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Send me a messageHow do we scale nature-based carbon removal without greenwashing or over-promising? That's exactly what I explore in this episode with Lisett Luik, co-founder of Arbonics.We all know forests are powerful carbon sinks. But turning that into credible, measurable climate action is harder than it sounds. Lisett shares how Arbonics is using satellite data, digital twins, and over 50 layers of land analysis to help landowners across Europe grow new forests or manage existing ones for long-term carbon storage, without defaulting to clear-cutting or monoculture plantations.We discuss the difference between planting trees and restoring ecosystems, how continuous cover forestry can deliver carbon and timber, and why Europe's underused farmland holds massive potential for afforestation. Lisett also tackles the big issue of trust in carbon markets - explaining how dynamic baselines, data transparency, and strong EU regulations are helping improve the integrity of nature-based carbon credits.If you work in sustainability, forestry, or carbon markets, or you just want to understand the real role of nature-based solutions alongside tech like direct air capture, this episode is for you.Listen now to learn how technology and nature can work together to deliver scalable, high-quality carbon removal.Find out more at https://arbonics.com, and connect with Lisett on Bluesky here.Digital Disruption with Geoff Nielson Discover how technology is reshaping our lives and livelihoods.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's amazing supporters: Lorcan Sheehan Jerry Sweeney Andreas Werner Stephen Carroll Roger Arnold And remember you too can Support the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Climate Confident episodes like this one.ContactIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - get in touch via direct message on Twitter/LinkedIn. If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover the show. CreditsMusic credits - Intro by Joseph McDade, and Outro music for this podcast was composed, played, and produced by my daughter Luna Juniper
Brandon Middaugh is the senior director of Microsoft's $1 billion Climate Innovation Fund, created in 2020 to accelerate technologies that help Microsoft and the wider economy meet aggressive 2030 sustainability goals: carbon‑negative, water‑positive, zero‑waste and ecosystem‑protective. Five years in, Brandon shares how the fund's “invest‑to‑procure” model aligns capital with Microsoft's own demand for clean power, fuels, carbon removal, low‑carbon materials and water solutions; what's working (a 5‑fold jump in durable CDR contracted since launch) and where supply still lags; and why scaling markets—not just piloting tech—is central to Microsoft's moon‑shot roadmap toward net‑zero and beyond. In this episode, we cover: [01:43] Microsoft's ambitious 2030 sustainability targets[02:59] Brandon's path toward climate finance[10:59] The fund's “north star” [12:18] How carbon removal demand still dwarfs current supply[17:14] Airline partnerships supporting Microsoft's net-zero goals[19:46] Investment and procurement teams' flywheel collaboration[23:22] Water-related investments and initiatives[29:36] Program mandates: innovate, accelerate, and scale[31:57] Brandon's advice on transparent engagement with Microsoft[36:43] Predicting highly distributed future energy systems[40:16] How transformation only seems inevitable in hindsightEpisode recorded on April 10, 2025 (Published on May 12, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant
Carbon offsets aren't enough. To truly tackle climate change, we need a global industry dedicated to pulling carbon out of the air and at massive scale. Join hosts John and Sonia inside the innovation race to scale carbon removal technologies, featuring insights from leading voices in the field.They speak with Dr. David Keith, a pioneering climate scientist and founder of Carbon Engineering, who unpacks the technological, policy, and economic hurdles to direct air capture and other approaches. You'll also hear from two recent XPRIZE Carbon Removal winners, Mike Kelland of Planetary Technologies and Jim Mann of UNDO about how their startups are using ocean alkalinity and enhanced rock weathering to permanently sequester CO₂, while also delivering benefits to farmers and marine ecosystems.Together, they explore whether the world can build a scalable, measurable, and credible carbon removal industry – one capable of drawing down billions of tons of CO₂ annually.
RepAir recently raised a $15 million extension to its Series A. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What if the only way to save the planet... is to cool it? Not figuratively—literally. Because the heatwaves, floods, and fires you've seen so far? They're just the beginning.
Send us a textThere's something in Carbon Removal for everyone — are we building enduring relationships to advance the sector?A bonus EvC episode - on February 27, 2025, EvC co-host Ed Whittingham hosted a panel discussion at Carbon Removal Canada's Carbon Removal Day in Ottawa. They cover a number of topics including the changing political headwinds in the US, efforts to bolster investment in Canada, and silicon valley's interest in CDR. Plus, they take a few audience questions.Detailed show notes on episode page.About Our Guests:Lucy Hargreaves is the VP of Corporate Affairs & Policy at Patch, a SF-based carbon markets platform that's accelerating investment into global climate action at scale. Beyond her work at Patch, Lucy is part of the core team driving Build Canada and Canada Spends, volunteer-led initiatives focused on helping Canadian entrepreneurs share their ideas for a bolder, richer, freer country and making government spending more accessible and transparent. Daniel Kelter is Carbon Removal Canada's Director of Government Relations, a strategic policy advisor who excels at connecting political insight with industry challenges. With experience working alongside Members of Parliament and navigating the intricacies of hard-to-decarbonize sectors like fertilizer and steel, Daniel has been instrumental in crafting advocacy strategies that forge strong government-industry partnerships."Jorden Dye is the director for the Business Renewables Centre-Canada and the Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Centre, both initiatives of the Pembina Institute focused on accelerating climate action through corporate procurement. His work includes leading a community of over 60 participating organizations across Canada to spur renewable energy development and developing educational resources to introduce carbon dioxide removal to new audiences.Produced by Amit Tandon & Bespoke Podcasts___Energy vs Climatewww.energyvsclimate.com Bluesky | YouTube | LinkedIn | X/Twitter
This episode of Plan Sea was recorded live at the Ocean Visions Biennial Summit 2025, and features conversations with experts from Ocean Visions, UArctic, and WHOI to discuss their work in the ocean-climate nexus. Host Anna Madlener is joined again by special co-host, Danny Gawlowski, Carbon to Sea's Senior Manager of Communications and Policy. Listen to Part One of Plan Sea's coverage of the Ocean Vision Biennial here.Guests on this episode include: Nikhil Neelakantan, Senior Program Officer at Ocean VisionsMarianne Hagen, Co-lead of Seabed Curtain Project at UArctic Frozen Arctic Conservation NetworkKilaparti (Rama) Ramakrishna, Director of Marine Policy Center and Senior Advisor to the President on Ocean and Climate Policy at Woods Hole Oceanographic InstitutionDavid Koweek, Chief Scientist at Ocean VisionsPlan Sea is a semi-weekly podcast exploring ocean-based climate solutions, brought to you by the Carbon to Sea Initiative & the American University Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal.
The purchase covers 12 years of emissions from CO280's first carbon capture project at a mill on the Gulf Coast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This episode of Plan Sea was recorded live at the Ocean Visions Biennial Summit 2025, and features conversation with Ocean Visions CEO Brad Ack and other attendees to discuss their work in ocean-based carbon dioxide removal (oCDR). Host Anna Madlener is joined by a special co-host, Danny Gawlowski, Carbon to Sea's Senior Manager of Communications and Policy.Guests on this episode include: Brad Ack, CEO of Ocean VisionsMarc von Keitz, Director at The Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the EnvironmentMariam Swaleh, Assistant Registrar of Research and Grants at Technical University of Mombasa, Team Lead at Ocean-Climate Innovation Hub Kenya, and OCI Fellow at the Global Ecosystem of Ocean SolutionsLily Schacht, Senior Carbon Removal Verification Engineer at 350SolutionsMeg Chadsey, Carbon Specialist at Washington Sea GrantPlan Sea is a semi-weekly podcast exploring ocean-based climate solutions, brought to you by the Carbon to Sea Initiative & the American University Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal.
