Share
Watt Matters: The FORESIGHT energy transition podcast
Are COP talks really worthwhile?
Season 1, Ep. 25
•
Off the back of an intense two weeks in Egypt, the COP27 negotiations were once again deemed underwhelming. There were some successes: Developed countries will provide finance to emerging economies affected by climate-related disasters. But much of the focus remained on climate adaptation rather than mitigation.
After nearly 30 years of international climate talks, questions are being raised over the efficacy of these events and what value they hold as the global community seeks to decarbonise.
This week the team is joined by Simon Evans, deputy editor and senior policy editor at Carbon Brief, a website specialising in the science and policy of climate change, to discuss his experiences of the talks, what needs to be done to truly begin phasing out damaging fossil fuels from the global economy, and the power of social media in the debate around the energy transition.
Enjoy the show!
If you have any thoughts or questions about anything that has been discussed in this week's episode, you can reach us at our Twitter accounts:
Simon Evans: https://twitter.com/DrSimEvans
Michaela Holl: https://twitter.com/CitizenSane1
Jan Rosenow: https://twitter.com/janrosenow
David Weston: https://twitter.com/DaveW_FORESIGHT
Anna Gumbau: https://twitter.com/AnnaGumbau
@WattMattersPod: https://twitter.com/WattMattersPod
FORESIGHT Climate & Energy: https://twitter.com/FORESIGHTdk
Listen and subscribe to Watt Matters wherever you get podcasts. Follow us on Twitter at @WattMattersPod or email us at show@wattmatterspodcast.com. You can also find FORESIGHT Climate & Energy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/foresight-climate-energy/.
Illustration: Masha Krasnova-Shabaeva. Art director: Trine Natskår.
Show notes (via this link: https://foresightdk.com/wm-ep24/):
Barcelona students to take mandatory climate crisis module from 2024
A policy toolkit for global mass heat pump deployment - Regulatory Assistance Project
A ‘buildings breakthrough’ agenda at COP means heat pumps are in the limelight - FORESIGHT
COP27: Key outcomes agreed at the UN climate talks in Sharm el-Sheikh - Carbon Brief
Daily Briefing | Revue
Living with Heat Pumps - Fully Charged Show
Live recording of Watt Matters: Shocks, stability and sustainable markets
TRY FULL ACCESS TO FORESIGHT CLIMATE & ENERGY FOR €1 A DAY
Join over 100,000 policymakers, energy experts in business, finance, and academia, city leaders, and leading NGOs in having access to FORESIGHT Climate & Energy
GET YOUR 30 DAY TRIAL: www.foresightdk.com/subscribe/.
More episodes
View all episodes
54. A satellite-eye view of methane emissions
44:20Addressing methane emissions is key if the world is to succeed in limiting global warming and preventing drastic climate change. In the short-term, it is significantly more damaging to the climate than carbon dioxide.But to properly address the world’s methane problem, there needs to be data on where emissions come from. A new satellite aims to help do that.MethaneSAT was launched earlier this month and boasts unmatched accuracy and precision. It aims to keep track of 80% of the world’s oil and gas industry – one of the major polluters of methane.Daniel Zavala, a senior scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund, which is behind the satellite project, joins the Watt Matters team to discuss the projectEnjoy the show!If you have any thoughts or questions about anything that has been discussed in this week’s episode, add your contribution belowFollow us on Twitter at @WattMattersPod or email us at show@wattmatterspodcast.com You can also find FORESIGHT Climate & Energy on LinkedIn.Illustration: Masha Krasnova-ShabaevaShow notes: Watch MethaneSAT’s launch and find out more about the project here.What Caught My Eye:Michaela’s pick: WTO panel report regarding EU measures affecting palm oil, palm crop-based biofuelsDaniel’s pick: IEA Global Methane Tracker 2024Kira’s pick: World’s first solar-powered air traffic control radar station in ChileWant a free trial? Sign up, download the award-winning app, and enjoy complimentary access to all exclusive features for one month. Click here to access.
