The ZENERGY Podcast: Climate Leadership, Finance and Technology

Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast! As mentioned on last week's episode, host Karan Takhar recently had the pleasure of attending DC Climate Week where he sat down with several climate leaders. One of these leaders was Francesco Maria Graziani, Climate and Energy Counsellor and Delegation of the European Union to the United States. In this episode, they discuss Europe's clean energy goals, its take on critical materials and healthier supply chains, and its transatlantic partnership with the U.S. Francesco provides insight into the drafting of the European Commission's new renewable energy directive. They discuss how the energy approach in Europe has shifted since the Russia/Ukraine conflict and how Europe is filling in the gap in energy Russia used to supply. They also talk about how the geopolitical shift between the U.S. and the EU has impacted the approach to critical materials as well as how Europe is building and refining its own critical minerals processes. In fact, if you'd like to learn more about the European Commission's recent selection of 47 projects to support domestic raw critical materials, you can click on the link above or visit ec.europa.edu and search for the March 24, 2025 press release. Finally, we end with an optimistic outlook on where Europe is headed in its climate journey. Thanks so much for listening. Don't forget to hit that subscribe button!Credits:Editing/Graphics: Desta Wondirad, Wondir Studios

Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast! Karan recently had the pleasure of attending DC Climate Week where he sat down with today's guest, John Holm. John is Senior Vice President of Partnership Development at Pyxera Global, a company aiming to solve big problems one community at a time. They discuss what drew John into this line of work and how he transitioned to Pyxera Global. Then, Karan and John chat about the company's mission, how they have been able to engage the private sector in meaningful and effective ways, and how they are helping companies to unlock the mantra “reduce, reuse, repurpose” within their supply chain. We lean into the topic of critical minerals and discuss what changed in recent years to bring critical minerals to the forefront of policy and corporate strategy conversations. Then, we touch briefly on the role of tariffs and conclude with John's perspective on what success looks like for companies genuinely committed to circularity in 2030. Thanks for listening! Credits:Editing/Graphics: Desta Wondirad, Wondir Studios

Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast! On today's episode, host Karan Takhar sits down with Dan Thompson. Dan is a Principal Research Analyst covering datacenter services and sustainability at S&P Global Market Intelligence. Dan explains what datacenters are, how they have evolved over the years, the large impact they play in running the world, and how they will help take us into the future. Karan and Dan discuss the impact AI will have on datacenters and where the additional power needed to run them will come from. Then, they touch on the ways utility companies and grid operators can help and how hyperscalers contract supply. They delve into the criteria hyperscalers and datacenter developers look for when evaluating where to build new datacenters and assess what the most important considerations are for a new datacenter location and the data each facility will house. This is an immensely informative episode that we hope you'll love. Thanks so much for tuning in! Credits:Editing/Graphics: Desta Wondirad, Wondir Studios

Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast! Today, host Karan Takhar has the pleasure of speaking with Bradley Pischea, National Director of the Land and Liberty Coalition, which is part of the Conservative Energy Network. They sit down to discuss the work the Coalition is doing in advocating for clean and renewable energy policy and development from a right of center standpoint in states around the U.S. They touch on the reasons why Bradley believes clean energy became a partisan issue, how the conversation around clean energy and renewables has shifted over the years, and how the coalition uses a proactive versus reactive approach to communicating with citizens. Bradley and Karan discuss the concerns those in typically conservative communities have about the transition to clean energy in their areas and how developers can speak to community stakeholders in ways that factor in that community's specific needs. This episode highlights the importance of listening to the needs and concerns of those who may live in places that look vastly different from your own as we all strive towards a cleaner energy future. Credits:Editing/Graphics: Desta Wondirad, Wondir Studios

Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast! On today's episode, host Karan Takhar sits down with Lara Pierpoint, Managing Director of Trellis Climate, a program within Prime Coalition. Lara first gives a brief overview of how Trellis Climate came to be, shares how she and Prime Coalition Executive Director, Sarah Kearney, merged their two nonprofits to become Trellis Climate, and touches on the mission of the program. Karan and Lara touch on what types of projects Trellis focuses on and where they see that they fit in the capital stack. They discuss the gap Trellis Climate is aiming to fill in the market, how they are supporting entrepreneurs as they navigate the current political environment, and how philanthropy is stepping up and providing capital in new ways. Lara shares what criteria Trellis looks for when determining who and what to invest in and gives details about her day-to-day responsibilities. If you'd like to learn more about Prime Coalition, you can check out their website at www.primecoalition.org. Credits:Editing/Graphics: Desta Wondirad, Wondir Studios

Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast! On today's episode, host Karan Takhar, sits down with Heidi Binko, Co-Founder and CEO of Just Transition Fund. They begin with an overview of JTF, the work they are doing in coal communities around the U.S., and a summary of the broader energy landscape. Then, they discuss what happens to a local economy when their coal plant shuts down and how JTF works to support these communities during a time of transition. Heidi and Karan chat about what's driving coal out of these communities, what strategies JTF employs to reach the hardest hit communities, and what conversations they are having with community members. JTF has helped secure over $2 billion in grants and other assistance and has also aided in connecting coal communities across the nation so they can share what they have done to grow their economy. They touch briefly on federal funding, why investments such as the IRA and the CHIPS Act may not have landed with people in these communities as well as what impact the current federal funding freeze has on energy projects. Finally, Heidi shares her excitement for JTF's 10-year anniversary. Be sure to listen through to the end of the episode for ways you can get involved with JTF or visit their website justfundtransition.org.Resources: What does 'just transition' really mean?, Canary Media, 2022Fossil Fuel-Producing Communities Face a 'Cumulative Burden' of Pollution, Poor Health and Job Loss in the US, World Resources Institute, 2023 American Made: What Happens to People When Work Disappears a book by Farah StockmanCredits:Editing/Graphics: Desta Wondirad, Wondir Studios

Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast! Today, host Karan Takhar has the pleasure of speaking with Alex Kizer, Executive Vice President of the EFI Foundation. They discuss his background and how his dad inspired him to get involved in the clean energy sector, as well as the mission of EFI Foundation and his role within the company. Alex mentions that during 2024 he helped design a demand-side program for the regional clean hydrogen hubs. They discuss this program, his work alongside the DOE, and how the change in administration might affect that work. Alex shares his thoughts on handling uncertainty and gives insight into what to do as the DOE and the new administration decide on their funding priorities. Credits:Editing/Graphics: Desta Wondirad, Wondir Studios

Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast! Today, host Karan Takhar has the pleasure of sitting down with Erika Reinhardt, Executive Director, Co-Founder and Board Director for Spark Climate Solutions. This is a jam-packed episode. They discuss the origin of Spark Climate Solutions, the launching of the company, and how Erika met her business partner. We learnabout the sabbatical Erika took to focus on climate more deeply and how that led into her work at Spark. We also discover how Spark sources opportunities, where the funding comes from, and how to get in touch if you'd like to receive a Spark grant. Additionally, Erika touches on the leadership and management principles she's taken across her work in elections, tech, and climate and the advice she'd give to those just starting out in their careers. We conclude with Erika's vision for Spark over the next 5 years. Credits:Editing/Graphics: Desta Wondirad, Wondir Studios

Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast! On today's episode, host Karan Takhar has the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Vanessa Chan, Former Chief Commercialization Officer and Director of the Office of Technology Transitions at the U.S. Department of Energy and current Vice-Dean of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Chan and I speak about the genesis of the Liftoff Reports and how the mantra the DOE has – ‘private sector led, government enabled' – encourages the private sector to invest in early-stage technologies. They chat briefly about the pathway to commercial liftoff for various technologies and the challenges that come up as those technologies aim to reach widespread adoption. Dr. Chan shares insights she's gleaned throughout her inspiring career and the advice she would have given herself 5 and 15 years into her professional life. Credits: Editing/Graphics: Desta Wondirad, Wondir Studios

Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast! On today's episode host Karan Takhar speaks with Jamila Yamani who is the Director of Climate and Energy at Salesforce. They begin by touching on the intersection of AI and sustainability, and Jamila sets the stage for us regarding Salesforce's new platform, Agentforce. They then launch into Jamila's day-to-day role and how Salesforce looks at tackling sustainability, including their attempt to drive down their Scope 3 emissions. They discuss the conversations they have with their suppliers and what ultimately drives Saleforce's desire to lower their emissions. The interview is concluded with some fantastic advice from Jamila to young professionals and to her younger self.Credits:Editing/Graphics: Desta Wondirad, Wondir Studios

Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast! Host Karan Takhar sits down with Terry Paule, CEO of Botanical Water Technologies to discuss how he stumbled into the idea of turning fruit and vegetable waste into water, just how much water can be extracted from these fruits and vegetables, and how vital it is for communities in need. They look at the average amount of water a single person uses to drink and cook on any given day and how Microsoft has teamed up with Botanical Water Technologies to create 60 million liters of water to gift to communities as a way to offset the water they are using in data centers. Terry shares what you and I can do to help support the mission of bringing clean water and sanitation to those in need and lets us in on some staggering statistics, including how 40% of the world does not have access to clean water at any given point. If you'd like to learn ways you can help with such a pressing and important need, visit www.wegrowwater.com for more information about Botanical Water Technologies' efforts. Credits:Editing/Graphics: Desta Wondirad, Wondir Studios

This episode was recorded on November 18, 2024.Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast! Today, host Karan Takhar sits down for a chat with Founding Executive Editor of Cipher, Amy Harder. Cipher is supported by Breakthrough Energy as an education initiative focusing on reporting on climate solutions across the climate and energy fields. As Executive Editor, Amy shares what drew her to reporting on energy and climate, what her journalism process looks like, and ultimately, what her vision is for Cipher. Karan and Amy discuss how Cipher decides which topics to cover, how they are able to focus on being objective while still bringing awareness to the climate problem, and how they make difficult technical topics digestible to a more general audience. Amy gives her perspective on how President Trump's second presidency might impact the climate field. And, finally, she shares advice for those hoping to become journalists in the climate and energy sector.If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, be sure to do so, and follow us on all the socials. New episodes go out every Thursday.Listen to The Zenergy Podcast:   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HEZXoEfuDa548Ty81gBWN    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-zenergy-podcast-climate-leadership-finance/id1556215421Follow The Zenergy Podcast on all the socials:   X (Twitter): @TakharK2   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Znrg.org   Instagram: @zen_rgy   LinkedIn: ZNRG   YouTube: ZNRG – The ZENERGY PodcastConnect with Amy:https://www.ciphernews.com/topics/cleantech-tracker https://www.ciphernews.com/articles/with-donald-trump-victory-here-are-his-energy-and-climate-positions/ https://kffhealthnews.org/ Timestamps:0:00 - Intro 1:10 - Welcome1:50 - How outdoor hobbies impact Amy's passion for climate4:10 - Cross-country skiing5:35 - What initially drew Amy to climate journalism8:25 - Amy's journalism process10:30 - The importance of building trust12:15 - Amy's role as Executive Editor13:30 - The process of deciding which stories are covered16:30 - How the new administration will impact the climate field18:50 - How will the Inflation Reduction Act be impacted21:15 - Amy's vision for Cipher23:25 -  How Amy keeps track of climate developments on a global level27:00 - Kaiser Health News28:40 - How Cipher can be objective and bring awareness to the climate problem31:40 - How Cipher makes complex topics relatable to a wide audience35:55 - Shifts in the audience's priorities over time37:50 - Advice and insights41:20 - How Amy's career was shaped Credits:Editing/Graphics: Desta Wondirad, Wondir Studios

Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast! Today, Karan sits down with Jason Hochman, Co-Founder and Executive Director at Direct Air Capture Coalition to discuss the genesis of DACC as well as what the early days of getting the company off the ground looked like and the four pillars they operate under. They dive into how to engage with policy makers and how the inflation reduction act and infrastructure bill assist in building up the direct air capture industry. Jason walks us through a few direct air capture projects to explain exactly how this process happens and shares why it's important we include direct air capture in our climate solution plans. Finally, Jason lets us in on the place that has had the biggest impact on his environmental perspective. If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, be sure to do so, and follow us on all the socials. New episodes go out every Thursday.Listen to The Zenergy Podcast:   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HEZXoEfuDa548Ty81gBWN    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-zenergy-podcast-climate-leadership-finance/id1556215421Follow The Zenergy Podcast on all the socials:   X (Twitter): @TakharK2   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Znrg.org   Instagram: @zen_rgy   LinkedIn: ZNRG   YouTube: ZNRG – The ZENERGY PodcastConnect with Jason:   https://daccoalition.org/  Extantia Capital Article: "Will Direct Air Capture Ever Be Affordable? The Rise of DAC 3.0"Timestamps:0:00 - Intro 0:20 - Welcome 1:30 - What Jason would be doing if he never started DACC3:20 - Origin of DACC10:30 - The early days of DACC14:30 - What does it look like to participate in the coalition 17:45 - DACC's 4 strategic pillars25:05 - How legislation has helped DACC30:45 - Details on carbon removal projects37:50 - Targets for DACC technologies 42:50 - How the election outcome will impact DACC45:20 - Why some in the climate community are not supporters of DACC50:00 - Antarctica52:05 - The place that has had the biggest impact on JasonCredits:Editing/Graphics: Desta Wondirad, Wondir Studios

This episode was recorded on September 25, 2024.Welcome toThe Zenergy Podcast! Today, Karan has the pleasure of sitting down with Ben Rubin, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Carbon Business Council. They start off by chatting briefly about his 5,000-mile bus tour for the 2018 Global Climate Action Summit then dive into the genesis behind Carbon Business Council. Next, Karan and Ben look at the building of his team and board as well as the various work streams within the organization. They then turn toward a report CBC released that focuses on the intersection between utilities and carbon removal and how these two can interact. Ben provides insight into how his company engages with policy makers and what hopes he has for policy continuing to build up the carbon removal market.If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, be sure to do so, and follow us on all the socials. New episodes go out every Thursday.Listen toThe Zenergy Podcast:   Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5HEZXoEfuDa548Ty81gBWN    Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-zenergy-podcast-climate-leadership-finance/id1556215421FollowThe Zenergy Podcast on all the socials:   X (Twitter): @TakharK2   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Znrg.org   Instagram: @zen_rgy   LinkedIn: ZNRG   YouTube:ZNRG – The ZENERGY PodcastConnect with Ben:https://www.carbonbusinesscouncil.org/news/cdrpolicyguidehttps://www.carbonbusinesscouncil.orghttps://carbonfix.org/news/ Timestamps:0:00 - Intro 0:55 - Welcome1:15 - 5,000 mile bus tour with Global Climate Action Summit5:00 - Origin of the Carbon Business Council7:05 - The importance of collaboration 8:30 - Early days of the Carbon Business Council11:50 - How Ben put together his team 14:05 - Overview of the Carbon Business Council16:00 - Top 3 takeaways of CBC training 17:00 - Carbon Removal Policy Guide18:40 - How utility companies are taking advantage of carbon removal technology 22:00 - The opportunities within the carbon removal industry 24:20 - The energy within the carbon removal space 28:00 - The process of engaging policy holders 32:30 - The economics of carbon removal 35:00 - British Airways partnership 36:20 - Characteristics of successful startups38:00 - Advice for those getting involved 39:30 - Fun factCredits:Editing/Graphics: Desta Wondirad, Wondir Studios

Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast! Today, Karan sits down with Andrew Herscowitz, CEO of the Mission 300 Accelerator established by the Rockefeller Catalytic Capital at the Rockefeller Foundation. They discuss Andrew's impressive career as well as how the M300 accelerator originated. Then, they look at what some of the biggest challenges to achieving electricity access for 300 million Africans by 2030 are and how they plan to address these challenges. Plus, they talk through blending renewable energy technologies with productive use appliances. Andrew shares how listening to those who are on the ground is key to being successful and gives his advice for those just starting out in their careers and hoping to progress in the international space. They also discuss how Andrew's team mediates between governments and the private sector when it comes to foreign investments as well as ways Andrew believes more private capital could be unleashed into the African markets. If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, be sure to do so, and follow us on all the socials. New episodes go out every Thursday. Listen to The Zenergy Podcast:    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HEZXoEfuDa548Ty81gBWN     Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-zenergy-podcast-climate-leadership-finance/id1556215421 Follow The Zenergy Podcast on all the socials:   X (Twitter): @TakharK2    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Znrg.org    Instagram: @zen_rgy    LinkedIn: ZNRG    YouTube: ZNRG – The ZENERGY Podcast Connect with Andrew:   https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/initiatives/mission-300/ Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro  0:20 - Welcome  1:05 - Lightning round! Favorite time period, favorite song, etc.  6:40 - Original idea for M300 Accelerator 10:30 - Biggest challenges in getting electricity to remote areas  11:40 - How to help people overcome economic challenges  16:20 - How M300 supports the work of World Bank and the African Development Bank  20:20 - It is most important to work with the communities, and have people on the ground 22:50 - Renewable energy project in South Africa  24:10 - Wind farm project in Kenya  32:40 - Ways that more private sector money can be given to these markets 35:50 - Being the intermediary between the private and public sectors  40:30 - Advice and key takeaways  44:20 - Importance of listening and building partnerships with others  Credits: Editing: Desta Wondirad, Wondir Studios

This episode was recorded on November 15, 2024. Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast! Today, host, Karan Takhar speaks with Doreen Harris, President and CEO of NYSERDA, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. To begin, Doreen shares her vision for the future and what role NYSERDA will play in achieving that vision. In addition, Doreen and Karan discuss the challenges that may arise as New York aims towards reaching their many important, renewable energy goals. They briefly chat about the South Fork Wind Project, the first commercial scale offshore wind project in the U.S., and Doreen gives the lessons she's learned that other states could apply to their own large-scale infrastructure verticals. Finally, Doreen shares advice for those uncertain periods and advice to young professionals just starting out in their careers. If you like the episode, be sure to subscribe to the podcast for more great climate and renewable energy themed episodes.

Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast! On today's episode, Karan interviews Kate Kelly, Chief of Staff at Avalanche Fusion. They begin with a brief overview of nuclear fusion and why it's considered a potential game changer for global energy systems then discuss important metrics Avalanche Fusion has been reaching lately, the equipment they use, and how the “test, fail, fix” model used at places like Blue Origin works for them. Karan and Kate also discuss the major barriers to commercializing nuclear fusion, how the company navigates funding and investment among high costs for research, and how the public's view of technologies that fall under the nuclear umbrella has changed over the years. Kate shares resources and ways anyone can learn more about fusion, how she envisions fusion impacting the global market in the next 10 years, and what excites her about where Avalanche Fusion is now and where they are going.  If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, be sure to do so, and follow us on all the socials. New episodes go out every Thursday. Listen to The Zenergy Podcast:    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HEZXoEfuDa548Ty81gBWN     Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-zenergy-podcast-climate-leadership-finance/id1556215421 Follow The Zenergy Podcast on all the socials:   X (Twitter): @TakharK2    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Znrg.org    Instagram: @zen_rgy    LinkedIn: ZNRG    YouTube: ZNRG – The ZENERGY Podcast Connect with Kate: https://avalanchefusion.com/    https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2346410       https://www.cleantechalliance.org/cleantech-events/seattle-fusion-week/       https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/event/seattle-fusion-week-2024/  Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro  0:55 - Welcome 2:25 - Overview of nuclear fusion 6:50 - Test, fail, fix - how Avalanche Fusion is working to put fuel in conditions where fusion will occur for as long as possible 12:40 - Balance between technology and cost  16:35 - Major barriers to commercializing nuclear fusion 19:20- Navigating funding and investment challenges 20:50 - Misconceptions/public perception around nuclear technologies; how clean power can change communities 29:00 - How fusion will impact the global energy market in the next 10 years 30:45 - Q > 1; the fusion reaction produces more energy than it is consuming 32:35 - How to learn about nuclear fusion 36:25 - Exciting things about the Avalanche team 39:10 - AI applications that could develop fusion technology  40:45 - Kate's advice to young professionals

Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast! On today's episode, Karan interviews Joel Armin-Hoiland, Founder and CEO of Climate Finance Solutions. They start off with an overview of the work CFS is doing followed by a look into Joel's background and the origin story behind the company. Then, they discuss what's driven the growth of the grant funding ecosystem in recent years, what elements of a grant proposal are most compelling to funders, and how companies can position themselves well to be able to achieve a high probability of success in receiving funding. They also talk about how early-stage ventures can be competitive in terms of being awarded grants, how networking and partnerships benefit entrepreneurs looking for funding, and Joel shares his thoughts on if the election and a possible change in administration could impact the grant funding ecosystem. If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, be sure to do so, and follow us on all the socials. New episodes go out every Thursday. Listen to The Zenergy Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HEZXoEfuDa548Ty81gBWN Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-zenergy-podcast-climate-leadership-finance/id1556215421 Follow The Zenergy Podcast on all the socials: X (Twitter): @TakharK2 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Znrg.org Instagram: @zen_rgy LinkedIn: ZNRG YouTube: ZNRG – The ZENERGY Podcast Connect with Joel: https://www.climatefinancesolutions.com/ Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 0:40 - Welcome 1:36 - Overview of Joel's work 6:10 - The origin story of Climate Finance Solutions 11:00 - What has driven the growth of climate grant funding 13:30 - How the election may impact the grant funding ecosystem 17:30 - How do public organizations and government-adjacent organizations impact the climate finance world? 22:15 - Can early-stage ventures realistically win grants? 26:50 - How companies can format their proposals to have a better chance of receiving a grant 34:00 - How to network/form relationships with grant companies 37:45 - Joel's advice to those wanting to access grant funding

Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast! Today, Karan sits down with Paul Straub, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Wireframe Ventures. To start, Paul shares his journey to co-founding Wireframe Ventures and the learnings they had while building their very first fund. He then discusses how they were able to raise a fund at a time when clean tech 1.0 had just happened, how raising funds has evolved over time, and where the landscape of the VC climate funds is headed. Karan and Paul also talk about how Wireframe Ventures sources opportunities, what the company looks for in founders, and how they determine if an investment opportunity is right for them. Lastly, Paul shares his advice for early career professionals looking to get into the VC climate space.  If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, be sure to do so, and follow us on all the socials. New episodes go out every Thursday. Listen to The Zenergy Podcast:    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HEZXoEfuDa548Ty81gBWN     Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-zenergy-podcast-climate-leadership-finance/id1556215421 Follow The Zenergy Podcast on all the socials:   X (Twitter): @TakharK2    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Znrg.org    Instagram: @zen_rgy    LinkedIn: ZNRG    YouTube: ZNRG – The ZENERGY Podcast Connect with Paul:    https://www.wireframevc.com/  Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 0:55 - Welcome  2:30 - What is Wireframe Ventures?  2:50 - Paul's journey to co-founding Wireframe Ventures 6:20 - What Paul learned from Clean Tech 1.0, and why he thought there was still potential after the crash 13:50 - How Paul raised his fund in 2016 and 2022 18:30 - How Paul sources investment opportunities 22:15 - How Paul evaluates investment opportunities 27:00 - How does Paul see climate investment evolving over the next few years?  31:45 - How young people can break into venture capital 34:45 - Paul's best piece of advice

Thanks for tuning into The Zenergy Podcast! Today, Karan Takhar sits down with Kristin Barbato, Co-Founder and President of Dynamo Energy Hub. They discuss the launching of Dynamo Energy Hub, how it survived the pandemic, what the company does and how they do it, and how this has evolved over time. They talk about the scale of the company, their business model, the Dynamo Deal Flow program, the various events they put on, and how to get in touch if you're an entrepreneur or investor. Kristin gives guidance to early-stage entrepreneurs and shares the most surprising deal she's seen come out of a Dynamo Energy Hub event. She also gives her perspective on where she expects the clean energy industry to go over the next few years and shares her thoughts on the role utilities will play in the energy transition. Karan and Kristin then play a fun lighting round to cap off the episode, and Kristin discloses the one word she would use to describe the future of energy.  If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, be sure to do so, and follow us on all the socials. New episodes go out every Thursday. Listen to The Zenergy Podcast:    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HEZXoEfuDa548Ty81gBWN     Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-zenergy-podcast-climate-leadership-finance/id1556215421 Follow The Zenergy Podcast on all the socials:   X (Twitter): @TakharK2    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Znrg.org    Instagram: @zen_rgy    LinkedIn: ZNRG    YouTube: ZNRG – The ZENERGY Podcast Connect with Kristin:      dynamoenergyhub.com      Instagram: @dynamoenergyhub Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 0:43 - Welcome 2:15 - Jiu Jitsu 5:40 - Guidance to entrepreneurs  7:15 - What Kristin wished she had known 6 years ago 8:50 - Dynamo's covid story 13:20 - What has Dynamo done 15:40 - The scale of Dynamo today - latest statistics 18:15 - How Dynamo has evolved over time 21:00 - Companies that have developed out of Dynamo events 22:05 - Tactics to make the most out of the Dynamo experience 24:00 - The Dynamo business mode 25:00 - How Kristin got the funding to start Dynamo 25:45 - Where does Kristin expect the industry to go in the future? 31:25 - Clean energy technologies 35:30 - The role of utilities in the energy transition 40:05 - Advice for entrepreneurs who want to partner with utilities 42:50 - Lightning round

Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast! On today's episode, host Karan Takhar speaks with Brian DiMarino, Deputy Director of Global Sustainability at J.P. Morgan. They discuss J.P. Morgan's new all-electric HQ building and all its sustainability features, they talk about the power purchase agreements J.P. Morgan is making, and discuss navigating the balance of financial benefits with sustainability benefits, as well as what inspired Brian's shift from the real estate side to the sustainability side. Then, Brian and Karan chat about exciting, new technologies J.P. Morgan is keeping its eye on, its partnership with Climeworks, the economics of nuclear power, and Brian lets us know what title he'd give his memoir if he were to write one.  If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, be sure to do so, and follow us on all the socials. New episodes go out every Thursday. Listen to The Zenergy Podcast:    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HEZXoEfuDa548Ty81gBWN     Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-zenergy-podcast-climate-leadership-finance/id1556215421 Follow The Zenergy Podcast on all the socials:   X (Twitter): @TakharK2    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Znrg.org    Instagram: @zen_rgy    LinkedIn: ZNRG    YouTube: ZNRG – The ZENERGY Podcast Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro  0:30 - Welcome 1:30 - JP Morgan's new HQ building sustainability features 6:30 - Getting green power to NYC 7:50 - Challenges with power purchase agreements 11:35 - Benefits in terms of cost and savings in power purchase agreements 13:45 - What inspired Brian's shift from real estate to sustainability  17:15 - What does Brian's day to day look like 19:00 - Brian's Kansas City trip 22:00 - Challenges with finance vs. sustainability 27:40 - Exciting upcoming technologies 32:20 - The cost of nuclear power 34:45 - Economics of carbon technologies 37:35 - Advice to climate professionals 41:50 - What would the title of Brian's book be about his career

Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast! Today, host Karan Takhar speaks with Mona E. Dajani, Global Co-Chair of Energy Infrastructure & Hydrogen and Co-Chair of the Energy Sector at Baker Botts. They discuss her career journey, what drew her to the energy sector, and how she creates deal structures for large scale renewable projects. Mona then walks us through one of the most challenging and rewarding deals she's worked on and gives advice to lawyers and developers navigating their own deals. Karan and Mona discuss the soft skills needed to do the job and how to figure out what the other side wants. They dig into the Inflation Reduction Act and how the tax credits and incentives help and challenge deal structures. And, finally, Mona shares her advice for the next generation of leaders in the clean energy space.  If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, be sure to do so, and follow us on all the socials. New episodes go out every Thursday. Listen to The Zenergy Podcast:    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HEZXoEfuDa548Ty81gBWN     Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-zenergy-podcast-climate-leadership-finance/id1556215421 Follow The Zenergy Podcast on all the socials:   X (Twitter): @TakharK2    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Znrg.org    Instagram: @zen_rgy    LinkedIn: ZNRG    YouTube: ZNRG – The ZENERGY Podcast Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro  1:05 - Welcome 2:25 - What drew Mona to the energy sector 3:20 - Emerging technologies that have the potential to revolutionize the energy sector  6:05 - Challenges of creating deals for large-scale environmental projects  9:30 - Creating a deal between 9 different companies  11:50 - Advice to lawyers and developers who are navigating complex deals 14:45 - The importance of getting the best legal help you can get 17:15 - Ways to get money for your company  18:40 - How to deduce what companies value 19:40 - How the Inflation Reduction Act has altered the landscape 21:35 - How current laws can be amended to help developers 25:30 - Exciting future of the energy space

Thanks for tuning into The Zenergy Podcast! On today's episode, Karan sits down with Pete Schork, Principal at Broadscale Group. Pete and Karan start off with a fun lightning round of questions leading into his role at Broadscale, how he sources investment opportunities, and an explanation of Broadscale's mission: “Disruption for good.” They discuss how Broadscale balances the “disruption” part of their mission while ensuring their investments drive positive outcomes, Pete shares examples of companies they have invested in that have driven positive outcomes, including M-KOPA and Arcadia, and they talk about Broadscale's unique model of working with corporate partners to source deals. Karan and Pete discuss red flags young investors should be aware of, what magic ingredient helps climate startups thrive, how startups can pivot when things aren't going as planned, and the soft skills Pete looks for in great team members. They conclude with the markets Pete has his eye on right now, his thoughts on policy amidst the upcoming election, and the advice he would give his younger self.  If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, be sure to do so, and follow us on all the socials. New episodes go out every Thursday. Listen to The Zenergy Podcast:    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HEZXoEfuDa548Ty81gBWN     Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-zenergy-podcast-climate-leadership-finance/id1556215421 Follow The Zenergy Podcast on all the socials:   X (Twitter): @TakharK2    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Znrg.org    Instagram: @zen_rgy    LinkedIn: ZNRG    YouTube: ZNRG – The ZENERGY Podcast Connect with Pete:      https://www.broadscale.com/  Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro  0:53 - Welcome 2:30 - Lightning round - Broadscale's theme song, which historical figure Pete would have join Broadscale 6:30 - The growth of solar power over the last 10 years  8:50 - Pete and Andrew's (working for Green Order) first meeting  11:25 - How Pete and Andrew began sourcing investment opportunities 12:50 - How does Broadscale ensure positive outcomes  13:50 - M-Kopa  17:20 - Arcadia 21:00 - The benefits of working with Broadscale Group  22:45 - Broadscale Group is unique 23:55 - Corporates that Broadscale Group is engaging with  24:45 - How to be an effective climate investor  28:17 - Red flags and warning signs young investors should be mindful of 30:30 - The “magic ingredient” that helps climate start-ups thrive 32:50 - Via Transportation and the importance of pivoting  36:00 - Soft skills that make a good team 39:20 - Exciting upcoming projects 41:00 - How does the current political landscape impact Broadscale Group 44:00 - Career advice to young Pete

Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast. Today, host Karan Takhar sits down with Jon Glass, Senior Technology-to-Market Advisor at the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy or ARPA-E. They discuss his role at ARPA-E and how the opportunity to work there came about as well as what inspired him to do this kind of work. Jon shares an overview of ARPA-E's process, how companies or academics can get involved, and how much weight ARPA-E puts on which early-stage companies have the most potential to bridge the gap from bold research to commercialization. They go on to discuss how ARPA-E brings in private sector advisors, like Jon, to help companies get to commercialization, and Jon shares several surprising and unconventional innovations he and his co-workers have supported over the years. Karan and Jon talk about the convergence of AI and the climate tech space, the hard lessons Jon's learned in his career, and Jon gives advice to young investors looking to engage in this sector. If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, be sure to do so, and follow us on all the socials. New episodes go out every Thursday. Listen to The Zenergy Podcast:    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HEZXoEfuDa548Ty81gBWN     Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-zenergy-podcast-climate-leadership-finance/id1556215421 Follow The Zenergy Podcast on all the socials:   X (Twitter): @TakharK2    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Znrg.org    Instagram: @zen_rgy    LinkedIn: ZNRG    YouTube: ZNRG – The ZENERGY Podcast Connect with Jon: https://liftoff.energy.gov/  Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro  2:00 - Welcome 3:15 - What is ARPA-E? 5:15 - How Jon started working with ARPA-E 8:30 - Jon's experience in working with early-stage clean-tech companies 12:30 - Details about ARPA-E's funding opportunities 18:00 - The process of reaching out to ARPA-E for funding  19:50 - Anyone can make a proposal for funding 26:10 - Qualities of companies that have a lot of potential 32:30 - ARPA-E program directors 34:23 - ARPA-E tech-to-market team  37:00 - Bowtie model  42:08 - Pathways to commercial liftoff 43:50 - ARPA-E employees' private sector experience, and why they switch to public service 46:30 - Unconventional innovations - geologic hydrogen, powerline undergrounding, applying quantum computing to energy 53:15 - Convergence of AI and climate tech 57:20 - Advice to young investors  1:01:13 - Have a “connector” mindset 01:04:35 - Red flags in early companies that young investors should be mindful of 01:07:15 - Lessons learned

Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast! Today, Karan interviews Rob Day, Co-Founder of Spring Lane Capital. Rob and Karan discuss how Rob and his partner founded Spring Lane Capital, what the process was like raising the first fund, and how the company bridges investment gaps in the market. They start of with a lighthearted lightning round of questions then continue with the origin story of Spring Lane Capital and lead into a breakdown of the types of financing rounds entrepreneurs go through. They also discuss how Spring Lane Capital blends project finance with growth capital, talk about the typical ticket size of investments they make, and Rob walks through the steps they took when investing in Atlas Organics. Please enjoy our conversation with Rob Day.  If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, be sure to do so, and follow us on all the socials. New episodes go out every Thursday.  Listen to The Zenergy Podcast:    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HEZXoEfuDa548Ty81gBWN     Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-zenergy-podcast-climate-leadership-finance/id1556215421 Follow The Zenergy Podcast on all the socials:   X (Twitter): @TakharK2    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Znrg.org    Instagram: @zen_rgy    LinkedIn: ZNRG    YouTube: ZNRG – The ZENERGY Podcast Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro  1:30 - Welcome 2:05 - Lighting round of questions - what Rob would do if he were not in climate, what historical figure Rob would have as a dinner guest, hidden talents, etc.  9:30 - How can we look at history to inform us about today 11:20 - How to inspire great change in the market 12:30 - The origin story of Spring Lane Capital 17:25 - The process of fund-raising  19:00 - The investor markets in the US vs. Canada  21:15 - It's been difficult to raise funds in 2024  23:20 - Entrepreneurial funding model  25:30 - The structure of venture capital  29:40 - Transition points in business-funding  32:00 - Hybrid capital project model  33:40 - Typical SLC investment sizes  36:20 - The investing story of Atlas Organics  41:10 - How SLC found Atlas Organics and the importance of networking  44:00 - The downsides of venture capital  46:00 - What Rob has learned through mentorship  48:30 - Climate investing is an execution game, not an invention game 50:20 - Final thoughts 

Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast. Today, Karan speaks with Amanda Leland, Executive Director at the Environmental Defense Fund. They talk about her work at the EDF, including what inspires her to stay at the organization for as long as she has, and they discuss the advice she'd give herself at various increments throughout her career journey. They discuss the launching of MethaneSAT, the genesis of the project, and the exciting data it will soon provide. Amanda gives insight on how the EDF is navigating the uncertain political landscape, and she also shares what future breakthroughs she can't wait to happen. They wrap up with a very fun lightning round, so be sure to stick around until the end of the episode to hear that. If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, be sure to do so, and follow us on all the socials. New episodes go out every Thursday.  Listen to The Zenergy Podcast:    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HEZXoEfuDa548Ty81gBWN     Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-zenergy-podcast-climate-leadership-finance/id1556215421 Follow The Zenergy Podcast on all the socials:   X (Twitter): @TakharK2    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Znrg.org    Instagram: @zen_rgy    LinkedIn: ZNRG    YouTube: ZNRG – The ZENERGY Podcast Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 0:38 - Welcome 1:25 - Why Amanda has stayed at EDF for 20 years 3:58 - Amanda's EDF origin story  5:54 - Advice for those working in environmentalism  8:42 - Turning points/”Aha!” moments 11:10 - MethaneSAT 16:20 - How to engage with stakeholders 19:15 - Leadership  22:15 - Tactics for managing a global organization 24:20 - How Amanda avoids jetlag, and how employees of EDF avoid burnout 27:00 - Book recommendations   30:10 - How EDF navigates political shifts 35:10 - EDF's role in enforcing EPA rules  37:30 - Amanda's hopes for the future 39:08 - The ocean could be more a part of the solution to climate change  43:15 - Lightning round of questions, including Amanda's superpower, favorite historical figure, Amanda's mantra, etc.  #EDF #environmentaldefensefund #ChangetheWorld #beonthesideofsolutions #meetpeoplewheretheyare #todayisbetterthanyesterday #tomorrowwillbebetterthantoday

Welcome to The Zenergy podcast! On today's episode, Karan Takhar speaks with Dimitry Gershenson, CEO & Co-Founder of Enduring Planet. They discuss Dimitry's time living in Kenya and India and how that shaped his perspective on how to approach climate solutions. Dimitry then walks us through the founding of Enduring Planet and the gap in the market they are filling using their unique funding model. Karan and Dimitry discuss Enduring Planet's idea of lending against grants, the average ticket size they lend, and Dimitry breaks down how federal and state grants and procurements are allotted out. He shares his thoughts on the election and if he believes it will impact the climate landscape and gives insight into the raising of Enduring Planet's second fund.  If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, be sure to do so, and follow us on all the socials. New episodes go out every Thursday.   Listen to The Zenergy Podcast:    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HEZXoEfuDa548Ty81gBWN    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-zenergy-podcast-climate-leadership-finance/id1556215421   Follow The Zenergy Podcast on all the socials:    X (Twitter): @TakharK2 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Znrg.org Instagram: @zen_rgy LinkedIn: ZNRG YouTube: ZNRG – The ZENERGY Podcast Connect with Dimitry: https://enduringplanet.com/   Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 1:20 Welcome 2:16 Dimitry's very first job 4:27 How Dimitry's time living in Honduras influences his work today 6:00 The resilience of the ecology of the planet vs. the human race 8:00 Capitalism and climate 10:45 Dimitry's work at Meta 12:05 Origins of the Zenergy Podcast 13:00 SEMA fund 13:40 Dimitry's favorite foods from abroad 17:00 Funding model for Enduring Planet/what does Enduring Planet do? 20:30 How Enduring Planet is different from government grants 22:30 Working with government loans alone is really hard on companies 24:15 How grant agencies work with companies 25:00 The path that Enduring Planet helps companies to be on 25:30 The amount of money Enduring Planet gives for different kinds of investments 27:00 How smaller start-ups have trouble accessing public money 29:30 What Enduring Planet is doing to level the playing field 31:15 The process of partnering with Enduring Planet 35:20 Enduring Planet allows companies to accelerate the trajectory on grants 37:20 Any climate projects are welcome to request funding 39:30 Now is not the time to wait to invest in the fight against climate change, now is the time to be bold 44:30 How the upcoming election will impact the climate landscape 48:20 The exciting parts about the future of climate industry 52:00 A message to those early in their careers

On today's episode, Karan Takhar sits down with Yasmeen Shaheen-McConnell, Senior Advisor for the American Climate Corps, AmeriCorps. Yasmeen shares the origin story of the American Climate Corps and how she got involved. They speak about how the Corps recruits its members, how its structured, who can apply, and how an organization wishing to partner with the ACC can do so. Yasmeen then shares how she has been inspired during her time there and how she sees the ACC evolving in the next 5 to 10 years. They end with a lightning round of questions sure to encourage anyone wishing to get involved in the American Climate Corps. Many thanks to Yasmeen and her team for their help in making this episode happen. If you have an organization and want to partner with the American Climate Corps, email acc@americorps.gov. If you want more information about becoming a member, visit acc.gov.   Show Notes:  [1:45] - Yasmeen tells us what superpower the American Climate Corps (ACC) would have if it were a superteam.  [3:10] - Yasmeen shares the origin story of the ACC, and how it came out of a challenge that President Biden responded to while he was running for president.  [6:30] - Yasmeen talks about her background, and why she believes anyone can work in climate.  [7:00] - What the goals of the ACC are, and the progress they are making on those goals.  [9:30] - What it means to serve in the ACC.  [13:30] - What kind of people are members of the ACC, and how organizations can partner with the ACC.  [17:15] - The process of becoming a member of the ACC.  [20:30] - Yasmeen discusses some of the challenges of implementing some of the projects of the ACC.  [23:20] - Yasmeen discusses her work in the government to release funds to organizations outside of the government that are working in climate, like non-profits.  [24:50] - Yasmeen tells us about the surprising amount of people who want to be a part of helping the climate crisis since working with the ACC.  [26:00] - What are the things that the ACC does that people who work in climate across the world can learn from?  [27:40] - Yasmeen talks about how FDR's original CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) has influenced the ACC.  [28:40] - What does the future look like for the ACC?  [31:30] - Lightning round of questions about the ACC - including the number of climate jobs the ACC hopes to create before 2030, unexpected skills members learn in the climate corps, most rewarding aspects, etc.  [34:40] - Yasmeen gives her 25 year-old self one piece of professional advice.    Links and Resources:   Email: acc@americorps.gov  climatecorps.gov acc.gov

As a pioneer in impact investing, Nancy has demonstrated the potential of venture capital to drive social change and environmental improvements. She is an active voice in the field, frequently writing and speaking on impact investing topics. Nancy serves on the boards of several companies, including Zola Electric, Bellwether Coffee, and Farmers Business Network, and has previously worked with Tesla Motors, SolarCity, and Pandora before their public offerings. Before founding DBL, she was a Managing Director in Venture Capital at JPMorgan and began her investment career at Hambrecht & Quist in 1984. Her diverse experience also includes roles at Intel Corporation, the State of California, Stanford University, and the Sierra Club. In 2024, Nancy received the Impact Leadership Award from Impact Capital Managers and was recognized in 2023 by Forbes and the San Francisco Business Times as one of the Bay Area's most influential business leaders. Her accolades include the 2022 Financial Woman of the Year and appearances on Fast Company's 2016 Most Creative People in Business list. A frequent lecturer at prestigious institutions such as Harvard and Stanford, she has held numerous leadership roles in organizations focused on clean energy and social impact. DBL Partners was formed with a “Double Bottom Line” investment strategy to invest in companies that can deliver top-tier venture capital returns (First Bottom Line), while working with our companies to enable social, environmental and economic improvement in the regions in which they operate (Second Bottom Line). DBL Partners uses venture capital to accelerate innovation in a way that positively affects an organization's social impact, as well as its financial success. We strongly believe these two drivers –positive social change and a healthy financial performance– are inherently connected. DBL invests in and helps nurture outstanding entrepreneurs and companies in Cleantech, Information Technology, Sustainable Products and Services, and Healthcare. Show Notes: [2:47] - Nancy shares a bit about her incredible career, and what she would title a book about her journey. [4:40] - Blending impact with finance can enhance both outcomes. [7:02] - Before founding DBL, Nancy was a Managing Director at JPMorgan. She shares the experience of breaking off with DBL during a time of uncertainty. [11:10] - Nancy describes her experience with Tesla and how the investment in strong talent benefits an entire organization. [13:12] - Start-ups are all about resilience and perseverance, especially during times of economic challenges. [14:32] - In this environment, it is difficult to stay positive and survive in the short term. [16:35] - A first-time fund investor is slightly different because of the risk involved. [18:01] - Nancy describes and explains venture capital and impact investing. [22:52] - Sustainability is a key interest of Nancy's and her colleagues. [26:29] - Nancy describes some of the challenges faced at Tesla in the beginning of her work there. [30:08] - Whatever the block is, you can make a difference. [31:57] - Initially, the car industry was not designed to support the development of electric vehicles. [34:42] - What is the difference between Founder mode and CEO mode? [38:07] - There are habits, including drinking coffee, that are “carbon habits”. [39:39] - The good news is that the list of talented and visionary entrepreneurs is getting longer, increasing impact. [42:18] - What are the soft skills that are valued at DBL and the VC world? [44:09] - At the founder level, there has to be an insatiable drive to change the world. [46:19] - Create several scenarios in your analysis and do some stress testing. [51:53] - There is a lot of uncertainty right now, especially when it comes to policies. [54:24] - Even with uncertainty, there are many things to like and be positive about with policy transitions. Links and Resources: DBL Partners

