Invested In Climate

In this Deep Dive series on Climate Philanthropy, I'm exploring the wide range of ways that foundations are stepping up to support climate progress, especially amid federal rollbacks and inconsistent commitments from large companies. Philanthropic capital is tiny in comparison to government and corporate budgets, but it can still be a helpful tool – especially if wielded strategically. Let's set some context: In the United States, there are over 30,000 environmental nonprofits. It's a wildly diverse field with organizations of all sizes and countless focus areas. Since the 1970s, they've saved millions of lives through environmental protections that have cleaned our air, water, land, buildings, factories, and products. Many are struggling with funding cuts and staff shortages, and too often they compete for attention and resources.Foundations provide funding to these organizations, but they can also play a more fundamental role: building movement infrastructure that bolsters the power and influence of the entire field. That, argues Pisces Foundation President David Beckman, is a priority that deserves more attention and support. David is a friend whom I've had the pleasure of working with over the years. When it comes to investing in movement infrastructure, I can't think of anyone else who brings the nuance and insight David has gained through a career-long focus on advancing the environmental movement. We talk about his background as an National Resources Defense Council attorney, his role in helping start the Pisces Foundation, the entreprenuerial nature of his work, what movement infrastructure is, what he's learned about investing in it, the importance of late night cookies in building relationships, the need for a meta narrative, the work of the Pisces Foundation, super pollutants, what business people and young people should know about the environmental movement, and much more. On today's episode, we cover:[03:49] David's Background and Career Path[05:37] Founding of Pisces Foundation[07:56] State of the Environmental Movement[09:41] Strategic Posture and Movement Influence[11:44] Collective Work and Movement Infrastructure[15:08] Social Entrepreneurship in Philanthropy[17:29] Collaborative Field Building Insights[19:49] Late Night Cookies and Building Relationships[22:31] Meta Narrative in Environmental Movement[25:32] Discussion on Environmental Regulations[28:25] Pisces Foundation's Strategic Evolution[31:33] Super Pollutants Overview[33:40] Impact of DC Politics on Philanthropy[35:48] Advice for Business Community[37:13] Advice for Young People[39:04] Current InspirationsResources MentionedPisces FoundationNational Resources Defense CouncilSierra ClubBlue Sky Funders ForumMosaic Funders CollaborativeHewlett Foundation“Abundance” by Ezra Klein and Derek ThompsonU.S. Environmental Protection Agency

In the second installment of our Deep Dive: Missing Middle in Climate Tech series, created in partnership with Spring Lane Capital, we dive deeper into why the “missing middle” is not just a gap; it's a structural issue. We're joined by two of the sharpest minds in climate investing: Francis O'Sullivan, Managing Director at S2G Investments, and Rob Day, Co-Founder of Spring Lane Capital. Together, they explore how early-stage innovation and late-stage deployment are well funded, while the crucial middle phase of scaling is dangerously underserved.We discuss why this gap exists, what solutions are emerging, and how investors are shifting their strategies to meet the moment. If you care about accelerating the climate transition, you're going to want to listen to this.What You'll LearnWhy the "missing middle" persists despite surging climate capital overallHow venture capital models can distort scale-up potentialWhat new capital strategies (like development expense financing) are emergingWhy climate investing now enters a “third phase” of full-scale deploymentHow Rob and Francis are rethinking returns and risk for the climate transitionIn today's episode, we cover:[2:50] Francis' background and journey to S2G[4:36] Rob's career path in climate tech investing[6:30] Spring Lane Capital's founding and investment thesis[9:54] Discussion of the missing middle in climate finance[19:04] Structural challenges in climate investment[25:46] Organizational challenges for institutional investors[33:57] Concrete investment examples[41:37] Explanation of structured investment instruments[44:26] Historical context of climate investingResources MentionedS2G InvestmentsSpring Lane CapitalWorld Resources InstituteInvested in Climate - Missing Middle in Climate Tech Series: The Role of Family Offices with Spring Lane Capital & CREO, Ep #114S2G: 2023 Report - The Missing Middle: Capital Imbalances in the Energy TransitionCREO: 2024 Report - Understanding the Climate Finance GapSolunaConnect with UsJason RissmanRob DayFrancis O'SullivanSpring Lane CapitalWebsite: https://springlanecapital.com/Linkedin:

The climate transition requires not just allocating trillions of dollars to scale new technologies, build new infrastructure, and transform incumbent industries – it requires getting the right mix of capital to develop, grow, and eventually scale innovations. In the world of climate, promising technologies too often don't find the growth-stage capital that's needed before large institutional investors can finance reaching scale. Addressing this missing middle is a structural challenge that requires more attention, and today's episode is the first in a series of discussions on the missing middle in climate, developed in partnership with Spring Lane Capital. In this conversation, I'm joined by Jason Scott, a long-time climate investor who is Partner in Residence at Spring Lane Capital and also Board Chair of CREO Syndicate, and Régine Clément, CEO at CREO Syndicate. Spring Lane has been investing for years in the missing middle and has unique expertise in the challenges and opportunities it holds. If you haven't heard of CREO, this is a group you should know. CREO works to help family offices invest more in climate. Families hold over $10 trillion in assets and can bring versatility and resilience that can help improve climate finance. CREO is working to mobilize $1 trillion for climate in the coming years. We talk about insights from their recent report on the missing middle, how climate investing has evolved in recent years, the role of catalytic capital, whether investors are backing away from climate amidst changing policy and macro-factors, and much more.This was a great kick-off for our Deep Dive: Missing Middle in Climate Tech series, and I hope it piques your interest in the other episodes as well. And, if it piques your interest about partnering on a topical series of your own, don't hesitate to reach out. What You'll LearnWhat the "missing middle" is and why it's crucial for climate progressHow climate financing has evolved over the past decade and what gaps remainThe unique role family offices play in addressing climate investment gapsWhy growth-stage capital is especially scarce despite strong returns in climate investingHow policy uncertainty and structural market issues impact climate financeStrategic approaches to mobilize trillions for climate solutions by 2030In today's episode, we cover:03:12 - Régine's background and CREO Syndicate's work06:08 - Jason's background and Spring Lane Capital's work08:22 - Defining the "missing middle" in climate finance13:19 - Analysis of climate investment trends and current market dynamics17:43 - The 6x financing gap needed to reach climate goals by 203019:57 - Why the missing middle in climate is more complex than in other sectors24:49 - Structural challenges with fund sizes and misaligned investor incentives30:33 - The surprising finding that only 18% of self-proclaimed climate funds invest >50% in climate34:05 - Perspective on progress despite policy uncertainty and market fluctuations37:47 - The economic case for climate investing beyond environmental benefits41:27 - The unique role of family offices in catalyzing climate capitalResources Mentioned

The voluntary carbon markets have been a source of curiosity for me. There's been a lot of hope that the market would mature and offer a reliable way to offset emissions that otherwise could not be eliminated. Reliability has been the problem, however. Not knowing which carbon reduction projects are additive and truly remove or reduce carbon has held this market back, and I've been excited to learn about how new technologies will enable the reliability that's needed. There are many people working on this problem. Dr. Allister Furey, Founder and CEO of Sylvera is one, and I was excited to learn about his company's approach to removing carbon market bottlenecks and accelerating the investment in carbon projects. As he says it's a mix of software, data, AI, and analysis that have helped Sylvera work with large clients and unlock enormous investments. Hope you learn as much as I did. Enjoy.On today's episode, we cover:[03:37] Allister's background and entrepreneurial journey[05:54] Sylvera's founding and initial business concept[10:42] Exploration of the desert greening concept[11:27] Sylvera's current business offerings[17:10] Sylvera's progress, reach, and client base[20:24] Corporate climate commitment trends[22:44] Corporate demand for carbon projects[26:12] Policy market expectations[29:07] Climate investor sentiment[30:33] Future outlook for carbon marketsResources Mentioned Sylvera Connect on LinkedInAllister FureyJason RissmanKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramBlueskyHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

Non-dilutive funding isn't just about landing the grant; it's about delivering on it with excellence. In the third episode of our Deep Dive Series with Climate Finance Solutions, we go beyond the application and explore what happens after the award. Our guest host Joel Armin-Hoiland, Founder & CEO of Climate Finance Solutions, is joined by two experts who live and breathe this work: Susan Perri, Director of Grants at Climate Finance Solutions, and Jeff Haydock, CEO of ecoCFO.Together, they unpack the essential strategies behind post-award grant management from navigating audits to implementing smart financial systems, crafting efficient technical reports, and making strategic choices long before the application is even submitted. The episode offers real-world insights into federal grant reporting, shifting expectations with the new administration, and how startups can build internal or external capacity to manage complexity without losing focus.If you're building a climate company and want to stay ahead of the curve on grants, this episode is for you.On today's episode, we cover:[02:00] Introductions of Jeff and Susan[04:00] Susan's background[05:29] Jeff's background[09:38] Susan's role at Climate Finance Solutions[11:18] Post-award management best practices[14:10] Strategic elements of grant applications[16:26] Financial preparation for grant reporting[20:31] Insights on grant audits[24:14] Overview of technical reporting [27:34] Strategies for making post-award reporting easier[34:18] When to hire consultants for grant management[39:11] How to ensure smooth collaboration with consultants[41:13] Changes in federal grants under the new Administration[45:22] Alternative grant funding sources[48:24] Closing thoughts and sources of hopeResources MentionedClimate Finance SolutionsecoCFOConnect on LinkedInJoel Armin-HoilandSusan PerriJeff HaydockJason RissmanKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramBlueskyHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

It's not yet clear exactly how devasting the loss of federal funding for climate nonprofits and climate tech companies will be, but we know the toll will be high. Beyond the funding freeze, there have also been rumors of other federal action targeting nonprofits in this space. No one knows exactly what will happen, but it's clear that philanthropy is more important than ever. Philanthropy alone can't fill the gap left by the government, but it can make a real difference.This episode is the first in a series of conversations we'll have this year focused on climate philanthropy. We're starting with not only one of the biggest climate foundations in the U.S., but also one that combines philanthropy with investments designed to catalyze more capital flows to climate. The MacArthur Foundation has long been a leader in using this impact investing approach to improve the ROI for investors seeking market-rate returns. In today's conversation, we're joined by MacArthur Foundation's Director of Impact Investments John Balbach and Program Officer Deborah Philbrick. We spoke about the Foundation's holistic, problem-first approach to climate, what that means for both their philanthropic funding and impact investing, how they're stepping up to what they see as a civil society crisis, and much more. Lots to learn and think about in this one. Let me know if you have ideas about other foundations to feature in this series. Here we go. On today's episode, we cover:[02:36] Introductions of John and Deborah[04:21] Overview of MacArthur Foundation's Climate Work[05:52] Climate Solutions Big Bet Details[07:02] Philanthropic Strategy and Theory of Change[08:15] Grantee Examples[10:37] Impact of Federal Funding Freeze[12:55] Strategic Shifts and Foundation's Role[15:57] Climate Philanthropy Landscape[17:04] Sub-national Climate Priorities[18:19] MacArthur's Impact Investing History[20:36] Risk and Return Approach[22:45] Impact Assessment Methodology[25:11] Catalytic Capital Strategies[28:01] Investment Thesis[31:20] Administration's Impact on Investments[33:30] Systemic Transformation DiscussionResources MentionedMacArthur FoundationMacArthur Fellows ProgramMacArthur Foundation: Climate Solutions Big BetJust Transition FundLeague of Conservation Voters Education FundAzolla VenturesEncourage Solar FinanceSunwealthMacArthur Foundation: How We Leverage the ‘Full Continuum' of Capital to Address the Climate CrisisMacArthur Foundation: Aligning Our...

