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Cleaning Up: Leadership in an Age of Climate Change: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Michael Liebreich, Bryony Worthington
Once a week, Michael Liebreich and Bryony Worthington have a conversation with a leader in clean energy, mobility, climate finance or sustainable development. Informative, inspiring and fun!
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- 3 days ago57 min
Can Australia Become A Clean Tech Superpower? Deep Dive Australia 05: Ross Garnaut
Across huge swathes of the global economy, clean solutions are already cheaper than their fossil alternatives, and so a carbon price isn’t needed. But in other sections of the economy, the costs of green tech are higher, and so carbon pricing will be needed to make them cost competitive. But what should that price be, and how can it be successfully implemented? This week on Cleaning Up, Michael Liebreich is joined by Professor Ross Garnaut, a towering figure in the debate about how to implement carbon pricing, and founder of the Superpower Institute. Having advised successive Australian governments on climate policy since 2007, Ross makes the case for how Australia can export green iron, ammonia, and carbon-based fuels to industrialised economies that don't have the land or renewable resources to decarbonise on their own. They discuss the political history behind Australia's stop-start carbon pricing, the debate over whether green hydrogen can ever get cheap enough to make the superpower vision work, and how First Nations communities are shaping decisions about the land at the centre of it. They also explore the tension between protectionism and genuine security concerns over Chinese supply chains, and whether China's undervalued currency is really what's holding back Australia's competitiveness. Topics covered in this episode: Australian climate policy under different Prime Ministers Australia as a low-carbon superpower Exporting molecules vs exporting electricity First Nations involvement in land use The green hydrogen cost debate Protectionism vs. security concerns Pinning down an actual carbon price Trade imbalances and exchange rates Leadership Circle: Cleaning Up is proud to be supported by its Leadership Circle. The members are Actis, Alcazar Energy, Arup, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Cygnum Capital, Davidson Kempner, Ecopragma Capital, EDP, Eurelectric, the Gilardini Foundation, KKR, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, National Grid, Octopus Energy, Quadrature Climate Foundation, Schneider Electric, SDCL and Wärtsilä. For more information about the Leadership Circle, visit cleaningup.live. Links: Watch our full Deep Dive Australia Series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc8cNKXCII70&si=GmXz-zQe3yK42V3o Ross Garnaut’s bio: https://www.rossgarnaut.com.au/ Malcolm Turnbull on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9CUGRHCswU Tony Abbott on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_39HmAgq9RY The Superpower Institute: https://www.superpowerinstitute.com.au/ The SuperPower Institute reports: https://www.superpowerinstitute.com.au/work?type=report Ross' book — Superpower: Australia's Low-Carbon Opportunity by Ross Garnaut: https://www.blackincbooks.com.au/books/superpower
- 1 weeks ago1h 14m
How Norway Become Europe’s Largest Gas Supplier | Ep267: Anders Opedal
At the beginning of 2022, Europe was sourcing around 40% of its gas from Russia. By the end of this year, no more gas should be flowing from Russia into Europe. Much of that shortfall has been replaced by production from the vast oil and gas fields of Norway's North Sea continental shelf. And this year, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz again highlighted the importance of Norway to Europe's resilience. But how does one of the world's largest oil and gas producers balance energy security with the race to net zero? This week, Michael Liebreich is joined by Anders Opedal, CEO of Equinor, Norway's state-backed energy company. Having spent almost three decades at the company, Anders discusses Equinor's strategy for producing lower-emissions oil and gas while investing heavily in offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, and the technologies needed for the energy transition. They also explore the impact of fugitive methane emissions, the realities of carbon capture, the economics of offshore wind, and why Norway believes it can continue supplying oil and gas for decades to come. Topics covered: How Russia disrupted European gas supplies Meeting Europe's gas demand The Strait of Hormuz and energy prices Tax, financing and investment Equinor's partnership with Shell Carbon capture and storage (CCS) Can the