Adam James is a Partner at Energy Impact Partners, where he leads the firm's Customer Experience team and the Impact and Sustainability team. Adam joined EIP from Tesla where he worked on global business operations. Prior to Tesla, he was the Deputy Director at SolarCity, supporting global market expansion including business development, M&A, and utility partnerships. Adam previously held roles with GTM Research and at the Center for American Progress. Adam is also a Board Member at the Clean Energy Leadership Institute (CELI), a nonprofit dedicated to developing the next generation of energy leadership, which he co-founded in 2013. Energy Impact Partners, or EIP, is a purpose-built investment platform. It is a collaborative strategic investment firm that invests in energy companies. They bring together brilliant entrepreneurs and some of the world's most influential corporations to help transform the global economy towards a sustainable future. EIP is committed to setting standards on ESG reporting, transparency, and measurement, as a member of the Initiative Climate International, a subgroup of UNPRI specifically formed to work on reducing carbon emissions of private equity-backed companies and securing sustainable investment performance by recognizing and incorporating the materiality of climate risk. Show Notes: [2:29] - Adam shares what initially sparked his motivation in this field and how it has evolved over time. [7:56] - Adam describes some of his experiences in the early days of his career. [10:16] - Climate change is a really unique problem because it requires a multi-disciplinary approach. [12:53] - In building an organization, there are several first steps to take. Adam explains some of the critical steps that he took at the start. [16:17] - It is apparent in the climate field how generous and collaborative people are. [19:15] - Scaling things up in an organization has been an exciting part of the work for Adam. [21:50] - What can be learned after years of experience and data? How can there be improvement? [23:24] - It is a complex political environment. In general, no matter what is going on, corporations have a business objective. [26:14] - Compared to years past, there is more progress and good news regarding climate change coming everyday. [28:03] - Adam describes some of the things he is most excited about when it comes to emerging technologies. [31:32] - Adam shares advice to those who are entering the field. Links and Resources: Energy Impact Partners Website

Climate change is driven by emissions from various human activities such as burning fossil fuels, manufacturing cement and steel, plowing soils, and clearing forests. These actions release carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gasses into the atmosphere, which trap heat and contribute to global warming. Methane, particularly from cattle, rice fields, landfills, and fossil fuel operations, is a potent greenhouse gas that accelerates climate change. In addition to human activities, emissions also come from agricultural lands, industrial sites, and urban areas. While much of these greenhouse gasses remain in the atmosphere, nature plays a crucial role in mitigating their impact. Natural processes like photosynthesis act as "sinks," absorbing and storing carbon in plants, soil, and oceans. Though significant amounts of emissions are absorbed by these natural reservoirs, most remain airborne, contributing to global warming. Addressing this imbalance requires enhancing the capacity of these natural sinks and reducing emissions at their source. Jonathan Foley, Ph.D., a renowned environmental scientist, leads efforts to advance climate solutions as the Executive Director of Project Drawdown. Along with his colleagues, Project Drawdown has identified 93 technologies and practices that can significantly reduce greenhouse gas concentrations. Foley's research has been highly influential, earning him recognition as a top global scientist in ecology and environmental science. His work has guided governments, organizations, and businesses in finding sustainable strategies to combat climate change and protect ecosystems. Show Notes: [2:13] - Dr. Foley explains Project Drawdown and the mission behind their programs. [4:06] - Using their “north star” and mission, Project Drawdown has strategies to get people excited and interested in climate action. [7:14] - Only about 1-2% of Americans have climate solutions as their top priority. [9:02] - Dr. Foley describes educating people about climate change in a large city versus in a rural area, and explains some surprising differences. [12:25] - There's no one approach or one right way to do things. [13:43] - Meet people where they are, and with respect and humility. [15:57] - Climate solutions not only improve the climate, but they have other domino-effect benefits like the creation of jobs. [18:33] - Dr. Foley lists some of the practical and immediately actionable solutions he has seen recently. [22:33] - Although new technologies can be exciting, Dr. Foley thinks that a lot of times, they are distractions from the real mission in climate action. [25:02] - A climate solution now is more valuable than a climate solution ten years from now. [29:03] - Policies are important, but in the United States, things have gotten sticky. [32:43] - It's not all doomsday. There is a lot of progress being made in climate change. [34:46] - Dr. Foley shares some reflections of his past that may inspire others and serve as advice to those entering the field. [40:22] - We live in the most opportunity-filled time in history. What will you do about it? Links and Resources: Project Drawdown Website

Dr. Michael E. Mann is a Presidential Distinguished Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, where he directs the Penn Center for Science, Sustainability, and the Media. He holds degrees in Physics, Applied Math, and Geology & Geophysics from UC Berkeley and Yale. His work focuses on Earth's climate system, particularly human-caused climate change, and he has played a significant role in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) efforts. Throughout his career, Dr. Mann has received numerous accolades, including contributing to the IPCC's 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, the Hans Oeschger Medal, and the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement. He is a Fellow of several scientific organizations and has authored over 200 publications and six books, including The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars and The New Climate War. The Department of Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on understanding the dynamic processes that shape the Earth and its environment. It offers a broad range of research and educational opportunities in areas such as geology, environmental science, climate change, oceanography, and paleontology. Faculty and students work collaboratively to study the Earth's systems, explore environmental challenges, and find solutions for sustainable development. The department emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to address pressing global issues like climate change, resource management, and environmental degradation. Show Notes: [2:13] - Dr. Mann shares his background and what he would be doing if he were not in the role he's in. [4:46] - Penn has a lot of interesting work going on and in the latest strategic vision has climate listed as number one as a situation to tackle. [7:03] - Dr. Mann describes how he has balanced being a scientist and an advocate for climate communication in a challenging political landscape. [9:13] - Science should be as objective as possible, especially when it comes to politics and policy. [11:25] - We all have a right to know where presidential candidates stand when it comes to climate change. [13:35] - Dr. Mann describes some of the challenges in communicating about climate change and where he focuses his outreach. [17:12] - People tend to be trapped in self-reinforcing bubbles. The media is very divided. [19:27] - There is evidence that there will be a tipping point in a majority acceptance and public support of climate change research and action. [21:54] - Dr. Mann gives suggestions and advice to those looking to enter the field. [24:09] - The four areas that are prioritized at Penn are Climate, Human Health, Democracy, and AI. Links and Resources: Michael Mann's Website

The Montgomery County Green Bank is a publicly chartered 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to accelerating energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean energy investment in Montgomery County, MD. They partner with the private sector to provide more affordable and flexible financing options for County residents and businesses for clean energy and climate-resilient projects. These projects save energy, lower greenhouse gas emissions, create healthy living and working environments, foster a more resilient economy and environment, and help the county achieve its environmental goals. Laura Mondragon is the Director for Climate Resilience of the Montgomery County Green Bank (MCGB). She comes to the Green Bank with a professional background in international climate finance, with experience in designing, assessing, and implementing climate and sustainable finance programs with public stakeholders in emerging economies. Prior to the MCGB, Laura worked at an international development bank supporting Public Banks in their actions transitioning to a net zero business model. She coordinated the technical assistance program related to climate risk management. She also supported the design and preparation of regional green bonds programs and worked with international climate funds and donors. Laura is from Colombia, South America and has lived in Montgomery County for 15 years. Show Notes: [2:56] - Laura shares her background and the differences she experienced in working on a global scale versus on local initiatives. [4:52] - She has been able to deep dive into international issues, including Latin American countries which are very impacted by climate change. [5:40] - Now working in Montgomery County, she gets her “hands dirty” and works on multiple facets of initiatives. [7:20] - Although different, there are transferable skills between international and local work. [9:53] - The Montgomery County Green Bank is the first green bank established in the United States. Laura explains funding. [13:30] - Laura explains different partner programs and collaborations, and how to get in touch with the Montgomery County Green Bank. [16:07] - Laura breaks down some of the goals of resiliency at the green bank, and how different partnerships are moving them forward. [18:09] - To be able to achieve climate resiliency at a county level, they must be mindful of all stakeholders' needs. [20:35] - Knowledge is power for communities. [22:05] - One major initiative is education in the community that allows small business owners and farmers access to resources that will improve their business. [23:49] - What are some of the challenges faced in climate resilience initiatives? [26:05] - Selling resiliency is tough because it is usually very reactive. [28:33] - Reflecting from her experiences, Laura gives advice to those starting out. Links and Resources: Montgomery County Green Bank Website

The mission of the Maryland Public Service Commission is to ensure safe, reliable, and economic public utility and transportation service to the citizens of Maryland. Today's guests are Chair Frederick Hoover and Commissioner Kumar Barve. Frederick H. Hoover was appointed Chair of the Maryland Public Service Commission by Governor Wes Moore for a five-year term beginning on July 1, 2023. He most recently served as Assistant People's Counsel in the Maryland Office of People's Counsel, representing residential consumers of public utilities, retail energy suppliers and other entities before the Maryland Public Service Commission, courts and federal agencies. Chair Hoover served for more than seven years as director of the Maryland Energy Administration, responsible for coordinating energy policy for the state of Maryland. He subsequently held positions as director of both MEA's Division of Energy Programs and Division of Renewable Energy. He is a former senior director of the National Association of State Energy Officials, where he directed the electricity policy program including the fuel and grid aspects of both transmission and distribution networks including modernization, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. Kumar P. Barve was appointed to the Maryland Public Service Commission in May 2023 by Governor Wes Moore, to fill out a term ending in June 2024. He was later appointed to a new five-year term to begin July 1, 2024. Prior to his appointment, he had served in the Maryland House of Delegates since 1991, holding leadership roles including Chair of the Environment and Transportation Committee, Majority Leader, and Chair of the Montgomery County House delegation. While in the General Assembly he worked on issues including environmental regulation, energy generation and conservation, and greenhouse gas reduction. Notably, he was the first Indian-American in the country to be elected to a state legislature. Show Notes: [2:31] - The mandate of the Public Service Commission is to maintain reliable, safe, affordable, essential utility services to all customers and oversee the impact. [4:43] - Chair Hoover and Commissioner Barve describe how the Maryland Brighter Tomorrow Act aligns with the state's overall energy goals. [9:27] - The energy generation mix is a large complicated process. [12:40] - There's a greater use of digital products to control energy usage in the home. Homes have become more efficient. [13:55] - Eventually there will be a situation where houses, buildings, and cars will be building, storing, and using energy simultaneously. [14:40] - The United States is currently re-industrializing. [17:58] - It is part of their responsibility to ensure that the investments that are made by the utility company are made across their distribution system. [19:27] - Commissioner Barve describes the efforts made and the state's legislature to aid low and moderate income individuals in Maryland. [20:30] - Utility companies do not make money off of selling electricity. [22:38] - Chair Hoover shares the feedback they receive when engaging with utility companies as it pertains to renewable energy. [24:24] - This is an open and transparent process. [26:40] - How have prices evolved over the last decade and where are they trending? [29:55] - Both Chair and Commissioner share what excites them about the work they do. [32:14] - Both share advice to those who are entering the industry. Links and Resources: Maryland Public Service Commission Website