53. Solar’s rooftop revolution
37:16Currently, 10-25% of EU buildings host solar panels and the rooftop market continues to grow. It could see another boost as Europe agrees new support for the industry.This includes the new Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, which introduces an EU Solar Standard, expected to change solar from an add-on to a core construction element.For this live podcast recording, Watt Matters producer Kira Taylor looks into the emerging trends and what more is needed to boost the industry, with a panel of special guests: Anette Persson, policy officer at the European Commission, Nathalie Rubin-Delanchy, public policy manager working on EU sustainability policy at Amazon, Arttur Kulvik, senior vice president of Solnet and Nicolas Randria, secretary general at the Fédération Française du Bâtiment.Enjoy!Want a free trial? Sign up, download the award-winning app, and enjoy complimentary access to all exclusive features for one month. Click here to access.If you have any thoughts or questions about anything that has been discussed in this week’s episode, you can reach us at our X accounts:SolarPower EuropeNathalie Rubin-DelanchyMichaela HollJan RosenowDavid WestonKira TaylorWattMattersPodFORESIGHT Climate & EnergyFollow us on Twitter at @WattMattersPod or email us at show@wattmatterspodcast.com.You can also find FORESIGHT Climate & Energy on LinkedIn.Illustration: Masha Krasnova-Shabaeva.
52. Renewables steam ahead in Europe
49:53Record falls in fossil fuels and record levels of renewables - Sarah Brown from think tank Ember joins the Watt Matters team to discuss Europe’s latest electricity statsThe EU’s electricity transition is in full swing Ember’s European Electricity Review 2024 concludes. The report celebrates new records, including a record fall in both fossil generation and CO2 emissions.Renewables are on the up. Ember’s 2022 review found wind and solar generated a fifth of EU electricity. In 2023, they generated 44% and wind generation overtook gas for the first time.To discuss the findings and Europe’s progress in its energy transition, co-author of the report and Europe Programme Director at Ember, Sarah Brown, joins the Watt Matters team.Want a free trial? Sign up, download the award-winning app, and enjoy complimentary access to all exclusive features for one month. Click here to access.If you have any thoughts or questions about anything that has been discussed in this week’s episode, you can reach us at our X accounts:EmberMichaela HollJan RosenowDavid WestonKira TaylorWattMattersPodFORESIGHT Climate & EneFollow us on Twitter at @WattMattersPod or email us at show@wattmatterspodcast.com.You can also find FORESIGHT Climate & Energy on LinkedIn.Show notes:Read Ember’s European Electricity Review 2024 in full here.Feeling nostalgic? Listen back to our episode on the 2023 electricity review here: What Caught My Eye:Sarah’s pick: 1 in 5 migratory species are at risk of extinction - UN reportDavid’s pick: Keir Starmer: Labour ditches £28bn green investment pledge - BBCMichaela’s pick: Climate disclosure rules are expanding. Companies need to keep up - ContextJan’s pick: Macquarie looks to cut stake in UK’s biggest gas network Cadent - Financial Times
51. Not the end of the world
51:37From climate change to air pollution, there are a lot of issues that need solving in the 21st century. With all the doom and gloom, it’s hard to see that some progress has actually been made.Hannah Ritchie is a researcher and deputy editor at the University of Oxford’s Our World In Data publication. Her new book “Not the End of the World: How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet” argues that advancements are being made every day in the quest for a sustainable world.In our 50th episode, Hannah joins the Watt Matters team to explain what the data shows and why we can be positive.Enjoy the show.Want a free trial? Sign up, download the award-winning app, and enjoy complimentary access to all exclusive features for one month. Click here to access.