Non-dilutive funding is a critical part of the capital stack for climate startups. Changes in Washington have made this landscape all the more challenging to navigate. To improve understanding of the opportunities in this space, Invested in Climate is partnering with Climate Finance Solutions on a series of podcast episodes. As our first deep dive in this series, Climate Finance Solutions Founder & CEO Joel Armin-Hoiland joined as a guest host and interviewed Tinia Pina, CEO of Re-Nuble and Dimitry Gershenson, CEO of Enduring Planet. They've both unlocked millions in non-dilutive capital to accelerate climate progress and share insights that'll help founders, investors, donors, and anyone else interested in understanding the rapidly changing world of non-dilutive climate funding.On today's episode, we cover:[1:00] Introducing the series on non-dilutive funding[4:30] Tania Pina introduces Re-Nuble and her background[6:20] Dimitry Gershenson introduces Enduring Planet[9:30] Discussion on strategic considerations for grant funding[17:10] Challenges of grant funding process[22:30] Benefits of working with grant consultants[25:45] Discussion on values-driven business[31:10] Customer-centered service in climate finance[37:15] Impact of federal administration on climate grants[42:30] Closing thoughts and sources of hopeResources MentionedClimate Finance Solutions Re-NubleEnduring PlanetConnect on LinkedInJoel Armin-HoilandDimitry GershensonTinia PinaJason RissmanKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramBlueskyHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

I'll admit that until recently I knew and thought very little about the potential of Earth observation. It turns out, there's a huge opportunity here. A report by the World Economic Forum recently estimated there's almost $4 trillion of potential economic benefit from making better use of the increasingly affordable opportunity to collect and analyze data about our planet. And, the benefit is not just unlocking enormous economic value. Earth observation can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than two gigatons annually through tracking forests, managing wetlands, improving agriculture, and much, much more.To learn about this opportunity, I was pleased to sit down with Dan Hammer. Dan is a truly unique entrepreneur who's not only able to maintain a systems view of the opportunities around Earth observation but who's also building a portfolio of organizations to push this ecosystem forward. Between the non-profit Clay, the design and development agency Ode, and Earth observation startup LGND, Dan has his hands full in the quest to use Earth observation to make nature data as ubiquitous and useful as Google Maps. Lots to learn and think about in this episode. Enjoy!On today's episode, we cover:[03:46] Dan's background & commitment to environmental work[08:04] An explanation of Earth observation[09:15] Scale of Earth observation satellites[09:58] Economic potential of Earth observation[12:23] Specific use cases for Earth observation[14:02] Outcomes and impact of Earth observation[17:11] Potential applications of Earth observation[19:17] Introduction to Clay [22:28] Cost reduction in Earth observation technology[25:31] Discussion of AI energy demands[26:55] Introduction to LGND[31:20] Go-to-market strategy for LGND[32:41] Discussion of ODE design agency[35:11] Vision for Earth observation in 5-10 years[36:50] What else is needed to advance Earth observation technologyResources MentionedClayOdeLGNDGlobal Forest WatchGoogle Earth EnginePritzker Emerging Environmental Genius AwardWorld Economic Forum: Earth ObservationEarth GenomeThe Nature ConservancyMoore FoundationCenter for Global DevelopmentSchmidt FuturesGrantham FoundationRadiant Earth

I'm fascinated by the question of how we can improve climate and environmental storytelling. There's research that shows that 45% of young people in the United States experience climate anxiety so bad that it negatively affects their daily functioning. As we learned during a conversation with Nathaniel Stinnett of the Environmental Voter Project last fall, over 5 million Americans list climate and the environment as their #1 top issue, but don't actually vote. To me, these are indicators that we need new kinds of storytelling and new ways to experience the climate transition.To learn about the state of environmental and climate storytelling, I sat down with one of the leading funders of environmental films, Jill Tidman, Executive Director of The Redford Center. Jill brings decades of storytelling experience and understands the challenges of not only getting environmental films distributed but also creating impact through them. We spoke about how the film distribution and funding landscapes have changed, the history of the Redford Center, its impact framework, examples of films and impact campaigns they've supported, and much more. If you're a film fan, just generally curious about the role of documentaries in creating change, or like me, want to understand how we can improve storytelling for climate, there's a lot to learn from this conversation. Enjoy. On today's episode, we cover:[03:37] Importance of storytelling in environmental issues[07:26] History of the Redford Center[10:33] Evolution of filmmaker support[15:23] Approaches to climate storytelling[18:35] Changes in film distribution[21:05] Criteria for selecting film projects[23:20] Redford Center's impact framework[26:29] Example of community engagement film[30:28] Impact and wins of supported projects[34:02] Indigenous voices and conservation efforts[39:13] Future plans for the Redford Center[42:45] Addressing polarization through storytellingResources MentionedThe Redford CenterFighting GoliathNew York Community TrustKiss the GroundThe Acid Rain MovieConnect with Jill TidmanOn LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagram

Alex Wright-Gladstein was one of the first people I interviewed when I launched Invested in Climate nearly 3 years ago. Our conversation has stuck in my mind over the years as her company, Sphere, offers one of the most impactful actions individuals can take to address climate change. The action is really simple: Moving our savings out of fossil fuel companies. In the United States, fossil fuels are included by default in retirement savings accounts. If you have a 401(k), IRA, or pension, you are almost certainly supporting the fossil fuel industry. And we're not talking about chump change: About 20% of the fossil fuel market cap is derived from 401(k)s and IRA investments. Sphere makes it easy for people and companies to move retirement savings away from fossil fuels. They're currently raising money through a WeFunder crowdfunding campaign, so I thought it was a perfect time to catch up with Alex and hear about Sphere's progress. Full disclosure: I'm a Sphere investor and soon-to-be customer, but I should say clearly - nothing in this episode should be considered investment advice and is just for informational purposes. I hope this conversation pushes your thinking in a helpful way. Enjoy.On today's episode, we cover:[00:58] Introduction to Alex Wright-Gladstein and Sphere[02:35] The origin of Sphere and the problem they're solving[05:00] Details about the Sphere 500 Climate Fund[06:28] Discussion of investment impact and fossil fuel investments[09:17] Navigating 401(k) regulations and lawsuits[13:44] Impact of political administrations on climate investing[19:37] Ways people can invest with Sphere[25:23] Strategies for pressuring companies to offer sustainable 401(k)s[29:57] Challenges faced by Sphere, including market volatility and ESG backlash[33:35] Vision for the future of climate-friendly investingResources MentionedSphereSphere 500 Climate FundInfluenceMapThe Virtual March to Retire Big OilWeFunder: Invest in SphereConnect with Alex Wright-GladsteinOn LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramBlueskyHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

In just its first few weeks in power, the Trump administration has wreaked havoc on the climate tech landscape. An executive order aimed at accelerating fossil fuel extraction and slamming the brakes on renewables and the freeze on all federal grants has already had a devastating effect. Even though the freeze was quickly rescinded, climate companies and organizations across the country are struggling to operate amidst the uncertainty of whether the government will rescind its contractual obligations and cut funding. At stake are hundreds of billions of dollars that have been crucial to developing America's green economy. Clearly, a good time to learn more about the importance of grant funding on climate tech, I sat down with Joel Armin–Hoiland, CEO of Climate Finance Solutions. Joel's company has helped climate businesses identify, apply for, and manage over $1.6 billion in non-dilutive grants. In this conversation, we spoke about how Joel's background led to a unique understanding of the importance of grants for climate companies, his company's track record and impact, how the funding landscape is changing, and much more. Even with federal funding potentially disappearing, there's still money on the table from other sources and a ton of complexity to navigate. This episode will be the first in a series with Joel as we try to help you all find your way to this new era. Here we go. In today's episode, we cover:[02:58] Introduction to Joel & Climate Finance Solutions[06:08] The role & importance of grants in addressing climate change[08:22] Navigating the complex grant funding ecosystem[13:12] Climate Finance Solutions' services & impact[15:14] Examples of successful grant-funded projects[17:44] Challenges & strategies for securing grants[23:50] Impact of the Trump administration on federal grant funding[31:37] Alternative sources of grant funding & future outlookResources MentionedClimate Finance SolutionsRondo EnergyUSDA Partnership for Climate-Smart CommoditiesThe Nature ConservancyClimate in Europe Innovation FundHorizon EuropeEU LIFE ProgrammeConnect with Joel Armin–HoilandOn LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our Newsletter

Many experts today say we're in the midst of the 6th mass extinction, a relatively short period of time when a high percentage of biodiversity dies out. To be clear, we're talking about hundreds of thousands of species and an extinction event bigger than anything our planet has seen for over 65 million years when dinosaurs walked the earth. A recent study in the journal, Science, looked at 30 years of research across hundreds of species and showed the close link between climate change and biodiversity loss. It projects that if we can achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, 1 in 50 species will go extinct by the end of the century. Meanwhile, if current emission trends continue, mass extinction could claim as many as 1 in 3 species on Earth. Sorry to start with such sobering data, but the threat to biodiversity is not talked about enough and the stakes need to be known.There is, of course, hope and it lies with people like Brett Jenks. Brett is the CEO of a global conservation and climate change nonprofit called Rare. They've been around for 50 years, work in 60 different countries, and yet, are often behind the scenes. Rare has helped save species and ecosystems, and through that work have learned that their approach can contribute to systemic change. For them, it all begins with understanding people and how to change our behavior. I spoke with Brett about his background, Rare's approach and impact, their conservation efforts, and how they're working upstream to change finance, policy, and culture. Despite the stakes and the difficult challenge we face, I found this conversation to be quite inspiring and I certainly learned a ton from Brett. Enjoy. Resources MentionedRareConnect with Brett JenksConnect with Brett on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

What 2025 will bring for climate tech is pretty hard to predict. We've seen a slowdown in investments at the same time as we see a continued flood of talent into the space, maturing technologies, and a boom in AI that could be transformative for climate solutions. The new administration? Nobody really knows how they'll orient around climate tech, or how private investors will respond.There's a lot of uncertainty, but of course, pros who have been in this game for decades and who study early-stage climate technology closely have some ideas of where we're headed. So I was thrilled to get to catch up with Andrew Beebe, Managing Director of Obvious Ventures. We spoke about Andrew's background as an entrepreneur and the parallels he sees between the Internet's and climate tech's early days. We talked about where climate tech is today, 5 predictions he has for 2025, generative science, technologies he's most excited about, what needs to change to address the climate crisis, and more. Andrew brings the nuance and clarity of someone who's been working closely with energy and climate entrepreneurs every day for a long time. We didn't solve all the mysteries of what this year will bring, but I think Andrew shared some great food for thought and real opportunities. Resources MentionedObvious VenturesConnect with Andrew BeebeConnect with Andrew on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