The New York City Comptroller's office works to promote the financial health, integrity, and effectiveness of New York City government, in order to strengthen trust, secure a thriving future for all New Yorkers, and build a more just, equitable, and resilient city. Led by an independently-elected citywide official, the Comptroller's office provides checks and balances needed to hold City government accountable for budgeting wisely, investing responsibly, operating efficiently, acting fairly, living up to its obligations and promises, and paying attention to the long-term challenges we face together. John Adler became the Chief ESG Officer at the New York City Comptroller's Bureau of Asset Management in January 2022, where he oversees initiatives related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts on pension fund investments. His responsibilities include corporate governance, diversity, equity and inclusion, climate change, workers' rights, and integrating ESG into the investment process. Previously, John was Director of the Mayor's Office of Pensions and Investments under Mayor Bill de Blasio and spent 23 years in the labor movement, most recently leading the SEIU's Retirement Security Campaign and co-founding the Georgetown Center for Retirement Initiatives. Show Notes: [1:50] - John shares his background and how his career path has led him to his current role as the Chief ESG Officer. [4:00] - John discusses the primary focus areas at the Comptroller's Office. [6:55] - His previous experience serving under Mayor de Blasio gave John a lot of knowledge to prepare for the work he's doing now. [11:02] - For making the case for ESG, there were challenges that have evolved over time. [12:31] - ESG has become much more widely accepted in the business world as a way to appropriately evaluate business risk. [16:04] - Managers are committed to ESG and climate change, but they don't want to get in the crosshairs of anti-ESG. [17:38] - Critics believe their criticism serves them politically. [19:09] - Fiduciary duties are taken very seriously. [20:27] - John shares some examples of efforts that have represented ESG's values. [24:27] - John discusses another example of union representation. [26:54] - There is a four component implementation plan to move forward towards climate change goals. [28:39] - The most difficult challenge is identifying private market dedicated strategies to invest in climate solutions. [31:21] - There's a drive in the economy right now for climate solutions. [32:22] - Pension funds are not big enough to adequately address the climate change challenge we are all facing. We need to collaborate. Links and Resources: New York City Comptroller's Office Website

Elemental Excelerator is a nonprofit investor focused on scaling climate technologies with deep community impact. They bring more than a decade of experience across the climate sector, with an active and maturing portfolio of more than 150+ companies. Elemental fills two gaps fundamental to addressing climate change: funding projects for climate technologies in communities, and embedding equity and access into climate solutions. They invest in transformative technologies to create a system change for a more resilient, equitable future. Amir Chireh Mehr is the Senior Investment Director at Elemental Excelerator. He is responsible for managing all aspects of transactions over the investment lifecycle at Elemental, from investment strategy formulation and origination to execution and asset management. His expertise and responsibilities extends to fundraising and building partnerships with investors, leveraging these relationships to enhance outcomes for climate-focused companies with the potential to catalyze meaningful decarbonization pathways across communities. In this episode, Amir shares the company's investment approach and the impact of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. He also discusses promising trends as well as advice and common pitfalls of entrepreneurs seeking financing. Show Notes: [1:56] - Amir shares his background and what motivated him to join Elemental. [4:30] - Elemental began with an interest in applying for a grant with the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and it caught Amir's eye. [6:42] - Amir explains some of the investment criteria they look into when deciding on what projects to invest in. [9:08] - They have to evaluate the quality of the cash flow relative to the investment type. [12:09] - The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund is $27 billion that was set aside to capitalize not-for-profit institutions to provide low cost capital. [14:35] - It's been a challenging process for Elemental Excelerator to apply and navigate the application for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. [17:12] - The idea was to use government dollars but to marry that with the efficiency of private sector approaches and methods. [19:17] - For entrepreneurs, the program requirements are pretty straightforward, but certain things can seem a little complicated. [21:57] - Amir shares some of the challenges in applying and some of the ways projects receive financing. [23:23] - If an entrepreneur would like access to these types of dollars, they need to have an eye for reframing things through the lens of structured finance. [26:50] - Amir describes some of the promising trends in the industry and some of the areas that are seeing a lot of forward momentum and advances. [28:21] - Follow where the opportunity is. We need new business models and solutions. [30:53] - You have to dutifully manage your scarce cash, but also have a line of sight in building your business in such a way that you're meeting the needs of stakeholders. Links and Resources: Elemental Excelerator Website

The URBAN-X platform provides tailor-made programming, connections and resources to early-stage founders. Founders in their portfolio tackle some of the toughest challenges that cities face today as they confront a new climate reality. As mechanical engineer, Tristan Bel first designed packaging machines, medical equipment, and consumer goods, and then managed products and operations for a non-profit organization. He moved to New York City in 2010 to focus on innovation and early-stage entrepreneurship, co-founded Topager (urban farming) and Sitrep (urbanism studio) and grew hardware tech incubator NYDesigns into a bustling hub, selecting and coaching over 35 startups. At URBAN-X Tristan shapes and manages the accelerator and MINI Impact programs, and enjoys writing about it all on medium. In this episode, Tristan describes URBAN-X's Accelerator Program and what they look for when selecting companies for the cohort. He also gives great tips on how to make the perfect pitch, tools on how to fundraise, and how the Accelerator Program helps founders navigate government funding in an ever-changing political environment. Show Notes: [1:58] - Tristan shares his background as an engineer and how he found his way to his current role as Program Director at URBAN-X. [3:30] - URBAN-X is connected to BMW. Tristan explains how and why URBAN-X was founded. [5:45] - Tristan shares some of the success stories and innovations of companies working in the Accelerator Program. He describes what the program entails. [7:40] - There are certain qualities that are heavily considered when looking through applicants and deciding what companies to accept. [9:27] - They are very selective with the hundreds of applicants they receive and only select 12 to 14 based on trends and interests in bettering cities. [12:02] - One area the Accelerator Program helps founders with is fundraising. [16:17] - The pitch is a key component in fundraising. Tristan shares some tips on how to present the story without being too technical. [18:32] - Tristan explains how they guide entrepreneurs in acquiring their first customers. [20:04] - How important are unit economics? [22:34] - Karan and Tristan discuss batteries and market trends. [24:01] - Political changes are constant. There are some things to consider. [25:40] - There are some organizations that are easier to get funding from than others. [27:29] - Electric vehicles have been trending and growing significantly, but there are still problems to be solved. [29:39] - Be ready for a marathon, not a sprint. There's a great community ready to welcome you. Do something that is important to you. Links and Resources: URBAN-X Website

To stave off the worst effects of the climate crisis we must leverage our greatest ally, the ocean. To do so with the speed needed to meet this moment, we need to build companies—with repeatable, scalable business models—that can achieve global impact. This is our collective challenge, and our great opportunity. Dr. Julie Pullen is an oceanographer and meteorologist focused on climate resilience, earth system prediction, AI, and climate tech. She is currently a founding partner and Chief Scientist at Propeller Ventures, an ocean climate solutions VC fund, and previously served on the leadership team at Jupiter Intelligence, a climate risk analytics startup. Her academic career includes a decade as an ocean engineering professor at Stevens Institute of Technology, a joint appointment with the Department of Energy, and a Fulbright Visiting Professorship in the Philippines. She also has a background as a Navy oceanographer and has held fellowships at Stanford and the Department of Homeland Security. Dr. Pullen is a member of the U.S. Climate Security Roundtable, served on the National Academy of Sciences committee for the National Climate Assessments, and co-authored a chapter of the New York City Panel on Climate Change report. She has held leadership roles in both the American Meteorological Society and The Oceanography Society. Dr. Pullen holds a Ph.D. in physical oceanography, a master's degree in applied mathematics, and a bachelor's degree in physics and math. This episode will make you want to get up and take action. Show Notes: [2:11] - Dr. Pullen began her career as a professor of ocean engineering. She describes the transformative experience that created a shift in her work. [6:08] - Propeller Ventures was created by a team of colleagues identifying what fell into the areas of climate solutions. [10:49] - With the scale and scope that is needed to adapt to climate change, there will never be enough money. There have to be ways to expand climate solutions. [12:47] - Timing really matters. The fund was fortunate enough to grow at a time when people were ready and willing to contribute. [13:31] - The ocean has buffered us from the full brunt of climate change. Our whole climate rests on the ocean. [15:37] - Propeller has invested in several companies to date. Dr. Pullen shares how they were able to find the first few companies to invest in and what she is enthusiastic about in the works. [18:06] - Dr. Pullen describes some of the areas they have been able to shine a light on as opportunities and innovations at Propeller. [20:21] - The community is leaning into quantifying biodiversity. [21:37] - AI tools are extremely exciting in meteorology projections. [24:26] - Propeller invests in companies that are leveraging AI tools in innovative ways. [25:55] - We are at a point where novel ideas are able to make a big difference and ensure that we are leaving no stone unturned. [28:19] - As a former educator, Dr. Pullen is able to connect with scientists in a unique way. [31:23] - How is new technology developed and invested in at Propeller? [35:47] - Reflecting on her career and the careers of her former students, Dr. Pullen shares some advice for those seeking experience in this industry. Links and Resources: Propeller Ventures Website

NY Green Bank is a New York State-sponsored investment fund dedicated to filling financing gaps in clean energy and sustainable infrastructure markets. Their investments contribute to greenhouse gas emissions reductions, energy efficiency, clean energy generation, and the mobilization of private capital in key market sectors.  NY Green Bank uses public capital to mobilize private investment into underserved green sectors, filling market gaps and advancing public climate targets, with the goal of enabling private investors to expand their sustainable infrastructure portfolios in a meaningful way. The green bank model has been active and growing for over a dozen years, with green banking institutions operating at the local, state, regional, and national levels, both as government-affiliated agencies and as independent non-profits. Kaitlin Butler is a Vice President on NY Green Bank's Investment and Portfolio Management team where she supports the origination, evaluation, and execution of scalable clean energy and efficiency project investments across New York State. Prior to joining NY Green Bank, Ms. Butler was on the investment team at Mobility Capital, supporting deal sourcing and execution, fundraising, and impact measurement for next-generation transportation solutions. She is also a 2021 Clean Energy Leadership Institute Fellow in the inaugural New York CELI cohort, aiming to advance the just energy transition in New York and beyond. Show Notes: [2:45] - Kaitlin describes what NY Green Bank is and what they are focused on. [3:45] - Before her work at NY Green Bank, Kaitlin found herself working in investment banking. [5:05] - One key objective of NY Green Bank from the start has been to close financing gaps. [7:41] - Kaitlin walks us through the process of lending and financing projects and shares how they are working to close financing gaps. [10:17] - Kaitlin shares that they are very excited about the Storage Roadmap and incentives by NYSERDA. [12:34] - One of the ways to get started with NY Green Bank is by speaking with Kaitlin and through a portal on their website. [14:33] - There are some exciting changes in IRA legislation that impact tax equity. [16:50] - A great idea can come from any developer. NY Green Bank reviews all applications. [18:32] - Every time a transaction is closed, it is published on the NY Green Bank website. Kaitlin shares what other metrics are available to view. [20:58] - NY Green Bank is not here to compete with private capital. [22:34] - In the climate space, Kaitlin is most excited about recent federal fund mobilization. [24:17] - Don't start with skills, start with values. [25:36] - There are tons of resources and organizations to help learn climate finance and a lot of opportunities since there is so much work to do. Links and Resources: NY Green Bank Website