UK replicate Norway's success? Offshore wind development Reducing methane emissions and gas flaring Leadership Circle: Cleaning Up is proud to be supported by its Leadership Circle. The members are Actis, Alcazar Energy, Arup, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Cygnum Capital, Davidson Kempner, Ecopragma Capital, EDP, Eurelectric, the Gilardini Foundation, KKR, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, National Grid, Octopus Energy, Quadrature Climate Foundation, Schneider Electric, SDCL and Wärtsilä. For more information about the Leadership Circle, visit cleaningup.live Links: Anders Opedal’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andersopedalequinor/ Equinor: https://www.equinor.com/ Northern Lights project: https://www.equinor.com/energy/northern-lights Sign up to our newsletter: cleaninguppod.substack.com Amber Rudd on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZOokwqLaRc Ben van Beurden on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jImWveH7Xn0 Michael Lewis on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOD-f6uSPgc Acronyms: TTF: Title Transfer Facility BTU: British Thermal Units FID: Final Investment Decision CCS: Carbon Capture and Storage OGCI: Oil and Gas Climate Initiative OGDC: Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter
- 1 weeks ago51 min
Is Australia Finally Turning Its Back on Coal? Lily D'Ambrosio | Deep Dive Australia 04
Victoria is undertaking one of Australia's most ambitious electricity transitions. The state is aiming for 65% renewable electricity by 2030 and 95% by 2035, replacing ageing coal-fired power stations with renewable electricity, batteries and offshore wind while keeping the lights on and consumers' bills down. This week on Cleaning Up’s Deep Dive Australia, Michael Liebreich is joined by Lily D'Ambrosio, Victoria's Minister for Climate Action, Energy and the State Electricity Commission, who has overseen the state's energy transition for more than a decade. Together Minister D’Ambrosio and Michael examine the policies driving the transition, from renewable energy auctions and large-scale batteries, to offshore wind and transmission planning. Michael also challenges the Minister on some of the most controversial aspects of Victoria's strategy, including unpublished modelling, coal closure agreements, and the politics of moving households away from gas. Topics: Victoria's energy transition and the role of state governments Replacing coal with renewables Batteries, electricity markets and falling wholesale prices Coal plant closures and investor certainty Transparency, modelling and political accountability Transmission, community opposition and Renewable Energy Zones Offshore wind and the future generation mix Gas, household electrification and cost of living Leadership, public confidence and delivering the transition Leadership Circle: Cleaning Up is proud to be supported by its Leadership Circle. The members are Actis, Alcazar Energy, Arup, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Cygnum Capital, Davidson Kempner, Ecopragma Capital, EDP, Eurelectric, the Gilardini Foundation, KKR, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, National Grid, Octopus Energy, Quadrature Climate Foundation, Schneider Electric, SDCL and Wärtsilä. For more information about the Leadership Circle, visit cleaningup.live Links: Lily D’Ambrosio’s bio: https://www.victorianchamber.com.au/profile/lily-dambrosio Sign up to our newsletter: https://cleaninguppod.substack.com EnergyAustralia: https://www.energyaustralia.com.au/ AGL: https://www.agl.com.au/ VicGrid: https://www.vicgrid.com.au/ Western Renewable Link: https://www.westernrenewableslink.com.au/ Offshore wind: https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/renewable-energy/offshore-wind-energy/offshore-wind-energy-victoria Gas substitution roadmap: https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/renewable-energy/victorias-gas-substitution-roadmap Open Electricity: https://openelectricity.org.au/ Acronyms: CSIRO: Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organisation
- 2 weeks ago1h 1m
Batteries Are The Killer Tech Of The Energy Transition | Ep267: Alex Shoer