Happy New Year everyone. It's 2025, and we know this year will be tricky in more ways than we can even imagine. I hope our podcast helps you stay inspired and think big throughout the year. Having gotten to talk to hundreds of climate tech founders, funders, advocates, and corporate sustainability leaders in recent years, I've been inspired by the amazing energy, innovation, and tenacity of climate champions worldwide. I've said it before and will say it again, I believe climate is now the biggest movement in human history. Millions of people wake up every day and work to protect the planet in one way or another, and there's never been a more impactful time to be alive. And yet, despite the investment and progress we've seen, we're not on track to avoid devastating climate impacts. That's why I've personally shifted my attention to culture change. We simply need new ways to recruit people to take action and leverage the power they have to make climate a real and unwavering priority of policymakers, industry, and communities. So I'm thrilled to kick off this year with an interview with Eric Levine, co-founder of one of the world's most successful climate engagement organizations. Count Us In has reached hundreds of millions of people by integrating climate calls to action in what they love – entertainment and culture. In this conversation, we discuss Eric's background, the behavioral science behind their approach, and how they're reaching people through music, sports, fashion, film, TV, social media, and more. Maybe you don't consider culture and storytelling to be an exciting climate technology, but paradigms and mindsets are foundational to systemic change. They influence everything – how we think, what we prioritize, fund, and want. So give this episode a listen with an open mind and enjoy. Here we go. In today's episode, we cover:[03:55] Eric's background & how he got involved in climate work[05:00] Eric's interest in civic engagement & empowering young people[10:00] The founding of Count Us In & its goals[15:00] Count Us In's strategy of integrating climate action into popular culture[20:00] The parallels Count Us In has studied from other social norm shifts[25:00] Examples of Count Us In's work engaging football/soccer fans in the UK & Brazil[30:00] Count Us In's approach to determining & promoting climate actions[35:00] The difference between environmental policy support & prioritization[40:00] What's next for Count Us InResources MentionedCount Us InConnect with Eric LevineConnect with Eric on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagram

Let's talk about nature – the forests, land, oceans, biodiversity, and ecosystem that make this planet liveable and, if you ask me, quite worth saving. Nature regulates our climate – and stewarding nature well could contribute 20-30% of our emissions reduction needs. It'd also support livelihoods around the world and help prevent the mass extinction of many of our planet's species. Nature-based solutions often sound simple – planting and protecting forests, farming in ways that improve soil health, restoring wetlands – but require sophisticated techniques to measure and track their impact. The lack of good nature monitoring systems has contributed to a $700 billion global financing gap and an inability of private sector investors to really lean into this opportunity. Currently, just 15% of investment in nature-based solutions comes from the private sector. This is where a young company called Cultivo comes in. Cultivo uses technology to understand the investment opportunity for nature based solutions. Having just raised $14 million of venture capital, they're ready to scale. I was thrilled to speak with Cultivo Founder and CEO Manuel Pinuela. We discussed Manuel's background as a repeat entrepreneur, how he came to found Cultivo, the technology that sets them apart, the potential they see and much more. I learned a lot and became a quick fan of Cultivo's work. Hope you enjoy this episode. It's our last of 2024, so I'm wishing you all happy holidays. I hope you all get to spend some time resting and recharging – perhaps including some time in nature – and gear up for the challenges ahead. Thanks for listening. In today's episode, we cover:[00:58] Manuel Pinuela's background and how he got into climate[06:25] Cultivo and the problem that they're solving[09:30] Defining "degraded land" and Cultivo's target customers[12:55] Cultivo's technology and approach[15:11] Examples of complex nature-based solutions Cultivo works on[23:54] The climate impact and portfolio approach of Cultivo's work[31:19] Cultivo's progress and recent $14 million funding round[35:09] What the nature-based solutions market needsResources MentionedCultivoConnect with Manuel PinuelaConnect with Manuel on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

Today, we're talking about wildfires and some innovative technology to prevent them. Climate change-related heat, drought, and what's called thirsty atmospheric conditions increase the risks that come with wildfires. These fires have a real impact – they take human lives, create lasting respiratory health problems, destroy billions of dollars of property, and contribute significantly to global carbon emissions. The 2023 fire in Canada that burned an area the size of North Dakota emitted more carbon in five months than Russia or Japan emitted from fossil fuels in all of 2022. It should be noted, of course, that forests reabsorb carbon as they regrow, but still, their burning at that scale is a huge problem. Billions of dollars are being invested every year to prevent and limit wildfires, and I was excited to connect with a leading startup in this space to learn about what's working and what challenges need to be solved. Today's guest is Abhishek Singh, Co-Founder & CEO of AiDash, a company using satellites to help utility companies prevent powerline-cased fires. We talk about the problem of climate-related wildfires, the origin of AiDash, how their technology works, who's using it, how they expect to contribute to fire mitigation, what else is needed, and much more. Smokey the Bear says only you can prevent wildfires, but maybe it's only you, thousands of satellites, AI and computer vision, and a growing ecosystem of technology companies and forest management professionals. Anyways, don't mess around with fire and enjoy this episode. Resources MentionedAiDashConnect with Abhishek SinghConnect with Abhishek on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

When Tom Steyer and Katie Hall came together in 2021 to bring Galvanize Climate Solutions to the world, it promised to be something rather unique. They both bring decades of experience managing many billions of dollars, incredible networks, and insights to find the best, most impactful investment opportunities for climate. Recently, Secretary John Kerry joined Galvanize as a Co-Chair, adding perhaps unparalleled international expertise to their team. The firm prioritizes not just financial returns for their investors, but also real climate impact. I was thrilled to sit down with Galvanize Chief Impact Officer Nicole Systrom to learn about how such an all-star team thinks about the impact they create. We spoke about Nicole's background, the three different asset classes Galvanize invests in, three different levels of impact they consider before and after their investments are made, the impact of the election on their work, and much more. I learned a lot and am certainly glad Galvanize is doing the work it's doing. Enjoy. In today's episode, we cover:[02:35] Nicole's background & career focus on climate[06:59] Galvanize & what makes it unique[11:21] Feelings & optimism in climate work[14:36] Galvanize's investment strategy across asset classes[15:59] Impact approaches for public equities, real estate & venture[17:59] Galvanize's thesis & embedding impact across the firm[22:36] Three levels of impact[24:02] Diving deeper into impact approaches for different asset classes[26:11] Galvanize's real estate investment strategy[29:24] Nicole's goals & priorities for the next year[32:42] The impact of the recent election[34:28] What else needs to change in climate finance[36:28] Closing reflections & call to actionResources MentionedGalvanize Climate SolutionsConnect with Nicole SystromConnect with Nicole on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitter

There are many reasons to believe the re-election of Donald Trump will be a major setback to climate progress. His previous record, recent campaign, ties to the fossil fuel industry, and perpetuation of misinformation, like the strange idea that wind turbines kill whales, all suggest we're in for a radical reversal of America's climate commitment. I've had many conversations with climate leaders since the election and a different narrative beyond this obvious fear became clear: Climate change doesn't care who is President. Its impacts will be impossible to ignore. Business leadership and global competitiveness are now inextricably linked to navigating the climate transition. And, a robust ecosystem of influential actors domestically and abroad makes a complete abandonment of climate action unlikely. Today, I'm joined by two people who bring policy expertise at the federal, state, and local levels. Zach Friedman is the Senior Director of Federal Policy at Ceres, a nonprofit organization that works alongside investors and companies to advocate for sustainability. Caroline Spears is the Founder of Climate Cabinet, an organization that helps local candidates become successful climate champions. I found this conversation to be full of nuance and more uplifting than I expected. Our new reality is sobering and there's no denying we face new challenges. There is hope, however, and it comes with the fortitude and savvy people like Zach and Caroline have already been demonstrating. This savvy will require telling different stories about climate, the undeniable business case, and the power of all of us who stay invested. In today's episode, we cover:[03:55] Background on Caroline's & Zack's roles at Climate Cabinet & Ceres[06:35] Potential challenges & opportunities for federal climate policy under the new administration[10:21] The implications of the U.S. potentially disengaging from international climate agreements[13:44] The critical role of state and local governments in driving climate progress[19:24] Priorities of Climate Cabinet & Ceres in the wake of the election results[26:11] How to support climate progressResources MentionedCeresClimate CabinetConnect with Zach Friedman & Caroline SpearsConnect with Zach on LinkedInConnect with Caroline on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagram

Every once in a while I come across an investment firm with a really different edge and perspective. Overture VC is one such firm. Their specialty is policy – not just understanding the unique opportunities climate tech companies have with government incentives and helping them navigate that tricky terrain, but also actually lobbying for policies that'll benefit their portfolio companies. In the words of Overture Founder and Managing Partner Shomik Dutta, there's a $1.2 trillion dollar wall of government money coming downhill for climate companies. So Overture's edge is meaningful and can make a big difference for a wide range of companies. Shomik and I discussed his background, how he moved into investing from politics, the opportunities recent climate policy has created for startups, examples of Overture's portfolio companies and how the firm has helped them, and much more, including what's at stake in the upcoming election.Speaking of the election – it's next week. If you don't yet have a plan for how to get your ballot in or haven't called your friends and family to make sure they're voting, now's the time. Shomik mentions a mobile app called Reach – a great tool to help you contact people you know in swing states. In today's episode, we cover:[03:01] Shomik Dota's Background and Transition to Investing[06:05] Overture VC's Unique Approach and Government Incentives [09:12] The Role of Government in Climate Tech and Overture's Strategy[12:44] Overture's Portfolio and Specific Investments[16:56] Examples of Overture's Work and Impact[20:45] Overture's Fund and Investment Focus[23:05] Election Impact on Climate Policy[25:41] Future Policy Needs and Final ThoughtsResources MentionedOverture VCReachConnect with Shomik DuttaConnect with Shomik on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

The apparel industry has a massive impact on the environment. The industry is the second-highest consumer of water and it drives almost 10% of global carbon emissions. Despite thousands of smart people working to make this industry cleaner and all sorts of investments by brands, emissions are still increasing. To learn about this problem and get an inside look at the efforts to address it, I caught up with two old friends, Jason Kibbey and Evan Wiener. Jason was the founder of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and more recently a technology company called Worldly that helps businesses track their supply chains. Evan is a sustainability expert at McKinsey & Company who previously worked at Nike and H&M. These guys know the fashion industry inside and out. We talked about the state of sustainability in the apparel industry, the challenges of competitive and pricing pressures, the role of legislation, the opportunity for startups, the questionable authenticity of corporate sustainability aspirations, what needs to change, and much more. This is an industry that simply needs to change dramatically, and I learned a lot about how we might get there. Let's go. In today's episode, we cover:[03:07] Backgrounds of Jason Kibbe and Evan Wiener[08:19] Environmental and Societal Impact of the Apparel Industry[11:11] Progress and Challenges in Sustainability Efforts[16:16] Role of Regulation and Industry Response[25:31] Opportunities for Startups and Innovation[37:33] Consumer and Investor Roles in Sustainability[42:50] Reconciling Optimism with Industry Challenges[44:51] Conclusion and Final ThoughtsResources MentionedCascale (formerly Sustainable Apparel Coalition)WorldlyMcKinsey & Company Connect with Jason Kibbey and Evan WienerConnect with Jason on LinkedInConnect with Evan on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitter

If you're an avid listener, you might know I'm always interested in learning about ways we might improve financial markets for climate ventures. Improving the flow of capital can, of course, be incredibly impactful in helping more climate solutions scale successfully. So I was really excited when I learned about Open Road and the important role they're playing by offering bridge loans to promising companies. Ok, maybe bridge loans don't sound that sexy to you? Think of it this way: if you're an entrepreneur, what could be worse than running out of money? How about running out of money when you already have significant funding lined up just not yet in-hand. The sad truth is that this happens all the time – companies go under because they simply can't keep paying salaries or buying supplies while they wait for financing to arrive. That's the financing gap that Open Road has been addressing for over 10 years. In this conversation with Open Road CEO Caroline Bressan we talked about her background in impact investing, Open Road's history, how their loans have unlocked 10 times the amount of capital, their climate portfolio, and more. In today's episode, we cover:[03:08] Caroline's background & role before Open Road[04:09] Learning from Calvert that shaped Caroline[05:13] Open Road, how did it start & the problem it's aiming to address[06:46] Financing gaps related to climate: The valley of death & the missing middle[08:37] Investment reach & focus in Sub-Saharan Africa[10:31] Finding & selecting portfolio companies[12:21] The type of impact Open Road has had[13:24] The need there for bridge funding beyond what is provided[15:23] Open Road's repayment rate[17:39] How much of lending has gone to energy, ag & other climate-related companies[21:01] Types of businesses Open Road has supported[26:30] What's next for Open RoadResources MentionedOpen RoadConnect with Caroline BressanConnect with Caroline on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

After a summer of record heat waves, I'm sure we're all grateful for air conditioning. And we know, it's not just about comfort or productivity, but with extreme heat, being able to cool buildings keeps people safe. Yet, it comes at a cost: air conditioning today is responsible for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions and demand is set to triple by 2050.Maybe you're thinking that heat pumps are the answer and will come to the rescue? They're certainly an important part of the solution, but until electric heat pumps are plugged into a grid that is fully powered by clean energy, efficiency matters a great deal. Enter Mojave HVAC. Their liquid desiccant technology can cut the energy needed for cooling commercial spaces by 30-50%. For today's conversation, I'm joined by Mojave Founder & CEO Phil Farese. We spoke about Phil's past and how he learned about the economics of energy efficiency, Mojave's business model, technology, and its potential role in keeping us cool without overheating the planet. Here we go. In today's episode, we cover:[03:01] Phil's background & what led him to founding Mojave HVAC[05:07] Mojave & the problem that they're solving[07:24] The limitations of heat pumps [10:36] Focusing on efficiency & using less energy for our HVAC needs[13:53] How Mojave's technology was developed & where the business is at [16:04] Mohave's target market & how sales are progressing [17:21] Other insights on Mohave's product [18:21] The overall opportunity for business & impact[19:42] Emissions savings through technology adoption[20:25] Drivers of demand for Mohave's product[22:26] The pros & cons of the liquid desiccants debate[25:37] Mohave's next milestone & the biggest challenges[26:41] Blind spots in addressing climate change & buildings[29:27] Today's climate innovation ecosystem & how it needs to improveResources MentionedMojave HVACConnect with Phil FareseConnect with Phil on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

We're weeks away from a historic election. It's one that will decide the course of climate action in the United States at a pivotal moment, a moment when we can't afford to slow down or send mixed signals abroad. And, it's an election that all expect to be decided by just tens of thousands of voters. These are all facts that I'm sure you know already. Here's what you probably don't know: millions of environmentalists don't vote. These are people who list the environment and climate change as their number one most important issue – and getting just 1-2% of them to vote could easily decide the election. This is the premise and work of the Environmental Voter Project. They're a nonpartisan nonprofit organization, not focusing on a particular party, but instead focusing on protecting the environment simply by getting environmentalists to the polls. I learned a lot from my conversation with EVP Founder and Executive Director Nathaniel Stinnett. We talked about the difference between voter preferences and priorities, who these non-voting environmentalists are, and what actually works in getting them to vote. The answer to that riddle and much else in this episode might surprise you.In today's episode, we cover:[03:18] What's at stake in the 2024 election?[04:40] The implications for climate[07:14] How local elections influence environmental policy[08:56] Public sentiment on the environment[11:13] The distinction between voter preference & voter prioritization[13:28] The lack of voter turnout among environmentalists[15:06] Why aren't environmentalists voting[20:21] Fossil fuel PR campaigns [21:24] Environmental Voter Project & what they're doing to engage[23:55] The most resonant, persuasive, helpful message to motivate behavior change[27:31] Measuring EVP's impact [30:00] What is EVP hoping to achieve this year [32:49] The sensitivity analysis for EVP Resources MentionedEnvironmental Voter ProjectConnect with Nathaniel StinnettConnect with Nathaniel on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

If you believe the climate transition is creating trillions of dollars of opportunity, then backing public companies whose business models are centered on that transition and whose growth will be driven by it seems an almost obvious approach. That's exactly what Heather Beatty and ScopeFour Capital are doing, and I was excited to hear what they're learning and the opportunities they see.In this conversation, we talk about Heather's background and how she came to found ScopeFour after decades in institutional investing. We talk about their approach, their portfolio, and the opportunities they're excited about. We talk about the election, how it's influencing their investing in the short term, and the potential long-term implications. We talk about green hushing the resilience of corporate climate action, and much more. Lots to think about in this one. Here we go. In today's episode, we cover:[2:45] Heather's background & what got her interested in climate [5:50] The founding of ScopeFour[7:54] Why aren't we investing by following science & research[9:48] ScopeFour & what they're aiming to do[11:32] What's unique about ScopeFour[13:49] What to say to naysayers of climate investing[15:22] Specific examples of investments ScopeFour has made[17:06] Exciting spaces and opportunities right now for climate investing[18:45] What can be done to encourage faster adoption of climate tech[21:08] Tying emissions reductions to the size of an opportunity[23:24] Climate risk as a factor in investment decisions[24:58] The short-term & long-term impacts of the upcoming election[29:35] What we know about Kamala Harris' interest in climateResources MentionedScopeFour CapitalProject DrawdownInvested in Climate: Every job is a climate job with Project Drawdown, Ep #37EnphaseABBNexansConnect with Heather BeattyConnect with Heather on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or...

I'm always excited to talk to climate investors who have been around for a bit, those who were investing during the Cleantech 1.0 phase, saw the ups and the downs, and have stuck through to our current climate tech boom. Some of the challenges that the earlier era of cleantech investing saw – like high capex and long payback periods – are still relevant today, and experienced investors offer nuanced insights into current opportunities and what the future might hold.I was thrilled to talk to Greg Wasserman. Greg started investing in clean energy almost 20 years ago at Goldman Sachs. I'll let you hear the twists and turns of his background directly from him, but suffice to say he fits the bill of someone who's worn multiple prestigious hats to finance climate solutions. Greg recently closed a new $385 million climate fund at Wellington Management, one of the world's largest independent investment management firms with over $1 trillion AUM.We talk about Greg's journey, how climate investing has changed, what he's currently excited about, opportunities for the future, and much more.In today's episode, we cover:[3:03] Greg's background & what got him interested in climate investing[5:30] Greg's experience at Goldman Sachs[6:54] Greg's experience at the Clinton Foundation[9:47] Greg's experience at Generation Four Investment Management[13:53] Wellington & what it's known for[15:19] Wellington's Climate Fund[17:42] Leveraging resources & resources for Wellington's fund[20:20] The state of climate investing[22:32] Interesting innovations & where the fund is focused[24:40] The influence of blockchain technology in climate solutions[26:28] Measuring impact of the fund[29:14] Wellington's investment in Orennia[31:54] Wellington's investment in SPAN[34:56] What's coming in the next 5-10 years for climate investingResources MentionedWellington ManagementOrenniaSPANConnect with Greg WassermanConnect with Greg on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

It's a sad truth that many companies are struggling or failing to meet their sustainability targets. Sensitive to anti-ESG pressure, interest rates, and other macro factors, many are also holding back from making new commitments. Currently, less than 10% of the Fortune Global 500 has a net zero commitment in place. Amidst this context, it's all the more important to shine a light on the companies that have made ambitious targets and that are working hard to achieve them. IBM is one such company. They began disclosing their CO2 emissions 30 years ago, and since 2010, they've cut emissions by nearly 70%. That's not to say their path is without challenges. They've made a big bet on AI, which of course drives up energy usage dramatically. To understand IBM's sustainability strategy and progress, I was pleased to sit down with IBM Chief Impact Officer Justina Nixon-Saintil. Justina is a member of NationSwell, the executive membership network where I work. We talked about Justina's background and role, the main focus areas for sustainability at IBM, some of their successes and challenges, how AI factors into the mix, their sustainability accelerator program, and much more. If you're interested in how big companies think about the climate crisis and how they can make a difference, there's a lot to enjoy this episode. Here we go. On today's episode, we cover:[3:23] Justina's background & what led her to her current role at IBM[6:06] Justina's role, responsibilities & things she's thinking about everyday[8:59] The pillars & priorities of IBM's sustainability strategy[10:29] The approach to influencing those stakeholders[12:46] Challenges being faced and the gap between companies & their targets[14:36] Challenges in reaching your decarbonization goals[16:19] AI & sustainability[19:31] IBM Sustainability Accelerator: Focus areas & what's new[22:44] Organizations that have joined the accelerator & how they're benefiting[25:07] The struggles & challenges that organizations are facing[27:23] Other climate tech spaces where Justina sees an opportunity for AI[28:09] IBM SkillsBuild: About the program & priorities[32:25] Advice for addressing climate change & other environmental challenges todayResources MentionedIBM Impact: EnvironmentIBM Sustainability AcceleratorIMB SkillsBuildConnect with Justina Nixon-SaintilConnect with Justina on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our Newsletter

Hedge funds aren't exactly known for contributing to climate progress or other ESG goals for that matter. So I was surprised to learn about Corbin Capital, a firm that aims to leverage the activist strategies of hedge funds not just to generate market-exceeding returns for their clients, but to advance environmental and social objectives.There are trillions of dollars invested in hedge funds that can make a difference in this all-hands-on-deck moment. So why not think about how hedge fund tools can help accelerate decarbonization and other environmental priorities? To learn more about this opportunity and how Corbin Capital is pursuing it, I sat down with their Director of Sustainability Courtney Birnbaum. I learned a lot about hedge fund tactics, and the opportunity to invest in transition commodities, carbon markets and more. Lots to learn through this one – enjoy!In today's episode, we cover:[2:47] Courtney's path to working on climate & sustainability[4:37] Corbin Capital & Courtney's role there[7:59] What is a hedge fund & how is it different than other investment vehicles[9:23] The history of hedge funds & factors that have made them successful[11:27] Why today is a good moment for hedge fund investing[13:18] Uncertainty creating opportunities for hedge fund investing[15:31] Influencing transformational change through hedge funds[17:52] Examples of success stories[20:29] Thinking about criticisms around lack of transparency[22:13] What makes Corbin unique[23:19] Climate opportunities for Corbin investors & the impact they're aiming to have[25:59] Litigation finance[27:23] How hedge funds can play a role in decarbonization[28:16] How hedge funds can play a role in the carbon markets & carbon credits[30:28] Short selling as a strategy for improving corporate sustainability[33:57] How do finance needs to change to better tackle today's climate crisisResources MentionedCorbin CapitalConnect with Courtney BirnbaumConnect with Courtney on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