Transitioning the global car refill supply chain to electric will take decades of focused and intense work to solve the fundamental engineering challenges required to generate, store, transmit, and distribute electricity for a global fleet of electric cars. The mission is to decarbonize and electrify transportation by powering all of EV charging. Quincy Lee, Co-Founder and CEO of Electric Era, started his professional career as a mechanical engineer at SpaceX. Applying the skills he learned for spacecraft to the climate challenge here on Earth, Quincy is on a mission to make electric vehicles fast-charging, ubiquitous, and affordable. At Electric Era, Quincy and his team have built a modular electric vehicle battery and smart charging system that enables the easy implementation of charging stations at gas stations and convenience stores. In today's interview, Quincy shares why he founded Electric Era and why it was during a global pandemic. He has such a unique model that he describes in this conversation and provides advice and motivation for fellow entrepreneurs and rising entrepreneurs in the climate space. The company has seen many challenges, but they have always been able to overcome them through perseverance and implementing a plan. Show Notes: [1:46] - Quincy shares his background and the motivation he had to start Electric Era. [3:43] - The idea of following his passions and following his heart led him to developing Electric Era during the pandemic. [5:00] - We will make major shifts in climate when we follow our heart and put in the work that serves others. [7:24] - The pandemic did not make starting a business very easy. Quincy describes the early challenges he experienced in launching and creating value with Electric Era. [9:22] - Similarly, Karan began the podcast from across the world during the pandemic. [11:40] - For some, finding a passion is a challenge. [12:59] - Technology makes things possible, but without the fire and drive, there is no action. [14:35] - The best founders are those with perseverance. [16:49] - Quincy shares some of the challenges he experienced throughout the last few years in growing Electric Era. [18:23] - After working at SpaceX for 6 years, Quincy learned a lot of amazing strategies that he was able to implement at Electric Era. [20:25] - Quincy shares some of the examples of the innovative charging stations they have built in places throughout the country. [22:48] - Decarbonization is only one part of the goal. [24:48] - Quincy explains how their charging stations work. [26:56] - If you are a retailer that wants to modernize your station, reach out to Electric Era. There are different models that will work for your business. [28:15] - There are so many companies that are doing this work. Technology will pull us through the “doom and gloom”. The progress is going in the right direction. Links and Resources: Plaid Pantry Station Timelapse Plaid Pantry Station Walkthrough Electric Era x 7 Feathers Truck and Travel

What does it take to scale sustainable technologies from promising ideas to world-changing solutions? That's the challenge at the heart of today's discussion on sustainable energy and climate innovation. Today, we're thrilled to have Eoin Ó hÓgáin, Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Power Sustainable, joining us. With over 20 years of experience in the energy and climate sector, Eoin brings a wealth of knowledge from his roles at Morgan Stanley, McKinsey & Company, and now Power Sustainable. He'll share insights on the evolution of renewable energy, the challenges of scaling sustainable technologies, and the exciting innovations in areas like food waste reduction. In this episode, we'll dive into Power Sustainable's ambitious plans to scale up investments from billions to trillions, explore the changing landscape of utilities and renewable energy, and discuss practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the sustainability space. Get ready for an enlightening conversation that spans from cutting-edge agritech to the future of infrastructure equity. As we unpack the technologies and strategies that are shaping a more sustainable world. Show Notes: [02:20] -  Eoin has been in the energy and climate space for over 20 years. His first foray into the sector was when he began working for Morgan Stanley. [04:00] -  After getting his MBA, he worked for McKinsey & Company mostly in the energy space. [05:06] -  There isn't a utility in the country that hasn't embraced renewables and has some type of program for storage and energy efficiency. [06:26] -  Power Sustainable is going to scale up from the billions to the trillions. This is why they're in private equity and infrastructure debt. [08:21] -  Utilities are stakeholders in the energy system. Twenty years ago there was a significant degree of cynicism about renewable energy. [18:22] -  They have a private equity strategy on the agra foods side. One of the projects they are tackling is food waste which is 8% of the global greenhouse gas emissions. [19:38] -  They're working on a powder that can turn food waste into food for your plants. [20:41] -  The technologies are there, it's just a challenge to get them in the hands of people who will use them. [22:28] -  The investment teams are trying to hit a return target while having a climate sustainability impact. [23:48] -  The challenge with infrastructure equity is to supply enough capital and scale it up. [25:07] -  How the investment landscape has evolved since the founding of Power Sustainable. [29:42] -  It's exciting that we can see and feel the impact of these initiatives. There are astonishing technologies and businesses that deserve to be supported. [30:45] -  Keep end users front and center. It's unlikely a project will get to scale if people can't see the benefits for themselves. Links and Resources: Power Sustainable Eoin Ó hÓgáin LinkedIn

Getting to zero by 2050 might be the most difficult challenge humanity has ever taken on. That's because nearly everything we do in our daily lives contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, from how we plug in to how we grow things, make things, get around, and stay cool and warm. Breakthrough Energy is committed to supporting new technologies that change the way we live, eat, work, travel, and make things so we can avoid the most devastating impacts of climate change. Cristina Shoffner manages strategic initiatives for Breakthrough Energy's U.S. Policy & Advocacy team. She leads the policy team's private sector engagement and supports strategy development to advance Breakthrough Energy's efforts towards an ambitious U.S. climate policy agenda that encourages innovation and accelerates the deployment of clean technologies. Cristina joined Breakthrough Energy in January 2021 from the United States Senate, where she served as policy advisor to U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and Senate Democratic Leadership. There, she supported Senator Stabenow's energy and environmental policy agenda and responsibilities as chair of the Senate Democratic Policy & Communications Committee. Before serving in the Senate, Cristina was Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs in the White House Council on Environmental Quality under President Obama. Show Notes: [2:07] - Cristina shares her background and what drove her to pursue a career focused on energy policy and advocacy. [4:08] - In 2020, Cristina had been working in the Senate but wanted to work in the private sector when she was recruited by Breakthrough Energy. [5:45] - Breakthrough Energy is an impact platform committed to helping the world avoid climate disaster. [7:04] - Cristina describes some of the programs offered by Breakthrough Energy and what the teams in each program work on. [10:21] - Breakthrough Energy has a massive platform of companies and innovators to tap into. [12:32] - The work at Breakthrough Energy is rooted in science and technology. [14:34] - Cristina shares some of the initiatives that she is most excited about. [17:18] - There has been so much legislation passed and it can seem overwhelming and confusing for companies to leverage. [19:23] - There are many Breakthrough Energy innovations that are really exciting and Cristina is very optimistic. [23:04] - What are the biggest challenges across cleantech? [25:20] - Cristina shares some areas that could use some more collaboration with lawmakers. [27:19] - Looking ahead, Breakthrough Energy is optimistic. Links and Resources: Breakthrough Energy Website The White House's Climate Capital Guidebook​ The White House's IRA Guidebook Inflation Reduction Act | U.S. Department of the Treasury Cipher - Climate Tech News Clean Investment Monitor Clean Energy Business Network Funding Database Clean Energy Business Network Insight into Federal Programs blogs: Insight into Federal Programs American Energy Innovators Network Clean Energy for America Blog

Biomimicry is a practice that learns from and mimics the strategies found in nature to solve human design challenges in a regenerative way. The Biomimicry Institute empowers people to create nature-inspired solutions for a healthy planet. Their goal today is for biomimicry to become a natural part of the design process, to create a new generation of innovators who support all life on this planet. Jared brings his entrepreneurial background and startup coaching experience to the Biomimicry Institute, where he supports startups as they commercialize biomimetic innovations that are addressing major climate and environmental issues. Before joining the Institute, Jared developed and ran startup training programs with Penn State University's incubator and accelerator programs and was the Program Director of Thought For Food, a global community of food and agriculture entrepreneurs. He is the creator of the open-source startup training toolkit Startup Guts, was an initial founding member of the AgTech company GreenTowers, and started a small food preservation company in rural Kenya. He has an Executive Certificate in Social Impact Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State University. Show Notes: [1:21] - What is biomimicry? Jared explains what this means and how understanding biomimicry can help us solve a lot of climate challenges. [3:36] - Jared did not begin his career in this space. He shares how he found himself in the climate space and why it has become so important to him. [6:40] - You can't predict future customers if you don't understand their past behaviors. [7:34] - One of the most successful and exciting programs the Biomimicry Institution offers is a startup support program called The Ray of Hope Accelerator. [8:29] - Jared shares some of the data and statistics that show the success from The Ray of Hope Accelerator. [11:58] - Jared describes some of the companies that are a part of the Biomimicry Institute's portfolio. [13:21] - If we work with nature instead of against it, we can make things stronger. [14:36] - There is a lot to learn from nature and many ways to apply what we learn. [16:18] - A key component of the Biomimicry Institute's support is education. [19:25] - Jared shares how he and his team stay up to date on their own education and learning in the industry. [22:54] - What sets the Biomimicry Institute apart? [25:13] - There are several things that Jared is excited about when it comes to new technologies and new things to explore that could impact the climate world. [28:51] - This area has a ton of growth opportunities and potential for positive change. Links and Resources: Biomimicry Institute Website

Terraformation provides early-stage financing for biodiverse carbon projects. They function as an extension of a team to identify, design, and grow reforestation projects that deliver a portfolio of high-quality carbon credits. Their partnership team connects with forestry organizations around the world to build a pipeline of future reforestation projects across Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. Yee Lee was the first team member to join Terraformation and has an extensive track record as a serial entrepreneur with involvement in many of the most impactful companies in the tech industry. Yee began his career in Silicon Valley as an early team member at PayPal and, over the course of 25 years, has served in engineering and product management roles at companies like eBay, Google, Skype, TaskRabbit, and Facebook. Yee founded four startup companies in the social network, ecommerce and fintech sectors. These roles have allowed Yee to leverage his extensive understanding of engineering, design, social apps, and fintech to scale transformative products. At Terraformation, Yee leads the Growth and Capital Markets team, focused on growing the global regenerative forest restoration industry by creating systems and resources that help foresters start more new projects and be more successful. Show Notes: [1:33] - Yee shares his background and his “why” in dedicating his career to climate and forestation. [4:30] - After working for 25 years in tech, Yee made connections with Yishan Wong, who later became the Founder and CEO of Terraformation. [7:24] - How did his experiences in Silicon Valley lead him to a career change? [9:58] - In the early days of Terraformation, Yee and Yishan determined what could be scaled to make a difference in climate change. [11:13] - Creating forests is a value creation exercise. [14:11] - If you are interested in having conversations with those who are in the climate space, Yee gives some tips. Most people are eager to network. [19:00] - Yee describes the early days of networking at Terraformation. [21:51] - While it seems like Terraformation's goal is to plant 1 trillion trees, it is really the world's goal to reforest that much land. Terraformation has teams that work on doing as much as possible to restore nature. [23:36] - Terraformation needs foresters trained in a specific skill set. There are not enough people with these skills to reach these goals. [27:08] - Terraformation is known for its seed banks. [30:17] - What is the role of machine learning and AI in reforestation? [31:56] - Yee shares what the next few years will look like for Terraformation and the broader reforestation movement. Links and Resources: Terraformation Website