China transformed solar from one of the world's most expensive energy technologies into the cheapest source of electricity in just a couple of decades. And now it’s doing the same with batteries, with prices plummeting around the world. This week on Cleaning Up, Bryony Worthington is joined by Alex Shoer, Managing Director of GridVest, who spent almost a decade building renewable energy businesses in China before bringing those lessons back to the United States. They discuss the lessons behind China's clean energy success, the evolution of solar subsidies, and why battery storage is becoming essential for everything from renewable energy to AI data centres. They explore whether collaboration rather than competition will shape the next phase of the global energy transition, and in which technologies the U.S. still holds a competitive advantage. Topics covered: China's blueprint for scaling clean energy The impact of ending solar subsidies Why batteries are becoming more valuable than solar alone Can AI and data centres accelerate the battery boom? Ford, CATL and the future of global partnerships Competing vs partnering with China Financing the next generation of energy infrastructure The future of battery tech and U.S. innovation Leadership Circle Cleaning Up is proud to be supported by its Leadership Circle. The members are Actis, Alcazar Energy, Arup, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Cygnum Capital, Davidson Kempner, Ecopragma Capital, EDP, Eurelectric, the Gilardini Foundation, KKR, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, National Grid, Octopus Energy, Quadrature Climate Foundation, Schneider Electric, SDCL and Wärtsilä. For more information about the Leadership Circle, visit cleaningup.live Links Alex Shoer’s bio: Alex Shoer Sign up to our newsletter: cleaninguppod.substack.com GridVest: https://gridvest.com/ Seeder Clean Energy: https://seederenergy.com/ Acronyms RE100: Renewable Energy 100% Commitment PPA: Power Purchase Agreement S-REC: Solar Renewable Energy Credits I-REC: International Renewable Energy Certificate IRR: Internal Rate of Return ITC: Investment Tax Credit FEOC: Foreign Entity Of Concern CPUC: California Public Utility Commission NMC: Nickel Manganese Cobalt LFP: Lithium Iron Phosphate AHJ: Authorities Having Jurisdiction
- 2 weeks ago56 min
Are Solar And Batteries Undermining Australia’s Grid? Deep Dive Australia 03: Marc England
Australia's electricity networks are entering a new era. As rooftop solar, battery storage and electric vehicles demand reshape the grid, the role of distribution networks is changing from simply delivering electricity to actively enabling a smarter, more resilient and affordable energy system. For the third episode of our Deep Dive Australia series, Michael sits down with Marc England, CEO of Ausgrid, one of Australia's largest electricity distribution businesses, to explore what that transformation looks like in practice. Ausgrid is responsible for supplying electricity to millions of customers across Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter Region in New South Wales. Marc reflects on how networks have to become intelligent, flexible and community-focused while balancing commercial realities with public service. He shares how distribution companies like his are adapting to an increasingly decentralised electricity system, where balancing reliability, affordability and customer expectations has never been more complex. From the growing role of battery storage and managing unpredictable energy flows, to supporting the rapid rise of data centres and preparing for extreme weather events, he explains why networks will play a critical role in delivering a successful net zero future. Also, Michael travels inside the electricity tunnels beneath Sydney, to see how Ausgrid has built a resilient electricity system for Australia’s financial capital. Topics Include: The evolving role of electricity distribution networks Balancing commercial success with community responsibility Battery storage and building a more flexible grid Managing the rise of rooftop solar and distributed energy resources Preparing for growing electricity demand and data centres Building resilience for extreme weather and changing energy patterns Leading innovation through Australia's energy transition Leadership Circle: Cleaning Up is proud to be supported by its Leadership Circle. The members are Actis, Alcazar Energy, Arup, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Cygnum Capital, Davidson Kempner, Ecopragma Capital, EDP, Eurelectric, the Gilardini Foundation, KKR, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, National Grid, Octopus Energy, Quadrature Climate Foundation, Schneider Electric, SDCL and Wärtsilä. For more information about the Leadership Circle, visit cleaningup.live Links: Watch our full Deep Dive Australia Series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc8cNKXCII70&si=GmXz-zQe3yK42V3o Sign up to our newsletter: cleaninguppod.substack.com Marc England’s bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-england-9147711/ Ausgrid: https://www.ausgrid.com.au/ Transgrid: https://www.transgrid.com.au/ PLUS ES: https://www.pluses.com.au/ John Pettigrew on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Lg1A958aA Tim Meyerjürgens on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQgUuJ-dx78 Acronyms: SES - State Emergency Service CBD - Central Business District DNSP - Distribution Network Service Provider C&I - Commercial & Industrial AEMO - the Australian Energy Market Operator CIS - Capacity Investment Scheme
