivastav's Work on Renewable Energy: Check out Sugandha's TEDx talk and her article in The Conversation about the potential of renewable energy and the economic implications of transitioning from fossil fuels. 

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As Running Tide folds and Microsoft and Google scramble to figure out how to make up for rising emissions from AI and data centres, what’s next for the carbon removals market?

Recovering lawyer John Lin and Dr. Amber Janda, co-founders of Tau Carbon, join us to discuss. They discuss their journey from academics and different career paths to establishing a company focused on carbon removal using innovative biomass storage solutions. The conversation explores the inspiration behind their venture, the technical and logistical challenges they faced, and the implications of carbon market dynamics. Highlighting the importance of low-cost, scalable solutions, Tau Carbon aims to preserve biomass in an above-ground system to efficiently capture and retain CO2. The co-founders also reflect on the competitive landscape, referencing similar startups like Graphyte, and discuss policy needs to support broader adoption of carbon removal technologies.

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00:00 Introduction to Wicked Problems

00:14 Inspiration and Challenges in Climate Tech

01:24 UK Climate Politics and Global Tech Reactions

03:18 Introduction to Tau Carbon

04:34 John's Journey from Law to Climate Tech

06:48 Amber's Path in Chemical Engineering

09:58 The Genesis of Tau Carbon

14:37 Challenges and Evolution in Carbon Removal

20:00 Business Viability and Market Challenges

25:11 Reacting to Running Tide's Unexpected Exit

25:57 Challenges in Carbon Credit Market

27:23 Measurability and MRV in Carbon Removal

28:04 Technical Aspects of Carbon Storage

31:39 Comparing Approaches: Tau vs. Graphyte

37:08 Policy and Market Dynamics in CDR

42:35 Future Prospects and Final Thoughts

Catalysts for John and Amber

* Greta Thunberg - John was deeply inspired by Greta Thunberg’s activism, which galvanized people worldwide to take action on climate change. Her ability to mobilize masses highlighted the power of collective action.

More about Greta Thunberg

* "An Inconvenient Truth" by Al Gore - Both John and Amber cited this seminal documentary as a major influence. It played a pivotal role in raising awareness about the urgency of climate change and inspired them to pursue solutions in this field.

Watch "An Inconvenient Truth" on Amazon

* "Good Night, and Good Luck" (2005) - Amber mentioned this film about Edward R. Murrow's battle against Senator McCarthy as influential. It underscored the importance of using one's skills and platforms for the greater good.

Watch "Good Night, and Good Luck" on Amazon

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In this Election Night special, we delve into the UK's political landscape surrounding the recent general election and its implications for climate action. The discussion highlights David Cameron's earlier attempts to position the Conservative Party as leaders in climate action, the feasibility of the UK's 2050 net zero emissions target, and Labour's policy proposals including GB Energy and potential carbon taxes. Featuring perspectives on regional economic disparities, business innovation, and public sentiment, the conversation includes reactions from our friends in Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Greens and climate activists to the exit polls. The Labour Party's strong performance sparks varied opinions on their environmental policies, the potential right-wing populist backlash, and Labour's capacity to meet climate promises. Additionally, the role of comedy in political discourse and anticipated shifts in climate policy under new governance are discussed, culminating in a musical guest performance.

0:00 How Did David Cameron's Polar Pledges Pan Out-

00:05 David Cameron's Green Vision

00:42 Announcing Net Zero by 2050

01:55 Debating the Net Zero Target

02:27 Conservative Party's Climate Stance

03:11 Public and Personal Perspectives on Climate

03:29 Controversies and Policy Shifts

05:12 Technical Difficulties and Guest Introductions

05:49 Election Day Insights

06:02 Campaign Reflections and Future Policies

07:12 Dissonance Between Narrative and Reality

08:41 Climate Politics and Election Predictions

24:10 Regional Impacts and Industrial Policy

25:44 Northern Ireland's Climate Challenges

29:27 Policy Consistency and Business Collaboration

37:53 Carbon Markets and Regenerative Agriculture

44:49 UK's Leadership in Carbon Policy

46:04 Challenges for Startups in the UK

48:28 Introducing Andy Williams from Penta Group

49:35 Labour Party's Unity and Policy Challenges

50:34 Labour's Approach to Industrial Action

52:12 GB Energy and Labour's Economic Policies

54:17 Rupert Reed's Election Predictions

55:55 Labour's Tax Policies and Carbon Tax Discussion

57:11 Climate Tech and Public Finance

58:02 Exit Poll Results and Political Reactions

01:06:18 Lib Dems' Environmental Policies

01:09:27 Labour's Majority and Future Challenges

01:21:59 International Perspectives on UK Elections

01:23:05 European Climate Politics and Populism

01:24:00 Challenges in Climate Policy Implementation

01:26:28 The Role of Labour and Greens in Climate Action

01:30:22 US Climate Policy and State-Level Initiatives

01:33:26 Comedy and Climate Change

01:35:00 Local Political Engagement and Progressive Alliances

01:36:22 The Future of Climate Policy and Political Satire

01:47:25 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

01:53:08 Musical Performance by Sunsharmer

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