Azolla Ventures invests in breakthroughs that could avert catastrophic climate change. They focus on ventures at the earliest stages, where risk and reward are highest. Their priority is impact first: every investment holds the potential for large-scale greenhouse gas reductions and a more just climate for all. Founded by Prime Coalition and enabled by catalytic capital, they seek out bold entrepreneurs from all corners and embrace opportunities outside of venture norms. Amy Duffuor is the co-founder and General Partner of Azolla Ventures. She is also a Managing Director at Prime Impact Fund, Azolla Ventures' predecessor vehicle. Her professional background spans business, finance, and impact across three continents. Amy has served as a board member for Azolla Ventures portfolio companies Heaten and Carbon Reform, as well as Prime Impact Fund portfolio companies Clean Crop Technologies, Noon Energy, and Ovipost. In addition, Amy serves on the board of the Northeast Clean Energy Council (NECEC); the Leadership Council of Activate, a nonprofit that empowers scientists to bring their research to market to address climate change; the Advisory Council of ReFED, a national nonprofit focused on food waste; and the Advisory Board of GreenTech Noir, a global community for Black people working in sustainability and climate tech. Show Notes: [01:16] -  Amy walks us through the co-founding of Azolla Ventures and how it began with the Prime Coalition and a mission to use catalytic capital to drive climate innovation.  [02:09] -  Catalytic capital is tax exempt, structurally patient and more flexible, and it can be used to de-risk technologies for downstream investors. [05:13] -  Azolla Ventures helps lessen risk through a unique funding model that combines both catalytic capital with more traditional venture capital. [07:04] -  They invest in pre-seed, seed, and Series A rounds in hardware based companies. Hardware requires a longer investing horizon. [07:26] -  There are three key evaluation investment criteria that underscore the importance of catalytic capital in their model. 1. Gigaton scale climate impact. 2. Additionality. 3. Attractiveness to downstream commercial capital. [12:26] -  There are often other investors investing alongside Azolla Ventures. They try to be thoughtful about how they put these syndicates together. [14:39] -  Amy talks about how Azolla sources potential investment partners.  [16:14] -  Azolla has a unique process that begins with a pitch to a member, then a full-team pitch, then it's time for the investment advisory committee who help with the last two steps of additionality and downstream funding. [20:09] -  Most companies raise rounds with 18 to 24 months of runway.  [21:34] -  First tip is to understand what stage your company is at and realize it may not be the right stage for venture capital. [22:43] -  Be confident about demonstrating your expertise but humble about what you don't know. [23:58] -  Be coachable and agile. [24:38] -  The driving motivation for Azolla is large-scale climate impact. [26:08] -  Challenges include the long investment horizon and capital intensity and the project financing valley of death. [29:05] -  Founders need to be commercially minded and focus on customers and partners towards the later stages. [29:53] -  Amy's advice is don't be so focused on the job, be focused on the skill sets that you're gaining. Links and Resources: Azolla Ventures Website Prime Coalition

The mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to protect human health and the environment. To accomplish this mission, the EPA strives to develop and enforce regulations, provide grants, study environmental issues, sponsor partnerships, teach people about the environment, and publish information to keep the public informed. Sanjay Seth is Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor for Climate and Equity for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1, which is a 550-person unit of the EPA focused on the New England region. In this role, he supports the Regional Administrator to craft and implement policy, planning, operations, and personnel strategies across all programs, with a focus on climate change, environmental justice, and regional implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act programs. Show Notes: [1:25] - Sanjay shares his background and his current role at the EPA. For him, climate work is incredibly exciting but also very challenging. [4:12] - People who have done the least harm to our climate are experiencing the most grief about its decline. [5:43] - How do we leverage private capital, promote energy and independence, lower costs, and help communities that have been left behind? [6:47] - There are three components to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. Sanjay explains how the funds are invested in the community. [10:08] - How is the distribution structured so communities can access these grants and funds? [13:46] - Sanjay shares some of the recent successes experienced at the EPA. [17:37] - How does the EPA work with communities to have an impact? [19:37] - Assisting with technology and increasing access to grants and subgrants are some of the efforts of the EPA. [21:47] - Working in climate is living in the space between optimism and skepticism to try to figure out how we make lasting progress. [23:59] - Sanjay discusses some of the challenges he's seen occur that they have worked on finding solutions for. [26:30] - There are always going to be challenges and barriers when doing impactful work. Links and Resources: Environmental Protection Agency Website

The Climate Investment Funds (CIF) is an enabler of pioneering climate-smart planning and climate action in low and middle-income economies, many of which are the least prepared yet the most prone to the challenges of climate change. CIF responds to the worldwide climate crisis with large-scale, low-cost, and long-term financial solutions to support countries in achieving their climate objectives. It is in the Climate Investment Funds' core beliefs that helping communities shift faster to clean and green practices strengthens populations' resilience against climate risks, stabilizes national and regional economies, and paves the way for more sustainable development where no one is left behind. As the Senior Climate Change Specialist and Clean Energy Lead, Daniel Morris works with the Climate Investment Funds' partners to help deliver transformational change in the energy systems of developing countries. Daniel's 12 years of experience in working to build economic and policy solutions to the climate crisis are also derived from his previous roles as an Advisor to the US Executive Director of the World Bank and as a Policy Analyst in the US Treasury. In the latter position, he helped to execute the agency's responsibilities related to the United States' climate and energy agenda.  Show Notes: [1:20] - Daniel shares his background and how he found himself in his current role at CIF. [4:25] - It is important to Daniel to do good work that makes a difference. [7:09] - Starting out as a consultant, he was able to establish some networking and the opportunity to learn more about CIF before being fully employed there. [8:36] - Especially early in your career, take advantage of any opportunity you come across that can build your skills. [9:56] - Understand the strengths of all the team members. [12:34] - Daniel discusses the work streams and structures at CIF. [13:56] - CIF partners with governments and multilateral development banks to develop country-led investment plans. [16:27] - Daniel describes some of the programs at CIF and the focuses of each. [17:48] - CIF covers a range of climate innovations, and Daniel oversees Clean Energy. [21:53] - It is not a universal access model. [23:27] - Daniel explains the changes and growth since the start of CIF. [26:56] - From a commercial viability standpoint, what can CIF offer? [30:15] - Daniel describes the enthusiasm and motivation for developing countries looking for clean energy. [33:42] - Reflecting on his career path, Daniel shares the advice he would give himself at different stages in the development. Links and Resources: Climate Investment Funds Website

The mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to protect human health and the environment. To accomplish this mission, the EPA strives to develop and enforce regulations, provide grants, study environmental issues, sponsor partnerships, teach people about the environment, and publish information to keep the public informed. Surabhi Shah has been working at the intersection of environmental protection and community work for three decades. At the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, she has led programs in community revitalization, environmental justice and water quality. Surabhi's leadership in building partnerships with communities, government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector was recognized by the Partnership for Public Service with the Service to America medal for “most admirable contribution to the American people”. Prior to joining EPA, Surabhi held leadership positions at the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality in their hazardous waste and drinking water programs. Show Notes: [1:14] - Surabhi shares her background and a bit about her work at the EPA. [3:01] - People are trying to make change happen and that's what Surabhi was attracted to at the start of her career. [5:38] - Surabhi shares some of the things she did and had to remember that helped her through working in the government and moving up at the EPA. [8:45] - You can study government, but when you find yourself in an organization, you have to learn the culture. [9:55] - Mentorship is very important and can make the biggest difference. [12:01] - Something that can be tricky is when government policy changes. Surabhi describes some of the different focuses through different administrations. [14:54] - If you want change to last, you have to consider culture. [15:58] - Surabhi demonstrates how we think about change. Can we change the structures and systems that we don't even think about? [20:56] - Grants would also be in the community action roadmap system. [24:54] - Surabhi explains how a roadmap can help advance an agenda based on the current administration. [28:01] - There is a balance that needs to be found to advance an agenda and guide political leadership. [30:03] - Not long ago, we really couldn't talk about climate change. But now there's a huge body of work and a report can quickly change things. [32:31] - How do we make sure that something is an impactful investment when things are constantly changing? [34:38] - You can do exactly what you want to do, career-wise, and keep the climate crisis in mind. [38:29] - Surabhi demonstrates how every career field impacts the climate crisis. Links and Resources: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Website

C40 is a global network of nearly 100 mayors of the world's leading cities that are united in action to confront the climate crisis. Mayors of C40 cities are committed to using an inclusive, science-based and collaborative approach to cut their fair share of emissions in half by 2030, help the world limit global heating to 1.5°C, and build healthy, equitable and resilient communities. Zachary Tofias serves as the Director of the Food and Waste Programme at C40. His work supports C40 cities' transition toward regenerative resource management and reducing emissions through more sustainable consumption. The Food and Waste Programme is helping cities accelerate a worldwide transition to more effective municipal solid waste management, and the implementation of comprehensive solutions that reduce carbon emissions and increase resiliency throughout the urban food system. Zach has been with the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group since 2007 in partnership with the Clinton Climate Initiative. Over the course of this time, he has been City Director in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, created and led the Climate Positive Development Programme, was the head of Urban Planning and Development, and recently was the Interim Director of Adaptation. Show Notes: [1:14] - Zachary describes C40 and what the mission and unique structure is. [2:16] - C40 started in 2006 as a global collaboration of mega cities. [3:44] - Accelerators are science-based targets that show what is the highest level of science-based actions that cities should be taking. [5:45] - Zach explains the peer cities model C40 uses to collaborate globally. [11:35] - Large cities are the form of government that is closest to the people. [13:47] - Zach is extremely optimistic about the opportunities for action towards making people's lives better. [15:47] - Engaging with the private sector is a space of enormous possibility. [17:08] - Zach lists some of the areas of opportunities and solutions. [18:44] - Everybody can and should be involved in the climate space. Links and Resources: C40 Website

The Office of Policy advises and supports priorities of the Secretary of Energy and other departmental elements on a range of topics related to domestic energy and climate policy issues, including technology policy, deployment and infrastructure policy, state, local, tribal, and territorial policy, and energy jobs.  The Office of Policy works collaboratively across the department and federal government, leveraging existing capabilities of program offices and national labs to achieve policy analysis objectives and build long-term analytical capabilities. Carla Frisch is the Acting Executive Director and Principal Deputy Director of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Policy. The Office of Policy provides analysis on all aspects of the energy sector and works across government to enable policy in support of a clean energy economy. Frisch has directed DOE offices focused on climate and environment, energy efficiency, renewable energy, transportation, and electricity systems. She has worked extensively on energy system vulnerabilities and solutions. Previously, she led the U.S. Program at RMI and was an Adjunct Professor at Northwestern University. Frisch holds degrees from Duke University and UNC Chapel Hill. Show Notes: [2:49] - We are currently in a historic moment for energy policy, climate policy, and the American economy. [4:13] - Since 2021, we have seen over 400 new or expanded manufacturing facilities in the US. Carla shares some data and goals for upcoming years. [5:40] - This is the result of a concerted industrial strategy with four pillars. [7:54] - Carla explains the DOE's role, specifically the Office of Policy, regarding the Inflation Reduction Act. [11:09] - We're seeing a major shift and impact in the US, saving Americans money on their utility bills and reducing US greenhouse gas emissions. [13:40] - We are also experiencing a historic moment when it comes to this tax credit. [16:46] - There is a tax credit for an energy audit for those who don't know where to start. [18:54] - What job and career opportunities are there at the DOE? [20:45] - Carla shares what inspired her to commit to climate policy and the advice she has for those looking to do that same. Links and Resources: Energy.gov