- 3 weeks ago50 min
Southeast Asia's Leapfrog to Clean Tech | Ep265: Marie Cheong
South and Southeast Asia face a different challenge to many developed economies. As the regions continue to grow, so too does demand for energy, transport and industry. The question is whether that growth can be powered by cleaner technologies from the start. In the second of our episodes recorded from Singapore, Michael meets Marie Cheong, founding partner at 100x100, a climate tech venture builder and VC for South and Southeast Asia. Previously, Marie co-founded WaveMaker Impact, where she helped launch climate startups addressing some of the region's biggest opportunities for decarbonisation. Marie explains why climate innovation in emerging South Asian markets requires a different approach. They discuss investing across the region, growing energy demand, using AI to decarbonise manufacturing, and why there are no "silver bullet" solutions to climate change. Marie also takes Michael to the People Bee Hoon noodle factory, which makes rice vermicelli noodles to see how Desmond Goh, the factory’s director is using AI to improve his operations. Michael meets to Desmond and Muun AI founder Kathryn Knight about how better use of data can help cut emissions and waste. And at the end of the episode, a very special announcement… stay tuned. Topics Include Building climate startups across South and Southeast Asia Why climate investing needs more than "silver bullet" technologies The biggest opportunities for climate innovation in emerging Asian markets Solving regional pain points as the key to success Can Southeast Asia grow without burning more coal? Investing in emerging markets and navigating regional diversity How AI can help manufacturers cut emissions, costs and energy use The next generation of climate technology in Asia Leadership Circle Cleaning Up is proud to be supported by its Leadership Circle. The members are Actis, Alcazar Energy, Arup, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Cygnum Capital, Davidson Kempner, Ecopragma Capital, EDP, Eurelectric, the Gilardini Foundation, KKR, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, National Grid, Octopus Energy, Quadrature Climate Foundation, Schneider Electric, SDCL and Wärtsilä. For more information about the Leadership Circle, visit cleaningup.live Links Marie Cheong's bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-cheong-06141b36/ Wavemaker Impact https://wavemakerpartners.com/ 100x100 https://www.100x100.com/ Muun AI https://muun-ai.com/ Watch our previous episode from Singapore, with Ravi Menon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvhd34i6YMk Harish Hande on Cleaning Up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUxdaHFJI68 South Asia Includes: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan,and Sri Lanka. South East Asia Includes: Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Acronyms FESIA - Future Energy Storage and System Integration Alliance ASEAN - Alliance for Southeast Asian Nations CPTPP - Comprehensive and Progressive agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership MT - Megatonne SAF - Sustainable Aviation Fuel SME - Small/Medium-sized Enterprises
- 3 weeks ago1h 8m
Australia Loves Solar, So Why The Diesel Addiction? Deep Dive Australia 02: Chris Bowen
Australia is navigating an extraordinarily complex energy transition. It is both a major exporter of fossil fuels and a global leader in rooftop solar, while recent disruption to fuel supplies has reinforced the importance of energy security alongside decarbonisation. As the country prepares to co-host COP31 alongside Türkiye, the choices it makes will have implications well beyond its borders. This week on Cleaning Up, Michael Liebreich sits down with Chris Bowen, Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Chris explains how Australia responded to the recent fuel crisis, why he believes the road to net-zero starts with households, and how the government is balancing affordability, reliability and emissions reduction. Chris and Michael explore Australia's rapid growth in rooftop solar and home batteries, why electric vehicles have been slower to take off, the challenges of expanding the electricity grid, and what Australia's joint leadership of COP31 means for its role on the global stage. Throughout, Chris explains how he sees the challenge of making the energy transition practical, affordable and politically achievable. Topics include: How Australia avoided fuel