This week on Everybody in the Pool, Molly Wood talks with Brad Hartwig, co-founder and CEO of Arbor Energy. Brad shares his remarkable journey from SpaceX rocket engineer to climate tech entrepreneur, developing technology that transforms waste biomass into carbon-negative energy using rocket propulsion principles. Yep, you read that right. A guy who used to want to be an astronaut woke up one day and realized this planet was the place to put his energy. Find out how Arbor's tech could replace fossil fuel plants while simultaneously removing carbon from the atmosphere.Show HighlightsBrad's transition from aerospace engineering at SpaceX to climate tech after witnessing California wildfires firsthandHow Arbor Energy's technology uses "oxy combustion" (inspired by rocket engines) to generate clean electricity while capturing carbonThe system produces no emissions - only pure CO2 (for sequestration) and clean waterPotential to replace up to 60 gigawatts of coal and natural gas plants in the US with carbon-negative powerUses only waste biomass from agriculture, forestry, and potentially municipal wasteEconomic benefits for wildfire prevention through monetizing brush clearingFirst commercial deployment targeted for 2027ResourcesArbor EnergyBrad HartwigMinistry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson - Climate fiction book mentioned by BradAll episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/Become a member and get an ad-free version of the podcast: https://plus.acast.com/s/everybody-in-the-poolPlease subscribe and tell your friends about Everybody in the Pool! Send feedback or become a sponsor at in@everybodyinthepool.com! To support the show and get an ad-free listening experience, please jump in and become a member of Everybody in the Pool! https://plus.acast.com/s/everybody-in-the-pool. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this edition of Plan Sea, hosts Anna Madlener and Wil Burns are joined by Drs. Sara Seck and Neil Craik to discuss the current governance and public funding landscape for ocean-based carbon dioxide removal (oCDR) research and innovation in Canada. They focus particularly on jurisdictional challenges in Nova Scotia, related to an increase in oCDR R&D in the province over recent years, and discuss broadly how to strengthen future policymaker and public engagement.Sara Seck is a Professor of Law at Dalhousie University's Schulich School of Law, serving as the Yogis and Keddy Chair in Human Rights Law and the Director of the Marine & Environmental Law Institute. Dr. Seck sheds light on the complex and overlapping jurisdiction of land and ocean rights in Canada. She shares insights for oCDR stakeholders seeking to navigate this landscape to address permitting and other governance issues in coordination with the federal Canadian government, provincial governments, and First Nations leadership. Neil Craik is a Professor at the University of Waterloo, with appointments to the Basillie School of International Affairs (BSIA) and the School of Environment, Enterprise, and Development. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation and Co-Lead of the Environment and Resources Research Cluster at the BSIA. Dr. Craik discusses legislation and public funding opportunities that can help support oCDR initiatives in Canada. He also explains current procurement strategies for carbon credits across both the public and private sectors, and how oCDR can work towards compliance to access this market in the future. During the episode, the Plan Sea guests and hosts consider the implications of good governance and policy on advancing the development and funding of oCDR initiatives. The oCDR field is reaching a pivotal moment, with many research projects now moving towards real-world field trials that will answer key scientific questions but also raise new challenges for navigating existing and emerging legislation. Doubling-down on public engagement and unlocking new funding opportunities will be increasingly important for advancing oCDR activities in Canada and elsewhere.ACRONYMS / CONCEPTS:CDR: Carbon Dioxide Removal mCDR: Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal MRV: Measurement, Reporting, and Verification BBNJ Agreement: Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas beyond National JurisdictionTCA: Transforming Climate Action Research ProgramPlan Sea is a semi-weekly podcast exploring ocean-based climate solutions, brought to you by the Carbon to Sea Initiative & the American University Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal.
Send us a textEvC co-host Ed Whittingham's new series on Carbon Dioxide RemovalHost Ed Whittingham dives into the world of Direct Air Capture (DAC), a technology that extracts carbon dioxide directly from the ambient air. Ed explores the early history of carbon dioxide removal, why it could be useful in fighting climate change, and challenges the technology has faced along the way. Guests include: Klaus Lackner, professor at Arizona State University and often referred to as the “Grandfather of DAC”David Keith, professor at the University of Chicago and a DAC pioneer who founded the company Carbon Engineering Paul McKendrick, author of the book that inspired this series Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or on your podcast app of choice.Learn more at www.scrubbingthesky.comFollow us on: LinkedIn | Bluesky__Produced by Amit Tandon & Bespoke Podcasts.The podcast is part of the Carbon Herald's podcast network.___Energy vs Climatewww.energyvsclimate.com Bluesky | YouTube | LinkedIn | X/Twitter
In this episode of Plan Sea, hosts Anna Madlener and Wil Burns are joined by several guests to discuss new initiatives to improve data management and transparency in the carbon dioxide removal (CDR) industry. Jacki Long is an ocean scientist and co-founder of Submarine Scientific, a scientific consulting company focused on ocean modeling, expert verification support, and system wide strategy development for ocean-based carbon dioxide removal (oCDR). Jacki joins the Plan Sea hosts to discuss Submarine's work pioneering a new initiative to standardize emerging data from ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) field trials. In collaboration with Carbon to Sea and the National Ocean Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Submarine's data protocol is undergoing an open comment period through March 7th, allowing researchers, partners, and community members to submit feedback. Brad Rochlin and Tannis Thorlakson join to discuss their work at Cascade Climate, a philanthropically-backed nonprofit working to accelerate natural climate interventions such as enhanced rock weathering (ERW). Brad and Tannis share insights from Cascade's development of a data quarry method that could fill an important gap in existing carbon data quantification methods — and ultimately unlock greater scientific understanding of ERW.During the episode, the guests and hosts consider how these data standardization and sharing efforts — across the OAE and ERW fields — are laying the foundation for enhanced research efficiency and increasing public trust in CDR methods as potentially viable solutions to slow the impacts of climate change. The ongoing work from Submarine Scientific and Cascade Climate aim to help researchers share learnings in real time, improve collaboration, and support data transparency. ACRONYMS / CONCEPTS:CDR - carbon dioxide removalERW - enhanced rock weatheringOAE - ocean alkalinity enhancementIP - intellectual property (29:38) NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (38:28)CDRXIV (pronounced “see-dee archive”) (38:46)Hourglass (Listen to a previous episode here) (38:53)R&D - research & development (43:43)Plan Sea is a semi-weekly podcast exploring ocean-based climate solutions, brought to you by the Carbon to Sea Initiative & the American University Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal.