50. Decarbonising amid geopolitical tensions
57:40The energy transition is taking place in a complex world of ongoing historic geopolitical tensions and financial divides between countries. Lisa Fischer from climate think tank E3G joins the Watt Matters team to discuss decarbonisation policymaking in a complicated and adversarial world.The world needs to decarbonise if it is to limit drastic global warming. However, this is happening in the context of growing conflicts and a varying list of priorities and ideologies.With 2030 targets now just around the corner, richer nations need to show that the energy transition is possible and help make finance available to enable global change. All the while they need to ensure that they don’t get bogged down in overdependence on fuels, unreliable supply chains and stranded assets.This requires a carefully planned approach to the energy transition that brings everyone along for the ride. In this episode, Lisa Fischer, programme lead at climate think tank E3G, joins the Watt Matters team to discuss navigating the decarbonisation pathway in a complex world.Enjoy the show.Want a free trial? Sign up, download the award-winning app, and enjoy complimentary access to all exclusive features for one month. Click here to access.If you have any thoughts or questions about anything that has been discussed in this week’s episode, add your contribution belowFollow us on Twitter at @WattMattersPod or email us at show@wattmatterspodcast.com You can also find FORESIGHT Climate & Energy on LinkedIn.Illustration: Masha Krasnova-ShabaevaShow notes: Read the E3G report Lisa mentioned on gas demand reduction numbers here.What Caught My Eye:Lisa’s pick: Numbers showing Germany's heat pump market grew by 50% in 2023David’s picks: White House Said to Delay Decision on Enormous Natural Gas Export TerminalHinkley Point C delay deals blow to UK energy strategyMichaela’s pick: Charting Europe’s path towards an ambitious 2040 climate goalJan’s pick: Flex-ability for all: Pursuing socially inclusive demand-side flexibility in Europe
49. 2024: The year of elections
50:142024 is likely to be the year of elections, with just under half of the world’s population expected to head to the polls, according to Bloomberg. That includes major players in energy and climate, like the US, India, the EU and, potentially, the UK.These elections will take place in a world where the climate crisis and the energy transition are becoming ever more apparent in people’s lives, but also where the political climate around these topics is growing more difficult.As the world continues to face unprecedented climate impacts and works out how to implement the historic COP28 agreement to transition away from fossil fuels, Sam Morgan, the host of Watt Matter’s sister podcast Policy Dispatch, joins the team to look at the year ahead.Enjoy the show!If you have any thoughts or questions about anything that has been discussed in this week’s episode, you can reach us at our X accounts:Sam Morgan Michaela Holl Jan Rosenow David Weston Kira Taylor @WattMattersPod FORESIGHT Climate & EnergyListen and subscribe to Watt Matters wherever you get podcasts. Follow us on Twitter at @WattMattersPod or email us at show@wattmatterspodcast.com. You can also find FORESIGHT Climate & Energy on LinkedIn.Illustration: Masha Krasnova-Shabaeva.Show notes:You can find the Jolt episode on geothermal here.
48. Rewiring US Customer Relationships
54:07The US’ electricity system is complicated, with each of the 50 states setting its own rules for how markets work, how power is priced and who manages customer relations. But amid the complexity, Octopus Energy US sees a big opportunity to continue its UK success story across the pond and help US customers benefit from decarbonised electricity. According to Michael Lee, the CEO of Octopus Energy US, customers can be the centrepiece of a grid based around more flexible demand if the focus is on cheaper prices and rewards for joining the road to decarbonisation. He joins Watt Matter’s David Weston and Jan Rosenow to look at the company’s goal to boost customer’s involvement in the energy transition and the challenges of decarbonising the US grid. Enjoy the show! If you have any thoughts or questions about anything that has been discussed in this week’s episode, you can reach us at our X accounts: Michael Lee:https://twitter.com/The_Michael_Lee?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Michaela Holl:https://twitter.com/CitizenSane1 Jan Rosenow:https://twitter.com/janrosenow David Weston: https://twitter.com/DaveW_FORESIGHT Michaela Holl: https://twitter.com/CitizenSane1 Jan Rosenow: https://twitter.com/janrosenow Kira Taylor: https://twitter.com/KiraTaylor15 @WattMattersPod: https://twitter.com/WattMattersPod FORESIGHT Climate & Energy: https://twitter.com/FORESIGHTdk Show notes via this link: https://foresightdk.com/wm-ep47/. Listen and subscribe to Watt Matters wherever you get podcasts. Follow us on Twitter at @WattMattersPod or email us at show@wattmatterspodcast.com. You can also find FORESIGHT Climate & Energy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/foresight-climate-energy/. Illustration: Masha Krasnova-Shabaeva. TRY FULL ACCESS TO FORESIGHT CLIMATE & ENERGY FOR €1 A DAY Join over 100,000 policymakers, energy experts in business, finance, and academia, city leaders, and leading NGOs in having access to FORESIGHT Climate & Energy GET YOUR 30 DAY TRIAL: www.foresightdk.com/subscribe/.