We know we need to be investing trillions of dollars annually into the climate transition. Venture capital is just a small slice of the pie, but there's simply no time to slow down its contribution to advancing climate solutions. In 2023, however, climate tech venture funding dropped 30% to $32 billion. Whether this was a temporary slowdown caused by high interest rates and the macro environment, or the new normal, will make a big difference.Recently, I've been thrilled to start hearing about funds that are closing new and significantly bigger rounds. One such firm is Clean Energy Ventures. They just raised their second fund, which is three times the size of their first, and I was pleased to get to hear the details from Clean Energy Ventures' Co-Founder and Managing Partner Temple Fennel. Temple's been investing in climate tech since 2017 and has held fast to focusing on companies that can reduce emissions by multiple gigatons. In today's conversation, we hear how Temple got started in climate tech investing and what he seeks in an investment. We hear about some of his portfolio companies, the changes he's seeing in climate investing and much more. Lots to learn in this one – enjoy. In today's episode, we cover:[03:02] Temple's path & how he decided to focus on climate investing[7:54] Clean Energy Ventures' investment thesis & what makes them unique[11:38] Expectations, assumptions & surprises from the first fund[14:25] Rebound Technologies, their business potential & climate mitigation opportunity[17:40] Aqua Membranes & why Clean Energy Ventures invested[19:51] Other examples of what Clean Energy Ventures is interested in[23:03] The second fund & the focus this time around[25:52] The Simple Emission Reduction Calculator: Emissions reduction & the causality for financial return[27:33] The process of raising capital today [30:42] The current state of the capital market for climate[32:36] Change in SBTI rules around offsetting & talk on decarbonization mandates[34:49] What needs to happen to get company leadership onboard for making near-term commitments to technologies that will drive their decarbonization[36:11] How investors are acting differently & outlook[37:45] Other interesting investment areas with opportunityResources MentionedClean Energy VenturesRebound TechnologiesAqua MembranesOXCCUNoon EnergyClean Energy Ventures' Simple Emissions Reduction CalculatorS2G Report: The Missing Middle: Capital Balances in the Energy TransitionConnect with Temple FennellConnect with Temple on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn

After two years of waiting, the SEC finally came out with its new climate disclosure rules. As expected, it was met with a mix of celebration, disappointment, criticism, and lawsuits. The suits came from those who felt the rules went too far and from those who felt they don't go far enough. Disclosure rules are critical to ensuring companies are taking climate change seriously. They ensure investors can consider a company's climate risks as well as their progress in cutting emissions. Beyond the SEC, Europe and California's rules are also influencing corporate action in profound ways. To understand what's been happening and what's likely to happen next, I caught up with Steven Rothstein. Steven is the Managing Director of the Ceres Accelerator for Sustainable Capital Markets. He's been working for years to align financial markets to climate goals and is a well respected expert on this topic. We talked about the history of disclosures, why they matter, the recent SEC rule change, the reaction it sparked, what's coming next, and much more. I always learn a lot from talking to Steven and I'm sure you will too. Enjoy. In today's episode, we cover:[03:07] Stephen's role at Ceres accelerator[03:25] The Accelerator's work & capital market change[05:02] History of early climate reporting[06:58] Disclosure requirements in Europe and CSRD[10:29] California law coverage of private companies [11:06] Ceres' role in California climate laws[13:23] Why SEC rule took two years[15:07] The importance of Scope 3 SEC inclusion[16:29] SEC rule may evolve over time[18:00] Legal challenges to rules and regulations[20:47] Continuing climate preparations[23:15] Balancing reporting and climate action[27:19] The importance of interim targets [29:56] Election impact on climate progress[31:45] Developing transition plans and data analysis[35:13] Actions listeners can takeResources MentionedCeres Accelerator for Sustainable Capital MarketsConnect with Steven RothsteinConnect with Steven on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

If you think of Mastercard as simply a piece of plastic that enables you to buy stuff, you're not seeing their vast network of businesses, their billions of customers, or the potential influence they have on consumer behavior.There have been countless efforts over the years to encourage consumers to shop more sustainably, but when it comes to the reach and data savvy that Mastercard brings, it's a whole different ballgame. I've known Mastercard's Chief Sustainability Officer Ellen Jackowski for many years, and I was delighted to sit down with her to understand Mastercard's sustainability strategy. We talk about Ellen's background and approach to leadership, the current moment in sustainability, Mastercard's effort to encourage sustainable consumption at scale, how they've spread sustainability goals across their entire company, and much more. Ellen is a widely respected thought leader in corporate sustainability and this conversation offers a peek inside an ambitious and very challenging effort to create real impact. Mastercard is a NationSwell member and we'll soon share a summary of this conversation as part of NationSwell's Sustainability Next series. Enjoy!In today's episode, we cover:[02:13] Ellen's background & passion for sustainability [04:14] Ellen's role at Mastercard[06:13] Present moment in sustainability - trends & concerns[08:13] The reach of Mastercard's network[10:58] Sustainable consumption as a systems problem[12:29] Areas of opportunity & challenge[14:00] The Priceless Planet Coalition video drop[15:32] Mastercard's carbon calculator[16:50] Influencing large emitting purchases[17:32] Promoting sustainable consumption around the world & US[18:52] The biggest challenge in reaching net-zero goals[21:00] Best ways to organize sustainability leaders[23:24] Tackling Scope 3 emissions[26:08] Mastercard's Priceless Planet Coalition[27:53] Mastercard's Community Pass Platform[29:21] Mastercard's Start Path in Solidarity[30:52] How Ellen's thinking in leadership has evolved[33:18] Resources to stay informed on sustainability[34:22] What else needs to changeResources MentionedMastercard: Priceless Planet CoalitionNationSwell: Next SeriesMastercard: Carbon CalculatorMastercard: Community PassMastercard: In SolidarityOutrage and OptimismProject DrawdownConnect with Ellen JackowskiConnect with Ellen on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn

Earthshot Ventures isn't just any climate tech venture firm. Having grown out of the Elemental Excelerator, one of the biggest and best-reputed accelerators in the industry, Earthshot is deeply rooted in the early-stage ecosystem. And it turns out there's something else that sets them apart. Managing Partner Mike Jackson has a knack for coaching founders on what he thinks of as the art and science of fundraising. We're joined today by Mike and Earthshot Partner Ramsay Siegal to hear about their firm, approach, portfolio, and outlook on the market. We dive deep into Mike's insights to helping founders raise money. We talked about non-dilutive project financing and hard-to-abate sectors, the opportunities AI is bringing to climate tech, several of their portfolio companies, and much more. If you're interested in early-stage climate investing, or startups, there's lots to learn in this one. Hope you enjoy. Here we go.In today's episode, we cover:[02:47] Mike's background & experience[04:52] Ramsey's background & expertise[07:51] The relationship between Earthshot VC & Elemental Excelerator[09:39] Earthshot's investment thesis, what they're interested in & what sets them apart[12:22] Earthshot's network[14:13] Mike's approach to fundraising & coaching the portfolio[17:54] Fundraising tips and tricks for founders[22:17] Earthshot's success stories[24:38] How is AI showing up[30:41] Investing in hard-to-abate sectors and Kanin Energy[33:06] Kanin Energy's business model and non-dilutive funding[38:15] Earthshot's commitment, DEI & tips for achieving a diverse portfolio[42:38] Outlook & opportunities for climate tech investingResources MentionedEarthshot VenturesElemental ExceleratorMitra ChemKanin EnergyGenerate CapitalWestly GroupConnect with Mike Jackson & Ramsay SiegalConnect with Mike on LinkedInConnect with Ramsay on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or...

We know that motivating homeowners to invest in energy efficiency retrofits and home upgrades is hard. Energy efficiency might not sound glamorous, but across the US, retrofits can actually cut our residential energy usage in half. That's why when I met Scope Zero CEO Lizzy Kolar, I was excited to learn about her company's novel way of motivating home upgrades. What Lizzy and her co-founder realized is that our homes are now workplaces. And, with employers having to account for emissions for remote workers, they now have an incentive to help homeowners invest in upgrades. Enter the Carbon Savings Account (CSA). Modeled after FSAs and HSAs, the CSA can scale quickly and help millions of homeowners across the US to begin investing in upgrades they've been putiing off. In this episode, we hear about Lizzy's background, the founding story of Scope Zero, the problems they're trying to solve, the best home upgrade investments, how the home upgrade ecosystem has been evolving, and much more. This is a fast and to-the-point episode. Hope you enjoy it.In today's episode, we cover:[03:02] Lizzy's background, what sparked her interest in climate & founding Scope Zero[05:50] Key needs that Scope Zero is addressing[07:17] The HSA model & how it works[08:24] How the HSA model translates to climate action[09:20] How someone might use the money they put in a Scope Zero account[10:15] What holds homeowners back from making investments[11:40] Evidence that consumers will invest in CSAs[12:23] The benefits of government incentives - Inflation Reduction Act[12:53] What home upgrades should be prioritized[14:43] The benefits of a Scope Zero CSA for employers[16:34] ROI for employers[17:53] CSAs in practice & the response[18:27] How far along is Scope Zero & the growth plan[19:44] Scope Zero's total addressable market & opportunity[20:27] Quantifying impact in terms of emissions reduced & environmental benefits[21:06] Tracking the impact of CSAs using dashboards & data[21:44] Customers' access to a partner vendor network[22:14] How the ecosystem surrounding home upgrades is evolving[23:08] How Scope Zero is financed & raising funding[23:47] Opportunities for aligning interests & motivating changeResources MentionedScope ZeroTomKat Center for Sustainable Energy - StanfordCaltech Rocket FundCollaborative FundConnect with Lizzy KolarConnect with Lizzy on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedIn

We know that addressing climate change will take trillions of dollars of investment. According to the Climate Policy Institute, we'll need to spend over $10 trillion annually for decades. and we only just exceeded $1 trillion for the first time in 2022. I'll confess, I find these big numbers hard to conceptualize and I'm always glad for more nuanced ways to break them down. That's why when I saw Oxford's Climate Tech Initiative's recent report, I reached out to one of its authors Jamil Wyne. The Oxford report builds on recent climate finance data by asking almost 150 climate investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers what they're seeing. It's a snapshot from inside climate tech that identifies gaps, promising opportunities, and five recommended changes for climate finance. In this interview, Jamil and I cover all that and more. We go far beyond just talking about the numbers and I think you'll appreciate the global perspective and ability to zoom in and out that Jamil and the Oxford report brings. Enjoy. On today's episode, we cover:[01:15] Introduction to the Oxford Climate Tech Initiative's report & Jamil[02:31] Jamil's portfolio & what's been energizing[04:19] How Climate Tech Initiative's report got started[06:20] Growth & breakdown of climate finance investments[10:02] The mismatch in climate investing[12:43] Investor interest in transportation[15:20] Under investment in heavy industry, built environment & adaptation[17:41] The best investment opportunities within the energy sector[20:39] Overview of recommendations from the report [22:31] Growing climate funding recommendation[23:06] The role of governments & corporations[25:27] Building talent & workforce pools for climate[28:27] Focusing on solutions for vulnerable communities[30:30] Funding for adaptation[33:20] What is Riffle Ventures[36:08] Climate Tech Boot Camp, who it's for & how it's changed[41:27] Future projects & initiativesResources MentionedOxford's Climate Tech InitiativeThe Climate Tech Opportunity ReportRiffle VenturesClimate Tech BootcampConnect with Jamil WyneConnect with Jamil on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagram

At the center of climate progress are scientists. They're developing new technologies with which we can build a new, more sustainable global economy. Moving inventions from a lab to startup companies to scaled products, however, takes more than science. Research scientists had long lacked a support structure to help them build successful businesses. That's where Activate came in. Founded in 2015 at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Activate is a fellowship program that has helped almost 200 science fellows create companies that have now collectively created about 2,000 jobs and have raised about $1.5 billion. To learn more about Activate's important work, we're joined today by Activate CEO Cyrus Wadia. Cyrus brings a unique background spanning time in the Obama Administration, academia, Nike, and Amazon. We talk about how Activate works, lessons they're gathering across climate tech verticals, examples of companies emerging from their fellowship, opportunities, gaps, and much more. I'm a big fan of the work Activate is doing and I'd guess you'll soon be too. Enjoy.In today's episode, we cover:[3:13] Cyrus' background & career journey[6:01] Activate & the problem that its aiming to solve[9:47] The ideal Activate Fellow[12:38] The support that Fellows get & how the Fellowship works[14:25] Activate's achievements[16:41] Success stories & companies that have emerged from the Fellowship[20:02] What's coming & gaps[22:20] Examples of where friction is lower for climate tech to scale[26:35] Applications of AI [31:54] The involvement of corporate partners & how they can show up[34:36] How else do we need to change our approach to addressing climate changeResources MentionedActivateSublime SystemsCalWaveFervoProject RedNoon EnergySoneraLawrence Berkeley National LabCyclotron RoadConnect with Cyrus WadiaConnect with Cyrus on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagram

If you're listening to this podcast you've probably heard of the Sierra Club. It's one of the largest environmental organizations in the United States, with about 4 million members and a history of advocacy going back to 1892.But what do you know about the Sierra Club Foundation? It's a $200m organization that, as you'd guess, supports the Sierra Club. It also takes on ambitious initiatives to leverage its resources to protect the environment, transform the energy system, and more. One of those initiatives focuses on shifting trillions of dollars out of the fossil fuel economy. It's a good example of the level of ambition of these organizations.To learn more, I sat down with Dan Chu and Pedro Henriques Da Silva. Dan is the Executive Director of the Foundation. Pedro is the Director of the Shifting Trillions Program. We had a fascinating conversation about the history, role, and accomplishments of both organizations, the goals and strategy of the Shifting Trillions program, being a 21st-century fiduciary, the upcoming election, and much more. This episode will push your thinking about the role of the Sierra Club and environmental organizations more generally. Enjoy. In today's episode, we cover:[02:54] Background on Sierra Club[05:15] Sierra Club's history & how the Foundation and Club are different[06:56] Size & funding of the organizations[08:09] Focus issue areas, how they are decided & how they inform capital allocation[10:23] Sierra Club Foundation & its broader role[12:37] The Shifting Trillions program & what it's aiming to solve[13:54] The Foundation's three roles & what it's doing[18:21] How the roles of the Club & Foundation are distinct[22:36] What progress has been achieved so far with Shifting Trillions[23:57] Exciting goals being pursued[25:29] Progress & achievements that Dan has seen during his tenure[29:58] The state of the U.S. environmental nonprofit field[32:32] Support for climate through philanthropy[36:02] The importance of this election from an environmental perspective[39:02] Harnessing climate for young voter turnoutResources MentionedSierra ClubSierra Club FoundationShifting TrillionsImpactAlpha Article by Pedro: Fiduciaries have a duty of care to their investors and to the worldConnect with Dan Chu & Pedro Henriques da SilvaConnect with Dan on LinkedInConnect with Pedro on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our

I know it's wintertime for many of you, but that doesn't mean we can ignore how cities around the world are heating up and how air conditioning is a growing contributor to climate change. Air conditioning is responsible for about 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Today, about 20% of electricity used in buildings and about 10% of global electricity use comes from operating air conditioners. With cities heating up and more people able to afford this technology, air conditioning emissions are expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050.To understand this problem and some promising solutions, I sat down with Matthias Roth and Ran Roth. Matthias is a Professor of Geography and Urban Climatology at the University of Singapore. Ran is the Founder of Sensibo, a startup that's using data and AI to improve the efficiency of air conditioners around the world. No family relation between the two Roths, but a shared interest in how cities are heating up and what we can do about it. We talk about urban heat islands, how cities are responding, the growth of air conditioning, Sensibo's solution to making them smarter and more efficient, what else needs attention, and much more. Wherever you are, warm up and stay cool with this episode. Enjoy. In today's episode, we cover:[03:25] Matthias' background & focus[05:10] Ran's background & insights into his work[07:13] The impact of a heating planet on cities[10:28] Why cities heat up more than their surroundings[12:36] How cities are tackling urban heat challenges[14:20] Unpacking air conditioners' impact on climate[17:48] Sensibo's solution to growing AC issues[20:42] Sensibo's customers & scale[21:52] Impact metrics - saving energy on a large scale[23:35] The global rise in demand for air conditioning[25:24] Sensibo's role in curbing AC's environmental impact[27:54] Sensibo's unique features - geofencing and more[29:32] The crucial role of AI in Sensibo's vision[31:22] High-tech excitement & limitations[36:12] Identifying gaps in current climate discussionsResources MentionedUniversity of SingaporeSensibo Connect with Matthias Roth & Ran RothConnect with MatthiasConnect with Ran on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?

We all know that companies around the world are working to reduce their emissions and, hopefully, achieve net zero. But what does it take to set up a sustainability program? What are the steps in the process? What are the considerations along the way? And who are the partners one might work with? Most of this work happens behind closed doors, but sharing insights from corporate sustainability journeys can accelerate progress. That's why Atlassian, a technology company with a real commitment to addressing climate change, decided to open up their own process and share what they learned in a really clear and straightforward playbook.To learn more, I sat down with Atlassian Chief Sustainability Officer, Jess Hyman. Full disclosure: Jess is a member of NationSwell, the executive membership network and advisory, where I get to support impact and sustainability leaders like Jess. In today's conversation, we walk step-by-step through Atlassian's sustainability journey – from getting started, building internal buy-in, finding the right vendors, partners, and reporting protocols for reducing Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, to reporting on progress as well as setbacks, and much more. Whether or not you're a corporate sustainability leader, this episode will help you understand what companies around the world are actually doing to address climate change. Enjoy.In today's episode, we cover:[3:03] Jess' background & path to sustainability work[4:21] Jess' work at Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) & what she learned[6:09] What is Atlassian & their core products[6:44] Why Atlassian decided to share their sustainability journey[8:34] The process of going to leadership to develop the report[9:57] What is a materiality assessment & learnings[11:57] Atlassian's sustainability goals, what it took to develop & share them[13:55] Sustaining internal collaboration[16:15] Atlassian's goal to reach net zero by 2040[18:15] Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions & how they show up for Atlassian[19:30] The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) approval process[22:00] Learnings around decarbonizing buildings[23:40] What are Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (VPPAs) [25:51] Engaging suppliers to reduce emissions[28:37] Transparency, accountability & reporting[30:21] Addressing Work-From-Home (WFH) electricity[31:49] What is the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA)[34:24] What are residual emissions & how is Atlassian dealing with them[36:00] The quality of offsets[37:06] Reporting protocols & learnings[38:56] Building executive buy-in for uncomfortable levels of ambitionResources MentionedAtlassianAtlassian Sustainability ReportAtlassian's Climate Story & Guide: Don't #@!% the PlanetAtlassian Team PlaybookRE100Science Based Targets...

What do you think of when you think about advertising and its role in climate change? I'll confess the first thing that comes to mind is the fossil fuel industry's multi-billion dollar campaign to discredit climate science, deliberately confuse the public, and delay climate action. But, of course, like every industry, advertising has a role to play in accelerating climate progress. Advertising creatives have storytelling skills that can help distill complex information, shift attitudes, and accelerate the adoption of climate solutions. At a more basic level, the narratives that capture our attention and gain currency in our collecting thinking play a powerful role in influencing corporate agenda, policymaking, and voters. So don't count advertising out. Today, I'm joined by Blake Harrop, President of Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam. Whether or not you know it, you're familiar with Wieden+Kennedy's work. They're a small creative firm with a big reputation, and they've been doing some genuinely interesting climate-related work. In our conversation, we talk big picture about the advertising industry and how it needs to evolve, and also what we can all learn from European countries' effective climate communication. We also get specific and talk about some of Wieden+Kennedy's recent projects and how they demonstrate advertising's potential as a climate ally. Lot's to learn about and ponder if you listen with an open mind. Here we go. In today's episode, we cover:[3:19] Wieden+Kennedy history & what it's known for[4:32] Why does advertising matter?[7:22] Should we be lauding the ad industry?[8:55] How the ad industry rewards success & opportunity to change perception[10:28] Wieden+Kennedy as a B Corp & what it means for their commitment to climate[13:06] Would Wieden+Kennedy work with fossil fuel companies in the future?[15:10] Working with Fortescue Future Industries & Google in Germany[19:16] Working with Orsted (Fmr. DONG Energy) & Corona[25:31] The pros & cons of sustainability as a selling point[30:10] Lessons on communicating climate change[33:23] The importance & urgency of climate action[36:22] Nuclear energy as a dream campaign from a climate perspective[39:43] A role for all of us to be advertisers for climate engagementResources MentionedWieden+KennedyB LabClean Creatives PledgeW+K & Fortescue Future Industries: The Power of NowW+K & Google DE: Every Decision CountsW+K & Ørsted: The Power of WindW+K & Ørsted: Hello to a Better FutureW+K & Corona: Oceans WeekW+K & Corona: The FishAn Inconvenient TruthYale Program on...

It feels fitting to start 2024 talking about the big numbers, the big climate financing gaps we face and ways to fill them. We know that addressing the climate crisis requires trillions of dollars of investment. It'll need to come from government, corporations, and big finance, but there's another stakeholder with an important contribution. Private philanthropic foundations have important roles to play too, particularly in helping communities that might otherwise be left behind and in using philanthropic capital as a catalyst. By de-risking investments and taking concessionary returns, philanthropy can unlock hundreds of billions of dollars of needed investment. Today, we're joined by Elizabeth Yee, who oversees Rockefeller Foundation's global programs, including its recent $1 billion commitment to climate change. I've gotten to work with the Rockefeller Foundation in a variety of partnerships over the years, and I've been impressed by how they recognize their ability to take a lead and help accelerate fields. Of course, it's interesting to remember the Foundation was initially funded by Standard Oil founder John D Rockefeller, something that Liz and I discuss in our conversation. In recent years, the Foundation has demonstrated real commitment to climate leadership. And even in the weeks following this interview, the Foundation announced that it will pursue a net-zero emissions target for its $6 billion endowment, making it the largest private US foundation to pursue a net-zero endowment to date. Liz and I talk about the Foundation's history in climate philanthropy, two different programs with billion-dollar plus commitments, how it works to catalyze other funding, the intersections of energy, food, health and economic opportunity and much, much more. Lots to learn and think about in this one. Here we go.In today's episode, we cover:[3:43] Elizabeth's background and history working on climate, along with her current role[7:15] Key elements of the Rockefeller Foundation's Climate Commitment [9:23] The Foundation's divestment from fossil fuels in its endowment and details about the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet[12:23] Reasons behind the significant commitment to climate and the timing of such a commitment[13:58] Overview of the billion-dollar commitment, including the main pillars and distribution across different climate priorities[16:35] The theory of change behind the Foundation's climate initiatives[19:36] The types of partners needed for the success of the initiatives[21:17] Influencing ideas and narratives[22:43] Selection process and priorities for initial grantees.[25:07] Grantees: Climate Mayors, C40, and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network[27:12] Insights into the Invest in Our Future Initiative and its significance[28:22] Grantees: Makerere University School of Public Health and University of the West Indies[30:32] Success for the foundation in committing significant resources to climate[32:00] The message for other investors or foundations considering a similar commitment[33:27] Elizabeth's outlook and hopefulness despite the existing financing gapsResources MentionedRockefeller FoundationPress Release: The Rockefeller Foundation Commits Over USD 1 Billion To Advance Climate Solutions

Happy New Year. It is the beginning of 2024 and I am excited to work along side you to achieve a greater future for our planet. On this preview episode I give you a glimpse into the upcoming topics of 2024.