In this episode of our podcast, we dive deep into the transformative potential of Africa in the global shift towards a sustainable future, featuring an insightful conversation with James Mwangi, co-founder of Dahlberg and a leading advocate for innovative climate solutions in Kenya. We begin by discussing Africa's booming population and rich natural resources, which James argues position the continent as a powerhouse for innovation and leadership in the climate fight. Contrary to the narrative that views Africa as a victim of climate change, James emphasizes the continent's potential to lead, particularly through initiatives like the Great Carbon Valley, which aims to make Kenya a hub for carbon removals, including advanced technologies like direct air capture. Throughout our conversation, we explore several paradoxes that complicate the implementation of carbon markets. James introduces his own concepts, such as the "power illusion," which challenges the belief that blocking carbon removals will compel fossil fuel companies to reduce emissions. He also discusses the "mastery illusion," which suggests that expertise in climate solutions lies solely in the Global North, ignoring the talent and knowledge present in Africa. We delve into the work of the Climate Action Platform Africa (CAPE) and Africa Climate Ventures (ACV), two organizations James has founded to drive climate-positive growth in the region. CAPE focuses on identifying and realizing opportunities for sustainable development, while ACV invests in companies that address the climate crisis, showcasing innovative projects like biochar production and the Great Carbon Valley initiative. James shares the story of Safi Organics, a company utilizing rice husks to create biochar, which not only serves as a sustainable fertilizer but also contributes to carbon removal. We discuss the importance of transitional finance and the concept of additionality, emphasizing that carbon finance can catalyze projects that are already delivering value to communities. As we shift our focus to the Great Carbon Valley, James outlines Kenya's unique advantages, including its abundant renewable energy resources and geothermal potential. He argues that direct air capture can thrive in Kenya, leveraging the country's surplus energy to support industries that require significant power, ultimately benefiting local economies. We also touch on the recent developments in Kenya's carbon market regulations, which aim to create a competitive environment for carbon finance while prioritizing local benefits. James highlights the importance of building a market that is not only designed for Africa but also driven by local talent and innovation. In closing, we reflect on the need to reverse the brain drain and create opportunities for Africa's best and brightest to thrive at home. This episode is a powerful reminder of the potential for African leadership in the climate space and the importance of fostering local solutions to global challenges. Join us as we explore these critical issues and envision a sustainable future where Africa plays a central role. Timestamps 00:00:00 - Introduction to Africa's Potential in Climate Solutions 00:01:00 - James Mwangi's Background and Career 00:07:00 - Climate Action Platform Africa (CAPE) 00:09:30 - Africa Climate Ventures (ACV) 00:11:30 - The Role of Biochar in Carbon Removal 00:20:00 - The Importance of Additionality in Carbon Finance 00:27:00 - Safi Organics and Biochar Production 00:30:00 - Great Carbon Valley: Kenya's Direct Air Capture Initiative 00:36:00 - Kenya's Geothermal Energy Potential 00:40:00 - Kenya's New Carbon Market Regulations 00:45:00 - The Future of African Talent and Climate Solutions
Welcome back to Environmental Professionals Radio, Connecting the Environmental Professionals Community Through Conversation, with your hosts Laura Thorne and Nic Frederick! On today's episode, we talk with Dr. Sotiria Anagnostou, Head of Climate Risk Technical Services and Executive Director of AZ CleanTech about Climate Sustainability, Carbon Removal, and Clean Tech. Read her full bio below.Help us continue to create great content! If you'd like to sponsor a future episode hit the support podcast button or visit www.environmentalprofessionalsradio.com/sponsor-form Showtimes: 0:20 - Fun Cat Fact!1:45 - Nic talks giving yourself a break3:37 - Interview starts21:01 - Game changers in climate tech29:45 - Getting her start in climate in Puerto Rico Please be sure to ✔️subscribe, ⭐rate and ✍review. This podcast is produced by the National Association of Environmental Professions (NAEP). Check out all the NAEP has to offer at NAEP.org.Connect with Dr. Sotiria Anagnostou at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sotiriaphd/Guest Bio: Dr. Sotiria Anagnostou is a seasoned corporate sustainability executive with over 15 years of experience in ESG and sustainability, focusing on decarbonization strategies and climate risk. She holds a PhD in Climate Risk and Adaptation from Arizona State University and a MA in Energy and Environmental Analysis from Boston University. Sotiria has directed ESG integration and sustainability programs at major corporations, including STORE Capital, Ingevity Corporation, and Whirlpool, along with sustainable investing and ESG initiatives at Federated Investors. Her expertise encompasses climate adaptation, corporate sustainability, and leveraging data for informed decision-making, aiming to foster inclusive growth and resilience.Music CreditsIntro: Givin Me Eyes by Grace MesaOutro: Never Ending Soul Groove by Mattijs MullerSupport the showThanks for listening! A new episode drops every Friday. Like, share, subscribe, and/or sponsor to help support the continuation of the show. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and all your favorite podcast players.
Producer's Note: The following episode of the podcast was recorded prior to the 2024 presidential election. In this week's episode, host Daniel Raimi talks with Holly Buck, an associate professor at the University of Buffalo and climate justice fellow at the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at Harvard University. Buck shares insights from interviews with 100 experts, government officials, and members of the public across diverse industries and regions of the United States about strategies for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Buck also discusses the broader energy transition, the effect of the federal policies related to this transition, and the challenges that communities face in implementing lower-carbon technologies. References and recommendations: “100 Conversations on Carbon Removal, Decarbonization, and Desired Futures” by Holly Jean Buck and Travis Young; https://www.decarb.social/ “Fulfillment: Winning and Losing in One-Click America” by Alec MacGillis; https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374159276/fulfillment
Read the Op-Ed here:https://www.betterworlds.com/why-physics-economics-and-reality-stand-in-the-way-of-carbon-removal/
In this episode of Hashtag Trending Weekend Edition, host Jim Love explores the challenges facing Canada as it transitions into the AI age. Joined by guest Senator Colin Deacon, a former entrepreneur and now a proactive political figure, they delve into Canada's historical resilience, current economic threats, and the need for a digital and AI-driven transformation. They discuss the importance of regulatory reform, innovation, and the role of digital government in tackling future challenges. The episode highlights the need for a collective Canadian effort to adapt and thrive in the evolving global economy. 00:00 Introduction and Canada's Current Challenges 01:46 Historical Context: Canada's Transformation During WWII 03:38 Personal Reflections and Canada's Lost Path 04:47 The Digital and AI Economy: Opportunities and Threats 05:10 Interview with Senator Colin Deacon: Current State and Future Prospects 09:52 The Need for Digital Government and Overcoming Disinformation 13:03 Bank Fraud and the Failure to Embrace Digital Economy 15:00 Encouraging Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Canada 18:05 Regulatory Reform and Government's Role in Innovation 24:08 The Risk Management Dilemma 24:42 Silicon Valley's Monopoly Problem 25:44 Ukraine's Digital Transformation 27:04 Canada's Potential for Leadership 30:46 The Importance of Political Unity 41:26 Opportunities in Carbon Removal 42:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Out today: Nat Bullard's 200-page slide deck with data from across the energy transition. Nat is the former chief content officer at BloombergNEF and current co-founder at data insights company Halcyon. In part one of their two-part conversation, Shayle cherry-picked the most interesting slides and sat down with Nat to unpack them. They cover topics like: Accidental solar geoengineering and the state of aerosols The United States' record-setting fossil fuels exports Whether Chinese oil demand is peaking Conflicting indicators for the state of ESG investing Whether you can have too many carbon removal startups Recommended resources Catalyst: Putting a halt to geoengineering — by accident Catalyst: 2024 trends: batteries, transferable tax credits, and the cost of capital Catalyst: 2023 trends: biomass, ESG, batteries and more Catalyst is brought to you by EnergyHub. EnergyHub helps utilities build next-generation virtual power plants that unlock reliable flexibility at every level of the grid. See how EnergyHub helps unlock the power of flexibility at scale, and deliver more value through cross-DER dispatch with their leading Edge DERMS platform, by visiting energyhub.com. Catalyst is brought to you by Antenna Group, the public relations and strategic marketing agency of choice for climate and energy leaders. If you're a startup, investor, or global corporation that's looking to tell your climate story, demonstrate your impact, or accelerate your growth, Antenna Group's team of industry insiders is ready to help. Learn more at antennagroup.com.