shortages during the global energy crisis Why Minister Bowen believes the path to net zero starts with households How to make rooftop solar and home batteries work at scale The challenge of electrifying transport in Australia Building the grid needed for a renewable energy future Balancing climate ambition with political and community support What Australia's energy transition can teach the rest of the world Leadership Circle: Cleaning Up is proud to be supported by its Leadership Circle. The members are Actis, Alcazar Energy, Arup, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Cygnum Capital, Davidson Kempner, Ecopragma Capital, EDP, Eurelectric, the Gilardini Foundation, KKR, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, National Grid, Octopus Energy, Quadrature Climate Foundation, Schneider Electric, SDCL and Wärtsilä. For more information about the Leadership Circle, visit cleaningup.live Links: Chris Bowen’s bio: https://minister.dcceew.gov.au/bowen/biography Fatih Birol on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmHIrtBZIAg Bill McKibben on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W9uR6eTe94 Acronyms: IPCC - The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change UNFCCC - United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change SRES - Small Scale Renewable Energy Scheme DNSP - Distribution Network Service Provide AER - Australian Energy Regulator DMO - Default Market Offer CIS - Capacity Investment Scheme EMO - Energy Market Operator ISP - Integrated Systems Plan
- 4 weeks ago58 min
Can Asia Ever Move Beyond Coal? | Ep264: Ravi Menon
Singapore is one of the smallest countries in the world, yet plays a unique role as one of Asia’s main financial and oil refining hubs. So how is it using its influence to help or hinder the transition? Ravi Menon has spent his career at the heart of Singapore’s economic and financial strategy, serving as Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (the country’s central bank) before becoming the country’s Ambassador for Climate Action. In this conversation with Michael Liebreich, Menon explains why Asia’s energy transition will follow a different path from the West. With growing energy demand, dependence on coal and the need for affordable and reliable power, the challenge is not just building clean energy but replacing the systems already in place. They discuss Singapore’s role in shaping Asia’s future energy system, from cross-border electricity trade and new financing models to carbon markets, electric vehicles and the growing link between energy security and the move away from fossil fuels. Topics include: Why Asia’s path to net zero will look different from the West Singapore's unique challenges with decarbonization How growing economies can move past coal How to fund Asia’s enormous climate transition The future role of carbon markets in climate action The link between energy security and the shift to clean energy Singapore’s role as a catalyst for regional decarbonisation Newsletter: Sign up to the Cleaning Up newsletter at cleaninguppod.substack.com, for all the latest from the show, including new episodes of our Deep Dive Australia series. Leadership Circle: Cleaning Up is proud to be supported by its Leadership Circle. The members are Actis, Alcazar Energy, Arup, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Cygnum Capital, Davidson Kempner, Ecopragma Capital, EDP, Eurelectric, the Gilardini Foundation, KKR, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, National Grid, Octopus Energy, Quadrature Climate Foundation, Schneider Electric, SDCL and Wärtsilä. For more information about the Leadership Circle, visit cleaningup.live Links: Ravi Menon’s bio: https://www.impactsg.org/board/ravi-menon Fast-P Fund: https://www.fast-partnership.com/ Dr Ma Jun on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu6giWzTxAY Mark Carney on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtA5ufMzKAU Pierre Wunsch on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2xS5e5EGEg Rachel Kyte on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1m2lm2n_EE The Asian Development Bank: https://www.adb.org/what-we-do/topics/climate-change/overview CDM - Clean Development Mechanism: https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-kyoto-protocol/mechanisms-under-the-kyoto-protocol/the-clean-development-mechanism •GFANZ - Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero https://www.gfanzero.com/
About Cleaning Up: Leadership in an Age of Climate Change
Once a week, Michael Liebreich and Bryony Worthington have a conversation with a leader in clean energy, mobility, climate finance or sustainable development. Informative, inspiring and fun!
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