There's a lot we can learn from nature. Processes that happen in nature keep resources in flow, by-products are used and contribute to the health of the ecosystem and there is no waste. Fallen leaves enrich the soil, photosynthesis produces oxygen for animals to breathe, and microorganisms decompose methane and carbon dioxide and produce PHP. Oh, not so familiar with that last example? Well, it's an important one to know about if you care about removing greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere or producing a sustainable replacement for plastics. Today we're joined by an entrepreneur who for 20 years has been working to harness this natural process to combat climate change, Mark Herrema, founder of Newlight. We talk about how Mark got into this space, how NewLight's technology works, its impact and business potential, insights to the broader carbon removal space, and much more. Lots to learn in this one. Enjoy!In today's episode, we cover:[3:19] Mark's journey to founding Newlight[6:44] Newlight & the problem it's aiming to solve [8:33] Overview of the air carbon production process[11:19] Characteristics & applications of air carbon[13:00] Newlight's business model & revenue sources[14:24] Products, partnerships, & insights into sales & growth[15:44] Utilizing protein byproducts of air carbon[17:00] Newlight's vision for reducing greenhouse gases[18:59] Thoughts on the emerging carbon market & its potential[21:00] Key challenges in the carbon reduction space[23:26] Regulatory environment, public investments & support programs[24:35] Newlight's future plans, challenges & scaling strategies[26:29] Aspirations for research in carbon capture & negative productsResources MentionedNewlightConnect with Mark HerremaConnect with Mark on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

As we all feel the impacts of climate change more and more each year, the need to invest in climate resilience becomes more and more clear. The World Bank estimates that by 2050, there'll be more than 1 billion climate refugees.It's not about choosing between solutions to dramatically cut emissions and investments that help communities prepare for and bounce back from climate events – we need them both to limit human suffering as well as geopolitical risks of destabilization caused by climate change. Today, we're joined by two leaders working to advance climate resilience. Nate Matthews is the CEO of the Global Resilience Partnership, an organization that supports research, policy and innovation to advance the world's resilience ecosystem. And Joshua Amponsem is the founder of the Green Africa Youth Organization and a Director of the Youth Climate Justice Fund. In this conversation, we talk about the state of the climate resilience field, inspiring examples of innovation, the case for investing in resilience, how young people, startups and big companies are all contributing, how resilience will be present at the upcoming COP28 conference and much more. Lots to learn and think about in this one. Here we go. In today's episode, we cover:[3:23] Nate's background & role[4:27] Joshua's background & role[6:20] Understanding climate resilience & its significance[8:17] Exploring the distinctions between resilience & adaptation[9:29] Joshua's perspective on the need for more resilience[11:58] Resilience efforts in the community & success stories[16:29] Identifying challenges & gaps in building resilience[20:15] Introduction to GRP & its role in addressing community needs[22:10] The potential impact of insufficient investment on mitigation efforts[23:30] Advocacy for investing in resilience[26:09] The investment case for supporting resilience efforts[30:50] Overview of the Resilient Agriculture Innovations Challenge[33:22] AI's role in resilience & innovations showcased in the challenge[34:51] Exciting & encouraging innovations in the current moment[38:41] Results and outcomes from the open innovation challenge[40:30] Resilience's presence at COP & goals for the upcoming yearResources MentionedGlobal Resilience PartnershipGreen Africa Youth OrganizationYouth Climate Justice FundCGIARGlobal Center on AdaptationConnect with Nathanial Matthews & Joshua AmponsemConnect with Nathanial on LinkedInConnect with Joshua on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In...

This episode focuses on impact investing and the particular approach of an impact investing firm based in Chicago named Impact Engine. Now that I've said the word impact four times, I should probably unpack the jargon. This class of investing aims to create direct, measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return. It's related to, but distinct from ESG investing, which doesn't necessarily have specific impact goals so much as it aims to avoid harm or risk by considering environmental, social and governance factors. Global impact investing has surpassed $1 trillion annually, and a top focus area is climate. According to a recent report by the Global Impact Investing Network, 74% of impact investors invest in climate action. So I was thrilled to zoom into the approach of one firm and learn about their climate investing strategy. Today we're joined by Impact Engine's Partner & Chief Investment Officer Priya Parrish, as well as Chris Wu, a Vice President who leads their environmental sustainability investments. We talk about Impact Engine's history, approach and investment thesis, it's portfolio of investments in climate funds and private companies – from food tech to mobility to energy efficiency, how they see the climate investment space today and what they see coming next year. Lots of great insights in this peek into the impact investing world. Enjoy. In today's episode, we cover:[4:06] Priya & Chris' background, roles & how they came to do the work they're doing.[5:01] What is Impact Engine & what sets it apart[8:11] Impact Engine's client base[8:47] Partnership with Alliance Bernstein & its significance[10:58] Impact Engine's investment thesis in climate explained[12:01] Assessing the current market for climate investors[13:43] Overview of invested funds & key criteria[18:16] Utilizing an impact side letter & impact metrics reporting[20:10] Relationships with larger venture & private equity funds[21:05] The motivations behind direct investments in companies[22:18] Spotlight on selected startups & their significance[23:27] Insights on the food waste startup space & future investment prospects[24:51] The goals & potential impact of Market Wagon[26:24] Circuit's impact & business potential[29:19] Brightcore Energy's role in energy efficiency & its importance in climate transition[30:59] Unique qualities of Brightcore Energy's team[32:11] Updates on Brightcore Energy's progress[33:50] Economic rationale behind the investment in Brightcore Energy[34:34] Identifying major opportunity drivers for climate tech in the upcoming year[38:00] Addressing blind spots and gaps in climate impact areas in the year aheadResources MentionedImpact EngineAlliance BernsteinMarket WagonCircuitBrightcore EnergyAfreshFull...

When it comes to big companies' sustainability commitments, I've long been impressed by Salesforce. They made sustainability a core company value and pledged to put the full power of their business behind protecting the planet. Hold your skepticism for a minute – this is more than just big promises. They achieved net zero residual emissions and transitioned to 100% renewable energy for their operations back in 2021. They're part of an effort to plant one trillion trees, and they've integrated helping other companies accelerate their own sustainability efforts into their core business through their Net Zero Cloud product. There's much more too and I won't try to capture it all, but central to their approach has also been leveraging their financial capital to accelerate climate progress. And that's what we'll focus on in this episode. Today we're joined by Salesforce's SVP of Philanthropy Naomi Morenzoni and the Partner of Salesforce Venture Impact Fund Claudine Emeott. We talk about Salesforce's history and strategy for using philanthropy and impact investing together to address climate change, some examples of recent investments and partnerships, how philanthropy can help derisk investments and bring more dollars to the table, how AI could be a game changer for climate and much more. Lots to learn and think about in this one. Here we go. In today's episode, we cover:[4:10] Naomi's role and objectives at Salesforce [4:50] Claudine's introduction and background [5:53] Launch and evolution of the Salesforce Venture Impact Fund [7:24] Evolution and approach to nonprofit support at Salesforce [9:33] Solving problems through philanthropy and impact investing [11:56] Example of Pano AI and its alignment with the fund [14:07] Investment in WeaveGrid [15:34] Leveraging Salesforce technology and market presence for portfolio companies [18:12] Philanthropic commitments and frameworks for impact evaluation [18:12] Contrasting focus areas between Naomi and Claudine [21:38] The state of climate philanthropy and the need for increased support [23:33] Introduction and purpose of the playbook [25:41] Financial instruments for climate initiatives and Salesforce's experience [26:38] Levers for climate finance[28:53] Five tips for readers to embark on their climate finance journey [30:37] $8.3 million in grants to climate justice and conservation organizations [33:45] Prospects for commitments to biodiversity and conservation [35:03] Partnerships and initiatives in climate justice [37:41] Supporting diverse teams in climate initiatives [40:26] Impact of AI on climate efforts [44:05] Current challenges in their work [45:50] Lessons from Salesforce's ambitious climate initiativesResources MentionedSalesforce: Environmental SustainabilitySalesforce Venture Impact FundSalesforce & Climate Policy Initiative: The Corporate Climate Finance PlaybookClimate Policy Initiative

Today we're joined by three team members of Braemar Energy Ventures, ESG Head Lori Collins, Partner Don Tappan, a Co-Founder and Managing Partner Bill Lese. I was excited to talk to the Braemar team because their firm has been investing in energy companies for over 20 years and have backed some early category-defining pioneers like ChargePoint and EnerNOC. Since they're investing in a wide range of companies driving the energy transition, they bring broad insights to today's climate tech opportunities as well historical lessons from the clean tech 1.0 years. We dive deep into three of their investments, offering insights to the carbon transformation market, applying AI to upgrade the grid and last but definitely not least, nuclear fusion. We talk about the trends in those spaces, why Braemar made the bets that they did, the ESG and impact considerations of their portfolio companies and much more. Enjoy.In today's episode, we cover:[2:25] Lori's role & work at Braemar[3:42] Don's role & work at Braemar[4:20] Bill's story & founding of Braemar[5:39] How is Braemar different today in talking about the energy transition[7:29] Learnings from the clean tech 1.0 years[9:00] Braemar's investment thesis[11:13] Learnings over a decade of investing in the space [12:35] ESG & impact both internally & with a portfolio[13:30] Helping portfolio companies reduce emissions & remove carbon [15:03] Profit pools & what spaces are seen as offering the best investment opportunities[17:54] CarbonFree & why Braemar invested[19:55] The state of the carbon transformation market & its future[23:27] Utilidata & why Braemar invested[26:36] AI for the grid[30:45] General Fusion[35:54] The timeframe for fusion[38:47] Predictions for the climate tech space in 2024 & what needs more attentionResources MentionedBraemar Energy VenturesChargePointEnerNOCCarbonFreeUtilidataGeneral FusionConnect with Lori Collins, Don Tappan & Bill LeseConnect with Lori on LinkedInConnect with Don on LinkedInConnect with Bill on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our Newsletter

The climate transition we're living through brings so many opportunities to rethink our infrastructure that it could easily be the entire focus of this podcast week after week. Today's episode focuses on a handful of those opportunities: converting waste into valuable upcycled materials, renewable energy infrastructure, biomass, biofuels and more. We're joined by Ben Hubbard, CEO of Nexus PMG, a company that advises and develops a wide range of infrastructure projects. They're a fascinating company, and as you'll hear, they're engineering sustainable solutions for everything from wood pellets to solar farms to dog food. They just received a $50m investment to accelerate their growth, and leading that round was another fascinating company Greenbacker Capital Management. Greenbacker is not just an investor but also owns and operates a portfolio of solar plants, wind farms, and battery storage systems. Greenbacker Principal Quinn Pasloske joins us as well for a conversation that sheds a lot of light on the opportunity to invest in the infrastructure we need to reduce emissions, eliminate waste and more. Enjoy.In today's episode, we cover:[3:26] Ben's background & role at Nexus PMG[4:30] Quinn's background & role at Greenbacker[6:35] Greenbacker's origins & unique market approach[8:04] Moving from fossil fuel projects to sustainability projects[9:43] Examples of Nexus PMG's projects[14:13] Nexus PMG's clients, investors & other groups[16:02] Greenbacker's investment in Nexus & the opportunity[19:07] Greenbacker as a strategic investor [20:33] What the $50M equity round will allow Nexus PMG to do[23:31] The opportunity around biomass for sustainable aviation fuel[27:08] The concerns around sequestration approaches[31:12] Other exciting investment spaces[36:26] The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, IRA & what else needs to happen from a policy perspective[40:46] What else will it take to scale low-carbon infrastructure projects to meet emission reduction targetsResources MentionedNexus PMGGreenbacker Capital ManagementConnect with Ben Hubbard & Quinn PasloskeConnect with Ben on LinkedInConnect with Quinn on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?