Prelude Ventures is a climate tech investment firm focusing on early-stage startups. They invest primarily in seed and Series A rounds, supporting founders with innovative technologies addressing climate challenges. They began in 2009 and have about $2 billion under management. Matt Eggers, Managing Director at Prelude Ventures, has a wealth of experience in climate tech investing and manufacturing. Plus, he serves on one of our boards at Duke University, the EDGE Center at our Fuqua School of Business, so you know he can pick great teams! Prior roles include Partner at Breakthrough Energy Ventures and operational roles at Sunrun, Tesla, Genentech, and Bloom Energy. Here are four topics we covered: Climate Tech Investment Strategy: Prelude focuses on strong teams, scalable technologies, and significant markets for venture-backed growth. A great team can overcome deficiencies in technology or business models and drive a startup's success. Creative Financing Solutions: Examples of combining venture capital, grants, and equipment financing for first-of-a-kind manufacturing facilities like Lux Wall. Biogenic Carbon Capture: Insights into innovative approaches like Graphite and Vaulted Deep, which address both carbon removal and waste management. Personal Habits for Leaders: Matt highlights outdoor activities, meditation, and self-reflection as critical practices for mental well-being and leadership focus.
Google has agreed to purchase 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide removal credits from Indian startup Varaha. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Climate philanthropies are playing an increasingly important role in funding climate action. In 2023, an estimated $9-16 billion was spent by philanthropies on programs to mitigate climate change. But how do they choose how to spend it? And what role should philanthropy play in catalysing innovation? Bryony Worthington sits down with Greg de Temmerman, Deputy CEO of the Quadrature Climate Foundation, to explore these critical questions. As a former plasma physicist who worked on the world's largest nuclear fusion project before transitioning into philanthropy, Greg brings a unique perspective to the climate challenge. Greg shares his insights on the progress and challenges in fusion research, highlighting the importance of material science breakthroughs and the role of AI in advancing the field. He then discusses his transition from research to the think tank world, where he sought to provide a more science-based approach to climate solutions and address the growing anti-tech sentiment in France. The conversation delves into Quadrature's evidence-based, pragmatic approach to philanthropy, and Greg's views on the foundation's support for geoengineering research and carbon removal technologies. He emphasises the need to grapple with the complexities of the energy transition, including the social and political challenges of managing winners and losers, and explains why he thinks the climate fight is like ultra-running. Leadership Circle: Cleaning Up is supported by the Leadership Circle, and its founding members: Actis, Alcazar Energy, EcoPragma Capital, EDP of Portugal, Eurelectric, the Gilardini Foundation, KKR, National Grid, Octopus Energy, Quadrature Climate Foundation, SDCL and Wärtsilä. For more information on the Leadership Circle, please visit https://www.cleaningup.live. Links: Quadrature Climate FoundationKelly Wanser on Geoengineering Anand Gopal on Thermal Storage and Carbon Removal
Hannah Bebbington is the Head of Deployment at Frontier, an advanced market commitment created in 2022, that aims to purchase $1 billion or more of permanent carbon removal by 2030. Founded by Stripe, Alphabet, Shopify, Meta, and McKinsey, Frontier has quickly become a leading force in the carbon removal space. Its portfolio includes a "who's who" of innovators pushing the boundaries of what's possible in carbon removal—many of whom have been guests on this show. Cody catches up with Hannah to explore how Frontier's program is structured, what they've learned so far, and her perspective on the state of carbon removal today.In this episode, we cover: [2:03] What is Frontier? An intro to its $1B commitment to carbon removal[7:00] The scale of the carbon removal challenge and future funding needs[10:42] Gaps in the industry: demand, investment, and measurement[13:21] Hannah's background and role as Head of Deployment[16:10] Frontier's advanced market commitment model explained[18:05] How Frontier supports early-stage companies through pre-purchases[21:32] Tips for startups applying to Frontier's programs[27:19] Frontier's offtake track for scaling larger projects[30:16] The importance of measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV)[35:05] Frontier's criteria for funding: scale, cost, and permanence[42:14] Microsoft's role as a leader in carbon removal[47:24] Key terms in Frontier's offtake agreements[55:08] The impact of the data center boom on carbon removal[57:01] Carbon removal's bipartisan support and policy outlookRecommended Listening:MCJ Startup Series: Charm IndustrialPermanent Geologic Carbon Storage with Vaulted DeepEnhanced Rock Weathering with Lithos CarbonCarbon Removal and Climate Policy with Heirloom and Senator Scott WienerEpisode recorded on Nov 22, 2024 (Published on Dec 9, 2024) Stay Connected with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedIn | XVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ NewsletterEnjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.
In this edition of Plan Sea, hosts Anna Madlener and Wil Burns are joined by Captura CEO Steve Oldham to discuss Direct Ocean Capture technology. Captura is a Pasadena, CA-based company that is exploring the use of renewable energy to remove carbon from the ocean as a low-cost, large-scale climate solution.Learn more about Captura's DOC approach and propriety technology on their website here. Listen to our previous episode with Banyu Carbon's Co-Founder & CEO Alex Gagnonon here.Acronyms used throughout the episode:DAC - Direct Air Capture (6:38)RD&D - Research, Development, and Demonstration (21:21)KPIs - Key Performance Indicators (22:17)MRV - Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (35:34)Plan Sea is a semi-weekly podcast exploring ocean-based climate solutions, brought to you by the Carbon to Sea Initiative & the American University Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal.
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.***Lisa Mangertseder, a venture capital associate at Carbon Removal Partners, joins the podcast to explore the critical role of carbon removal in combating climate change. Carbon Removal Partners has invested in 15+ startups including Climeworks, Carbonfuture, and Heirloom.In our conversation, we discuss:* The carbon removal methods: from nature-based to high-tech solutions* Measuring and verifying carbon removal effectively* Business models and the evolving role of buyers* The importance of venture capital in scaling carbon removal technologies* Challenges of achieving scalability and affordability* The significance of compliance markets in driving adoption* The future of carbon removal as a cornerstone for net-zero goals***TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 01:14 Understanding CO2 and Its Impact 04:34 The Rise of the Carbon Market 09:16 Carbon Removal Technologies Explained 18:53 Direct Air Capture: The High-Tech Solution 21:25 Business Models in Carbon Removal 22:16 Understanding Carbon Removal Credits 22:50 Key Players in the Carbon Removal Industry 23:21 Revenue Streams for Carbon Removal Companies 24:44 Buyers of Carbon Credits 26:05 Challenges in Carbon Removal 27:43 The Importance of Permanent Carbon Removal 30:14 Scalability and Affordability 37:27 The Role of Venture Capital43:15 Advice for Entrepreneurs and Investors 45:39 Future Milestones in Carbon Removal 46:51 Conclusion and Summary***REFERENCED• Kyoto Protocol (1997)• Paris Agreement (2015)• Technological Readiness Level (TRL)• CDR.fyi• IPCC Standards• Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement• Carbon Removal Resources Database***GUEST▶️ Lisa Mangertseder - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-mangertseder***If you're new here, I'm Hugo Rauch, the founder of VCo2 media and an aspiring climate tech VC who shares insights, interviews, and research about venture capital and climate tech. My goal is to help you become a better climate-tech entrepreneur and smarter impact investor. CONNECT WITH ME ▶️ Newsletter - https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com
What is carbon mineralization?As defined by the U.S. Geological Survey, “carbon mineralization is the process by which carbon dioxide becomes a solid mineral, such as a carbonate…The biggest advantage of carbon mineralization is that the carbon cannot escape back to the atmosphere.” This generally occurs by injecting carbon dioxide underground into certain rock formations so the carbon dioxide takes on a solid form: trapped and unable to reach the atmosphere. How does carbon mineralization work?Two of the main methods in which carbon mineralization occurs are ex-situ carbon mineralization and in-situ carbon mineralization. With ex-situ carbon mineralization, carbon dioxide solids are transported to a site to react with fluids—like water—and gas. In-situ carbon mineralization is the opposite—fluids containing carbon dioxide are funneled through rock formations in which it solidifies. Both of these methods result in carbon dioxide trapped in a solidified form. In a third method of carbon mineralization, surificial mineralization, carbon dioxide reacts with alkaline substances—such as mine tailings, smelter slags, or sedimentary formations—which result in the carbon dioxide taking on a solidified form. In the case of in-situ carbon mineralization or surificial mineralization, carbon dioxide can react with surface water rather than an artificial fluid, replicating natural processes of carbon mineralization.Currently, the biggest drawbacks and barriers preventing carbon mineralization from taking hold as a major climate solution lie in cost and research uncertainties regarding environmental risks. In terms of cost, the price for carbon mineralization is high: 5 million dollars per well to inject carbon dioxide into rock formations. Further, the risks for groundwater and its susceptibility to contamination through this method is unknown, and the potential side effects of contaminating water formations could be devastating for ecological communities which thrive off of these water systems.Who is our guest?Dr. Rob Jackson is a professor and senior research fellow at Stanford University, and author of Into the Clear Blue Sky, a novel on climate solutions. His lab focuses on using scientific knowledge to shape climate policies and reduce the environmental footprint of human activities. Currently, he chairs the Global Carbon Project, an effort to measure and control greenhouse gas emissions.ResourcesUSGS: U.S. Geological SurveyScienceDirect: A holistic overview of the in-situ and ex-situ carbon mineralization: Methods, mechanisms, and technical challengesNational Center for Biotechnology Information: Negative Emissions Technologies and Reliable Sequestration: A Research Agenda.Frontiers: An Overview of the Status and Challenges of CO2 Storage in Minerals and Geological FormationsFurther ReadingThe New York Times: How Oman's Rocks Could Help Save the PlanetClimate Break: Rerun: Using Concrete for Carbon Removal with Dr. Erica DoddsFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/carbon-capture-mineralization-with-dr-rob-jackson/
In this edition of Plan Sea, hosts Anna Madlener and Wil Burns are joined by returning guest Mike Kelland, CEO and co-founder of Planetary Technologies, as well as Dr. Will Burt, Planetary's Chief Ocean Scientist. Planetary is an ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) startup based in Halifax, Canada.Link to Planetary's webinar on recent trial results here. Listen to our first episode with Mike Kelland here. ACRONYMS / CONCEPTS:NOAA (19:39): National Oceanographic and Atmospheric AssociationMRV (32:39): Monitoring, Reporting and VerificationROMS (34:35): Regional Ocean Modeling SystemEPA (53:06): Environmental Protection AgencyLondon Convention and Protocol (53:41)Plan Sea is a semi-weekly podcast exploring ocean-based climate solutions, brought to you by the Carbon to Sea Initiative & the American University Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal.
Today, we have a world exclusive. Will O'Brien unveils his stealth startup to the world for the first time. Will is my pick for the rising star of season 22 and this episode will clearly show why. Not only is he backed by some of the hottest investors in the world, he is solving a problem that could potentially save the world. Will shares the rationale behind keeping his company under wraps for so long, focusing on engineering challenges away from the public eye. Our conversation then turns to the ambitious quest of seagrass restoration, an innovative solution for carbon removal. We explore the immense potential of scaling restoration efforts, fueled by global climate goals, and discuss the strategic fundraising journey that brought on board top-tier investors aligned with the venture's long-term vision. Will is a fascinating guy and we explore some of his wilder adventures including going to live with Buddhist monks and writing letters to Denis O'Brien which landed him a dream job. --- Thanks to my season title partner Local Enterprise Office: https://bit.ly/leodigital21 Find out more about digitalisation for your business in the link above.
The Carbon Removal Show | Negative Emissions, Net Zero, Climate Positive
The Carbon Removal Show team are dusting off our mics, and we have some exciting news! The biggest of welcomes and ‘thank you's to our coalition partners: Carbon Engineering, Carbonfuture, Carbon Gap, CarbonX, Klarna, MASH Makes, Milkywire, the Negative Emissions Platform, Opna, Patch, Pinwheel, Planboo, ReCarber, Standard Gas Technologies and Supercritical; and to our individual supporters: Sebastian Manhart and Eve Tamme. To learn more about The Carbon Removal Show, including how to support our mission, head to thecarbonremovalshow.com.
Mitchel Selby of Shopify joins Tom Heintzman, Vice Chair, Energy Transition and Sustainability, to discuss the carbon dioxide removal (CDR) buyer's perspective in supporting first-of-a-kind (FOAK) carbon removal projects, including how buyers select projects and other important considerations.
Erica Nemser is CEO at Ardent, a Series A stage startup that's aiming to help drive industrial decarbonization by developing and selling membranes to perform point source carbon capture. Point source capture differs from direct air capture in that it's focused on concentrated greenhouse gas emissions coming right out of the flue of an industrial system, as opposed to direct air capture (DAC), which attempts to capture emissions from ambient air. Ardent, formerly Compact Membrane Systems, has been operating for 30 years, but its pivot to carbon capture and tech startup status is recent. In this episode, we discuss how Ardent's technology stands out in the point source capture field, the industry's varied approaches to decarbonization, and how Erica's leadership has guided the company's transformation.In this episode, we cover: [2:11] Rebranding from Compact Membrane Systems to Ardent[3:53] Ardent's membrane-based carbon capture solution and how it differs from other technologies [6:29] Erica's background and how it has informed her leadership at Ardent[7:37] Ardent's go-to-market strategy of partnering for scale[12:15] The company's hypothesis around facilitated transport membranes [13:05] An overview of Ardent's approach to industrial carbon capture [18:01]: Ardent's low-energy membrane systems for carbon capture[19:50]: Overview of Ardent's membrane system setup[23:03]: Addressing concerns about prolonging fossil fuel use with carbon capture[25:11]: Erica's perspective on diverse solutions for industrial heat[32:06]: “Carbon Capture as a Service” explained[37:20]: Agricultural sector's interest in carbon capture[45:51]: Ardent's global presence and talent searchEpisode recorded on Aug 1, 2024 (Published on Oct 17, 2024) Get connected with MCJ: Cody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a review! You can also reach us via email at info@mcj.vc, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.