Heat pumps have gotten a lot of attention lately. They're one of the technologies most critical to electrifying buildings and removing our dependency on fossil fuels for heating and cooling. And, they're a technology that's taking off. Sales of heat pumps have grown by double digits for two years running. According to the Sustainability Trends Report published recently by Al Gore's investment firm Generation, heat pump sales In Europe grew by 50% and they're now outselling gas furnaces in the United States. But did you know there's more than one kind of heat pump? Today, we're joined by Kathy Hannun, Founder of Dandelion Energy, a geothermal startup that grew out of Google X and is now growing quickly. Kathy explains how heat pumps work, the difference between air source and geothermal heat pumps, the economics and experience for heat pump buyers, and much more. Whether you're a homeowner still relying on fossil fuels or simply interested in the future of buildings, this episode has a lot for you. Enjoy. In today's episode, we cover:[3:43] Kathy's background & she came to found Dandelion [4:46] Developing Dandelion at Google X, the spinout & the complexities[8:11] What heat pumps are, how they work & why they're important from a climate perspective[12:32] The user experience, performance, maintenance & operating costs for homeowners[14:16] Geothermal heat pumps: the difference between air source vs. ground source[17:01] How customers are thinking about the economics of investing in a heat pump[20:06] The longevity of HVAC systems & replacing them[24:07] Dandelion's focus on the US Northeast[26:08] Where geothermal heat pumps work from a technology perspective [27:09] How national incentives & policy changes have been helpful[28:07] The growth of the heat pump market[29:17] The biggest barriers for Dandelion & the market overall[32:23] The role of HVAC contractors[34:49] The next three to five years & what's next for DandelionResources MentionedDandelion EnergyGeneration: Sustainability Trends Report 2023Google XConnect with Kathy HannunConnect with Kathy on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?

This week, we're doing something a bit different outside of our typical interview format. This is a recap of New York Climate Week. I'll share some of my impressions and you'll hear from folks like Vice President Al Gore, California Senator Henry Stern, several friends, and fellow climate travelers. You'll hear some segments from sessions I attended and sometimes it might sound like you're actually there in a room full of people. If you hear an occasional cough or something, try to just think of it as getting closer to the experience of being there without any risk of coming home with COVID.Over 75,000 people kicked off the week by taking to the streets for the Climate March on September 17th. Over the ensuing week, thousands of people from around the world joined over 585 official Climate Week sessions and likely as many unofficial ones. I kicked off the week in a somewhat surreal way. I work for a company called NationSwell. We're an executive membership network and advisory that helps sustainability and other leaders take on bigger bets and be more successful. We were invited to bring some NationSwell members like Michael Komori, Chief Sustainability Officer of Starbucks, and joined Al Gore and other climate leaders in ringing the NASDAQ bell on Monday morning – which felt like a fitting start, as a question on everyone's minds is: “If capitalism is up for the challenge, will corporations lead the transformation needed to cut emissions?”In today's episode, we're hearing from:[1:34] Adam Lake, Climate Week NYC Lead of the Climate Group[2:34] Bonnie Gurry, Co-Founder of GreenPortfolio[5:15] Alex Wright Gladstein, Founder of Sphere[6:48] Nyla Mabro, New York Chapter of New Energy Nexus[7:18] Tom Chi, Founder of At One Ventures[8:54] Kirsten Snow Spalding, VP of the Investor Network at Ceres[10:45] Former US Vice President Al Gore[19:29] VP Al Gore on Climate TRACE[12:59] VP Al Gore on the state of climate progress[20:56] Katie Rae, CEO & Manager Partner of The Engine[22:51] Jeff Johnson, Managing Partner of Temasek[24:03] Clay Dumas, Founding Partner of Lowercarbon Capital[25:44] Clay Dumas on the unique opportunity for climate founders today[27:06] Ian Samuels, Founder & Managing Partner of New System Ventures[28:09] Colin le Duc, Founding Partner of Generation Investment Management[33:43] Dr. Vanessa Chan, Chief Commercialization Officer for the US Department of Energy and Director of the

When it comes to plastics, we're in a real bind. We have yet to develop and scale attractive alternatives to the petroleum-based plastic products we all use every day, and the plastics industry drives well over a billion tons of greenhouse gasses, that's roughly 4% of total global emissions and plastic-related emissions are on track to double by 2060. Meanwhile, a small fraction – we're talking less than 10% – of plastics are recycled. Creating a circular economy for plastics is vital to eliminating the flow of plastic waste into our environment and to reducing the emissions generated from creating new plastic products. Today's conversation focuses on an ambitious effort to catalyze and fund the systems change needed to get us there. Circulate Capital is working to unlock a billion dollars to invest in circular solutions, and its partner Circulate Initiative offers research and insights to track this space and help recruit more private and public investment in this space. We're joined by Ellen Martin, Circulate Capital's Chief Impact Officer, and Umesh Madhavan, Research Director for Circulate Initiative. We talk about the history and state of the plastics crisis, their current efforts, and the investment opportunities they see. Circulate has impressive momentum in building coalitions of different kinds of investors – from governments to Fortune 100 companies. This blended finance approach is surely a key to mobilizing the commitment we need, and I was grateful to learn so much about it through this conversation. Here we go. In today's episode, we cover:[3:18] Circulate Capital, Ellen's role & where they're based geographically[4:24] Circulate Initiatives & Umesh's role[5:24] How Circulate Capital & Circulate Initiatives are connected[6:56] The plastics problem & what's causing it[8:57] The plastics problem timeline[11:01] Overlaps between plastic pollution, climate, ocean health & circular solutions[13:04] Why Circulate Capital was established & what they're aiming to do [16:41] De-risking the investments using concessionary capital [19:08] Using a highly collaborative investment ecosystem to solve the plastic waste challenge[19:47] Circulate Capital's role & how it's focused[20:59] Working with LPs to scale circular solutions[23:24] What should we all know about the plastics economy & how it works[25:06] Asia & Latin America plastic markets[27:50] Breaking down $4B in investments in the circular economy for plastics[31:27] The greatest opportunities from an investment lens[34:15] What more needs to be done around the plastic waste problem[36:32] The Plastics Treaty, its state of play & what impact will it have[39:15] How plastic economies differ between Asia & Latin America[41:25] Investment opportunities in the US & Europe[43:25] Visions for the future of plasticResources MentionedCirculate CapitalCirculate InitiativeOECD: Plastic PollutionPew Charitable Trusts: Preventing Ocean Plastics

No matter who I talk to – whether startup founders, investors, or corporate sustainability leaders – when I ask what is needed to really move the needle on climate change, everyone always comes back to the to importance of policy change, of making climate an electoral issue and holding political leaders accountable to take bold action. There's no denying that in recent years one of the most important forces making bold climate action more of a priority, has been the voice of young people. Their cry for change and their committed activism has been impossible to ignore, and the policies they've fought for have gained real headway. In the United States, at the center of youth climate organizing is an organization named the Sunrise Movement. They've been around for less than a decade but have mobilized effectively and are credited for inspiring and advancing historic climate policies like the Inflation Reduction Act. Today we're joined by two leaders of the Sunrise Movement, Matthew Miles Goodrich and Aru Shiney-Ajay. Miles was one of the founders of the movement and leads fundraising. Aru has been involved since she was 19 and now leads Sunrise's strategy. They're both inspiring representatives of the bold vision and commitment that's made Sunrise so successful and that we all need to bring to climate work.In today's episode, we cover:[3:35] Miles' background, role with Sunrise & how he got involved[5:34] Aru's background, role with Sunrise & how she got involved[8:31] The origin & history of the Sunrise Movement[11:45] The reach that Sunrise has achieved & how it's been successful at getting young people involved in climate action[13:54] Why has Sunrise gathered so much momentum[17:00] How many people have been involved in Sunrise & how are they able to manage their volunteer army[19:31] Sunrise's wins & progress[21:55] Sunrise's role surrounding the Inflation Reduction Act and the impact of the IRA & other recent climate policies[27:57] Sunrise's current strategy & priorities[32:34] Why is declaring a climate emergency needed & what would it lead to[34:45] Sunrise's theory of change[37:44] The lawsuit against the state of Montana & implications of the case[39:45] Pivotal moments for climate & the progress being sought[41:20] Hopes for Climate Week[42:01] What else needs to happen to adequately address climate changeResources MentionedSunrise MovementSunrise Movement: Green New DealSunrise Movement: Declare a Climate EmergencyConnect with Matthew Miles Goodrich & Aru Shiney-AjayConnect with MilesConnected with AruConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our

When it comes to climate tech, there are a lot of new kids on the block, investors that have brought billions of dollars of new capital and have helped fund climate innovation we badly need. It's rare that you find folks who have been investing in climate tech for over a decade, let alone two decades. So I was thrilled to sit down with Neotribe's Swaroop Kolluri who goes by Kittu, a long-time climate investor who sees enormous opportunity in the intersection of different technologies. We talk about several of his investments – from solar to wave energy, to energy storage, to risk resilience – and more generally about the role of AI and other advanced technology in changing the game for climate tech. Lots to learn and think about in this one. Enjoy! In today's episode, we cover:[2:24] Neotribe & the opportunity to invest in climate right now[4:16] How is climate investing different today & what's exciting[7:50] Heliogen as an example of breakthrough climate tech[9:15] How is AI showing up in investment opportunities like CalWave[10:37] Opportunities beyond energy generation[12:24] Other opportunities for AI & climate tech[16:05] Other exciting technologies with transformative potential[20:31] Kittu's thoughts around time to market & types of risks [21:47][21:47] Kittu's leap to Neotribe from NEA[23:24] Gaps in the investment space & the type of capital needed[25:39] Recent federal investments & impacts on early-stage startups[27:04] What else needs to happen to support climate tech[29:10] Common barrier to startups[30:25] Advice for today's climate tech leadersResources MentionedNeotribeBloom EnergyNEAHeliogenIdealabCalWaveEnergy VaultMetalenzConnect with Swaroop ‘Kittu' KolluriConnect with Kittu on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!