Deep Sky CEO Damien Steel discusses the capitalist case for carbon removal technology, the growing maturation of carbon markets, and why he thinks Canada has the potential to be a global leader in both. This episode was made possible by Deep Sky and the generosity of listeners like you.The Hub Dialogues features The Hub's editor-at-large, Sean Speer, in conversation with leading entrepreneurs, policymakers, scholars, and thinkers on the issues and challenges that will shape Canada's future at home and abroad.If you like what you are hearing on Hub Dialogues consider subscribing to The Hub's free weekly email newsletter featuring our insights and analysis on key public policy issues. Sign up here: https://thehub.ca/join/. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tao Climate, a leading innovator in carbon removal measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) technology, is proud to announce that it has joined the prestigious European Space Agency (ESA) Business Incubation Centre (BIC) Ireland programme. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Tao Climate's mission to harness space technology to drive sustainability in industrial hemp cultivation. Through this programme, Tao Climate will integrate advanced satellite imaging technology developed by ESA into its MRV platform to monitor the growth of industrial hemp, a versatile crop known for its significant carbon absorption capabilities. This initiative will enable precise tracking of hemp cultivation by Tao Climate's partners, providing critical data to ensure optimal growth conditions and maximise the crop's carbon removal potential. Tao Climate is poised to address one of the most pressing challenges in the carbon removal market: verification. By leveraging ESA's satellite technology, Tao Climate aims to develop a robust system for accurately verifying carbon removal from hemp cultivation. This innovation will not only enhance transparency in the carbon market but also incentivise sustainable farming practices on a global scale. Gary Byrnes, CEO of Tao Climate, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration: "The intersection of space technology and sustainability is where we see the future. By leveraging the European Space Agency's satellite imaging capabilities, we can monitor hemp growth with unprecedented accuracy, solve the carbon credit verification problem, and build a foundation for a more sustainable future. This partnership is a testament to the transformative power of space tech in tackling the climate crisis." Peter Finnegan, ESA Space Solutions Ireland Manager, said: "We are delighted to welcome Tao Climate to the ESA Business Incubation Centre (BIC) Ireland network. Their innovative use of space technology to address global challenges, such as carbon removal through industrial hemp cultivation, illustrates the types of pioneering technology that we aim to support. "By integrating ESA's satellite imaging technology into their platform, Tao Climate is not only advancing the verification of carbon removal but also demonstrating the transformative impact space assets can have on sustainability efforts." ESA BIC Ireland supports Irish companies across the business spectrum that are developing technologies using space assets, resources or solutions that can be used in space. The initiative is managed by ESA Space Solutions Ireland, a Consortium Partnership made up of the following entities: Tyndall National Institute (Lead Partner), Dublin City University, Maynooth University, Technological University of the Shannon, and University College Dublin. The ESA BIC Ireland programme provides Tao Climate access to technical expertise, funding opportunities, and a network of space industry leaders, positioning the company at the forefront of the global technology movement towards a greener, more sustainable planet. See more stories here.
Grégoire Baillargeon, President, BMO Financial Group, Quebec, and Fred Lalonde, co-founder of Deep Sky, discuss why carbon removal technology solutions are urgently needed and the opportunities to scale them.
Access to economically viable solutions to measure soil carbon at scale is a game changer in our ability to improve our food systems and also improve our land's ability to store carbon. Welcome to this special episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Joining us today is Chris Tolles, Co-Founder and CEO of Yard Stick, a company on a mission to reduce soil carbon measurement costs by 90%. This will pave the way for improving our ecosystem health, restoring soil health, and combating climate change. Join us as we examine soil carbon measurement and its impact on food systems and carbon storage. They discuss the challenges and opportunities of soil carbon measurement, the economic aspects of carbon removal, and the role of data in driving behavior change. Chris shares the potential of using spectroscopy for faster and more efficient soil carbon measurement and discusses its impact on agriculture, climate change, and economic value. Our conversation explores the intersection of agriculture, climate change, and carbon removal, offering valuable insights and inspiration.
Today, we turn toward travel's role in supporting carbon removal. For Tito Jankowski of AirMiners, travel doesn't have a future without this climate solution. Today's airline CEOs and industry leaders have the chance to invest in carbon removal early. And wouldn't it be nice to know that the offsets you buy from an airline are actually working? All this and more in today's episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode contentThe ocean is already a huge carbon sink - and it could do even more. A burgeoning industry of carbon removal solutions, looking to leverage the enormous potential of our marine system, is starting to emerge.Paul looks at how our oceans currently help us combat carbon emissions, while also dissecting some of the innovative solutions that are emerging within this space.For more research:"CO2 and Ocean Acidification: Causes, Impacts, Solutions" - Union of Concerned Scientists"Ocean Carbon Dioxide Removal: Integrity at a Cheaper Price?" - Cleantech Group"Leveraging the Ocean's Carbon Removal Potential" - World Resources Institute"The oceans are absorbing more carbon than previously thought" - World Economic Forum"The Ocean is the Next Frontier for the Carbon Removal Industry" - Time MagazineFollow Paul on LinkedIn.
Is carbon removal about to take off? What is its potential for large-scale impact as a climate solution? As the Co-Founder and CEO of AirMiners, Tito Jankowski is leading a global community of over 2000 scientists, entrepreneurs, engineers, policymakers, and others dedicated to reversing climate change. In part 1 of this episode, he shares why carbon removal is so important, why it's an industry on the brink of massive growth, and how travel organizations can support the transition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Julia Strong is the Executive Director of Symbiosis Coalition. Announced in early 2024, Symbiosis Coalition is an advanced market commitment from Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Salesforce to purchase up to 20 million tons of nature-based carbon removals. The forestry credit space has faced challenges over the last couple of years, prompting interest in how Julia and these large tech companies collaborated to stimulate activity in the sector. Conversations about forestry should be relatively straightforward, considering forests, along with oceans and soil, are natural carbon sinks. Preserving and restoring forests is crucial, yet the complexity surrounding forestry credits always brings new insights. We're grateful to Julia for sharing more about the formation of Symbiosis Coalition, criteria for high-quality credits, barriers to bankability, and more. In this episode, we cover: An overview of Symbiosis CoalitionThe formation of the coalitionJulia's background in nature-based solutionsCriteria for high-quality forestry carbon removal projectsCounterfactuals in forest protection vs restorationRegions for reforestation effortsMotivations for landownersThe role of project developersBarriers to bankability and how Symbiosis is approaching themPotential financing and perceived riskSymbiosis' quality criteria: conservative accounting, durability, social and community benefits, ecological integrity, and transparencySymbiosis' mangrove restorationWorking with local and indigenous communitiesGoals for Symbiosis' transparencyJulia's podcast Solving Climate NaturallyEpisode recorded on July 9, 2024 (Published on Aug 12, 2024) Get connected with MCJ: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a review! You can also reach us via email at content@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.
Tuesday, August 13, 2024 Sliced: The Carbon Removal Standards Initiative In this edition of Sliced, we explore the newly announced Carbon Removal Standards Initiative and how it intends to help governments and companies involved in the booming space of carbon dioxide removals. -- Sliced is a weekly short-form dispatch released every Tuesday that features original thought pieces from our team members with the goal of slicing apart the various complex aspects of climate finance. If you want to check out the written version of Sliced, click here. And if you want to receive Sliced to your inbox, click here. Sliced is produced by Gordian Knot Strategies. It is written, narrated, and edited by Jay Tipton. Visit us at www.gordianknotstrategies.com. Music is by Coma-Media.
The world currently removes less than .0001% of the carbon required to meet the IPCC's 2050 goal – so there's A LOT of work to be done – which is what makes Graphyte's ready-to-go solution all the more valuable.Barclay Rogers, a former environmental lawyer, mechanical engineer, and multi-time founder, is bringing his unique set of experiences and leadership skills to making scalable, affordable CO2 removal an immediate reality with his new startup, Graphyte. Rather than rely on energy-intensive and still-developing technology like Direct Air Capture, Barclay and his team realized that they could use nature's own hyper-efficient carbon capture process – photosynthesis – to leverage natural resources in their revolutionary Carbon Casting process, a first-of-its-kind technique that traps carbon in easy to store bricks forged from the biomass waste generated by farms, logging camps, and paper mills. With their world-leading carbon removal operations already underway at their Pine Bluff, Arkansas facility, Graphyte is able to offer durable carbon removal that's scalable, affordable, and, maybe most importantly, ready right now. Hear Barclay Rogers talk about Graphyte's origin story, the importance of scalability for climate solutions, and why his native Arkansas is the perfect home for biomass-based carbon removal.Episode Highlights00:00 Barclay Rogers on carbon removal in the heartland00:32 Conor Gaughan introduces Barclay Rogers and Graphyte04:37 Arkansas roots, natural resources, and mechanical engineering09:36 Environmental law, government, and pivot to entrepreneurship 19:20 Startup career, the carbon industry, and the potential of biomass 25:25 The origin of Graphtye, durable carbon removal, and scalability33:43 Innovation curves, public policy factors, and the value of carbon40:24 Breakthrough Ventures, climate change, and growing a community 46:11 Leaving a legacy and finding motivation47:43 Where to learn more and end creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Dr. Vince Romanin of Gradient on Heat Pumps, Zero-Carbon Infrastructure, and the Triple Bottom LineMore on Graphyte and Barclay Rogers:graphyte.com linkedin.com/company/graphytecarbon linkedin.com/in/barclayrogers Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.com If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Siva Yellamraju is the Co-founder and CEO at Fourier. Fourier's mission is to make hydrogen universally accessible with on-site and on-demand production. Fourier is not Siva's first startup, it's his fourth. He sold his last company to Apple the one before that to Google and the one before that to Polycom, so he knows a thing or two about entrepreneurship.Fourier is barely two years old and they raised a seed round in mid-April led by General Catalyst. They've largely operated in stealth. In fact, there's nothing on their website at fourier.earth other than their thesis statement for starting the company, so we were excited to learn from Siva about why he transitioned from a very successful entrepreneurial career in software to tackle a business in the energy sector. We were also eager to learn specifically about what Siva''s building in distributed hydrogen and what he's learned from the process thus far. In this episode, we cover: [2:01] Siva's entrepreneurial background[4:46] His decision to work on climate and energy [7:35] Customer pain point understanding [12:44] Potential use cases for distributed hydrogen, including power backup solutions and data centers[15:04] Approaching hydrogen production as a data problem[21:47] Customers working with Fourier as part of a broader movement around clean energy [24:01] Potential use cases for distributed hydrogen, including power backup solutions and data centers[27:14] Advantages of hydrogen over batteries for long-term storage and heavy transportation [33:20] Geographic markets for hydrogen deployment; the US, Germany, India, and Indonesia[35:33] Fourier's success to date and plans for commercial rollout [37:12] The goals for Fourier's pilots in the US and India [40:16] Siva's learning curves in building an energy company [42:29] Potential for India to become a leader in hydrogen[44:21] The name behind Fourier [45:34] Fourier's current capital and hiring needsEpisode recorded on July 25, 2024 (Published on Aug 1, 2024) Get connected with MCJ: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a review! You can also reach us via email at content@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.
Julia Reichlstein is the CEO and Co-founder at Vaulted Deep, a carbon removal company that injects carbon-rich waste slurries deep underground into permanent geologic storage. They've come onto the scene quite fast recently securing just north of a $58 million order from Frontier to sequester over 152,000 tons of carbon between now and 2027, which is Frontier's largest commitment yet. They're one of 20 finalist teams still in the mix for the $100 million Carbon Removal Xprize, and one of 24 semi-finalists of the DOE's Carbon Dioxide Removal Purchase Pilot Prize. Try saying that three times fast.They also recently announced an $8 million seed round led by Lowercarbon Capital with participation from Earthshot, Woven Earth, Collaborative Fund and others. We got to know Julia and her co-founder Omar Abou-Sayed as they set up Vaulted as a spin-out of Omar's waste disposal company, Advantek. Vaulted is a complex set of operations based on a relatively simple construct: Humans have been sucking geologically stored carbon in the form of oil out of the ground for 150 years now. What if we could put it back? In this episode, we cover: Backgrounds of Vaulted's co-founders and the company's mission How Vaulted turns organic waste into carbon storage Julia's shift from venture capital to carbon removal Advantek's history and technological contribution to Vaulted Technical details of Vaulted's sequestration wells Types of wells used in Vaulted's process Community and environmental benefits Vaulted's business model and financial sustainability The rigorous process for selecting and processing waste for carbon removal Comparison of carbon removal strategies and Vaulted's unique approach Financial and ecological benefits of Vaulted's methodology Hutchinson Kansas facility's role and historical significance Vaulted's partnership with Frontier for carbon removal Vaulted's participation in the $100 million Carbon Removal Xprize competitionPotential global health impact of Vaulted's technology Open roles and opportunities at Vaulted for furthering its missionEpisode recorded on Jun 17, 2024 (Published on Jul 11, 2024) Get connected with MCJ: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a review! You can also reach us via email at content@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.
Avnos provides a Hybrid Direct Air Capture (HDAC) solution that inverts the water paradigm in DAC, producing water (5 tons per ton of carbon captured), eliminating heat consumption, and reducing costs by 50% compared to other forms of DAC. Will is a serial founder, investor, and board member in climate tech. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways and much more. How they accessed $100M in capital to grow this company How their technology does what seems impossible in the DAC sector How they accessed strategic investors and deployment partners on three continents Why walking his dog and disengaging the brain produces some of his best business ideas
Tackling climate change now requires not just reducing planet-warming emissions to zero, but also finding a way to draw down existing carbon dioxide from the air. Over the past few years, tech companies have taken the lead to seed hundreds of startups that want to sell carbon removal credits and help companies meet climate goals. But the failure of a major startup, Running Tide, has raised questions about the long-term viability of the market. This week on Zero, we hear from Nan Ransohoff, head of climate at Stripe, and pioneer of the carbon-removal market. Explore further: Past episode with Jennifer Wilcox of the US Department of Energy's two gigantic carbon removal hub projects Past episode with Mark Trexler of The Climatographers about what's wrong with carbon offsets and how to fix them Past episode with Notre Dame professor Emily Grubert about the state of carbon capture Zero is a production of Bloomberg Green. Our producer is Mythili Rao. Special thanks this week to Kira Bindrim, Alicia Clanton, Anna Mazarakis and Jessica Beck. Thoughts or suggestions? Email us at zeropod@bloomberg.net. For more coverage of climate change and solutions, visit https://www.bloomberg.com/green.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do we conduct science when there isn't a single isolated variable? What does that mean for carbon removal not taking place in a controlled environment? How does science even work?! Today's show originated from a question of how open-system carbon removal research can be conducted given that in a less-controlled environment, isolating for a single variable with replicability is less obviously possible. Does the scientific method really demand that, or is that some sort of pop culture understanding of science that needs to be challegned? To answer that question, host and co-founder of the Nori carbon removal marketplace, Ross Kenyon, asked Dr. Holly Jean Buck of the University at Buffalo and Anu Khan of Carbon180, to read two books and come on Reversing Climate Change to discuss them. The two texts are some of the foundational works of modern philosophy of science: Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, and Paul Feyerabend's Against Method. Kuhn argued that paradigms are the collection of foundational beliefs we have about how science and knowledge production is conducted, and that they are quite hard to see outside of since most people work so deeply within them. It can often be a generational effort, as older scientists die and new ones take their places. Feyerabend goes further, arguing that we shouldn't just look for where one paradigm supersedes another, but be protective of competing systems of knowledge and the valuable ways of seeing that they unlock. The show applies their learnings to the state of the CDR industry, and attempts to ferret out carbon removal's existing paradigm, whether the world is ready for credits that are not tonne-denominated, and how much time we can afford in retooling and letting "normal science" work within an imperfect paradigm vs. trying to create an entirely new paradigm ex nihilo. Resources Anu Khan Holly Jean Buck Carbon180 Against Method on Wikipedia The Structure of Scientific Revolutions on Wikipedia The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman Historiography Connect with Nori Purchase Nori Carbon Removals Nori's website Nori on Twitter Check out our other podcast, Carbon Removal Newsroom Carbon Removal Memes on Twitter Carbon Removal Memes on Instagram --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/support
Everyone used to say carbon removal was supply-constrained. Now everyone says it is demand-constrained. So which is it? Today's show has Dr. Gabrielle Walker, Co-Founder of the carbon removal marketplace CUR8 and the Founder of Rethinking Removals, an NGO working to change the conventional environmental story around CDR. She is hosted by Nori's VP of Supply and Methodology, Radhika Moolgavkar. Dr. Walker discusses her long history in the climate space, including time spent in carbon capture, and how she works to address questions from corporate buyers. The conversation covers the importance of portfolios in carbon removal strategies, the necessity of immediate action, and the challenges of gaining local and environmental community support. Additionally, Dr. Walker delves into major stories in carbon removal for 2024, including the XPRIZE finalists, Europe's policy actions, and private industry investments. On This Episode Dr. Gabrielle Walker Radhika Moolgavkar Resources Dr. Walker's LinkedIn Dr. Walker's Twitter Rethinking Removals CUR8 Connect with Nori Nori Nori's X account Nori's other podcast Reversing Climate Change Nori's CDR meme X account --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/carbonremovalnewsroom/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/carbonremovalnewsroom/support
The XPRIZE remains one of the top stories in carbon removal and one of the largest funding sources for CDR start-ups. The Elon Musk-backed competition will award $50 million to the winning CDR startup in 2025 and send $10 million to three other runner-up teams. Over 1000 teams worldwide have applied since the award was announced in 2021. This month, XPRIZE released the detailed “Getting to Gigaton” report, which provided comprehensive data and analysis of the top 100 teams. A few weeks later, they announced the top 20 finalist teams competing for the grand prize. The report and the selection of the top teams provide a state of play for the industry by showing what methodologies are most ready to grow to a gigaton scale, according to XPRIZE's expert CDR judges. Today's show is with Nikki Batchelor, the Executive Director of XPRIZE Carbon Removal, and Mike Leitch, the Senior Technical Lead, about how they selected the top 20, what they found in this report, and what comes next for the competition. On This Episode Nikki Batchelor Mike Leitch Radhika Moolgavkar Resources “Getting to Gigaton” report Connect with Nori Nori Nori's X account Nori's other podcast Reversing Climate Change Nori's CDR meme X account --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/carbonremovalnewsroom/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/carbonremovalnewsroom/support
Even if all emissions stopped tomorrow, the excess carbon currently in the atmosphere would take thousands of years to naturally dissipate through processes like photosynthesis, oceanic absorption, or mineralization. In addition to forests, soils, and the ocean, naturally occurring minerals are one of our planet's most important carbon sinks. Over the span of hundreds or thousands of years, carbon dioxide in air and water binds to minerals, and eventually turns to stone, thus removing the carbon from the atmosphere. This process is called mineralization. One of the most abundant types of rocks on the planet is limestone, and it's one of the unsung superstars of this carbon mineralization process. Meanwhile, one of the most exciting advances in the carbon removal industry that has received a lot of attention - and scrutiny - is Direct Air Capture, often referred to as “DAC.” DAC is the process of separating carbon dioxide from ambient air. The Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law specified funding for the deployment of DAC projects in the US, and DAC is getting more interest from companies looking to remove their carbon emissions. But, DAC technologies are typically expensive, energy and land intensive, and use materials that can be difficult to source. In order to remove billions of tons of carbon from the atmosphere, we need a DAC solution that is scalable, inexpensive, and designed to leverage natural processes like mineralization via limestone, which has millennia of carbon removal capabilities embedded in its chemistry. And that is exactly what Shashank Samala, Co-Founder and CEO of Heirloom, is building. SponsorsWatt It Takes is brought to you by Microsoft.The $1 Billion Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund is investing in innovative technologies that have the potential for meaningful, measurable climate impact by 2030. To date, Microsoft has allocated more than $700M into a global portfolio of over 50 investments including sustainable solutions in energy, industrial, and natural systems. Visit https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/corporate-responsibility/ to learn more about Microsoft's progress toward their impact commitments. About Powerhouse and Powerhouse VenturesPowerhouse is an innovation firm that works with leading global corporations and investors to help them find, partner with, invest in, and acquire the most innovative startups in clean energy, mobility, and climate.Powerhouse Ventures backs seed-stage startups building innovative software to rapidly decarbonize our global energy and mobility systems. You can learn more at powerhouse.fund, and you can subscribe to our newsletter at powerhouse.fund/subscribe.To hear more stories of founders building our climate positive future, hit the “subscribe” button and leave us a review.
In today's episode, recorded live during San Francisco Climate Week, we delve into the critical intersection of climate policy and carbon removal. Joining us are two distinguished guests: California Senator Scott Wiener, the author of the recent landmark climate legislation known as California's SB 253 or the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, and Shashank Samala, the CEO and Co-founder of Heirloom, a pioneering carbon removal company. Shashank was a previous guest on the show in 2021, and we're excited to have him back to weigh in on this important conversation. Senator Wiener sheds light on the legislative landscape driving climate action, while Shashank offers insights into the technologies transforming carbon removal. Together, we explore the convergence of policy and innovation, examining how regulatory frameworks catalyze the adoption and scaling of technological solutions. We pack a lot into this conversation, and we hope you enjoy it! In this episode, we cover: [2:15] Senator Scott Wiener's background and personal climate journey[6:04] Shashank's entrepreneurial background and transition to carbon removal[8:38] An overview of Heirloom[10:20] An overview of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions[12:59] SB 253, the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, authored by Senator Wiener[17:46] California's cap and trade system[20:22] The importance of carbon accounting and measurement, reporting and verification (MRV)[25:32] How the Senator's team worked with startups to verify compliance challenges[31:48] Heirloom's categories of carbon buyers[34:25] SB 308, Carbon Market Development Act, authored by Senator Josh Becker[36:17] The role of geography in carbon removals[40:14] How startups can engage with local policymakers[45:11] The benefit of representing San Francisco as a climate tech hub[46:29] Senator Wiener's wishlist for climate policy, including dense housing and world-class public transportation[47:06] Shashank's wishlist for climate policy, including SB 308 Get connected with MCJ: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a review! You can also reach us via email at content@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.