47. Putting the "net" in net zero emissions
45:58There are no studies where absolute zero emissions can be reached with reductions alone, meaning carbon removals are crucial to reaching ‘net’ zero emissions, according to the IPCC. After the world has reached that point, any remaining emission would need to be countered by an equivalent removal from the atmosphere. Because of this, the world of carbon removals is rapidly growing in importance, from technological innovations to legislation looking into how to verify removals. To introduce us to the world of capture and storage (CCS) and carbon dioxide removals (CDR), Eve Tamme, policy expert and founder of climate policy advisory, Climate Principles, joins the Watt Matters team. Enjoy the show. If you have any thoughts or questions about anything that has been discussed in this week’s episode, you can reach us at our X accounts: Eve Tamme: https://twitter.com/EveTamme?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor David Weston: https://twitter.com/DaveW_FORESIGHT Michaela Holl: https://twitter.com/CitizenSane1 Jan Rosenow: https://twitter.com/janrosenow Kira Taylor: https://twitter.com/KiraTaylor15 @WattMattersPod: https://twitter.com/WattMattersPod FORESIGHT Climate & Energy: https://twitter.com/FORESIGHTdk Listen and subscribe to Watt Matters wherever you get podcasts. Follow us on Twitter at @WattMattersPod or email us at show@wattmatterspodcast.com. You can also find FORESIGHT Climate & Energy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/foresight-climate-energy/. Illustration: Masha Krasnova-Shabaeva. Show notes via this link: https://foresightdk.com/wm-ep46/. TRY FULL ACCESS TO FORESIGHT CLIMATE & ENERGY FOR €1 A DAY Join over 100,000 policymakers, energy experts in business, finance, and academia, city leaders, and leading NGOs in having access to FORESIGHT Climate & Energy GET YOUR 30 DAY TRIAL: www.foresightdk.com/subscribe/.
46. In the public eye
01:00:14Public transport operators are highly visible to the wider public. Increasingly their services are being electrified or run on clean energy. In this special live episode, Watt Matters delves into the procurement issues these operators are facing when it comes to low-carbon solutions. The transport sector is a crucial area of the economy that needs to decarbonise. As public transport operators face pressure to transition to low-carbon alternatives, they are also coming up against several challenges. Infrastructure, public procurement processes and public perception are all barriers they must overcome. In this special live episode, recorded at the Resource 2023 event in Amsterdam, Watt Matters delves into the public procurement of energy for the transport sector. Our guests on this week’s episode are: - Oier Lopez de Brinãs Gorosabel, sustainability strategist at the Stockholm Regional Authority - Paolo Marchetti, commercial, strategy, innovation and sustainability director for Azienda Trasporti Milanesi in Milan - Mario Canet, international business consultant for Transports Metropolitans Barcelona - Julius Kaden, corporate account manager at ACT Commodities If you have any thoughts or questions about anything that has been discussed in this week’s episode, you can reach us at our Twitter accounts: David Weston: https://twitter.com/DaveW_FORESIGHT @WattMattersPod: https://twitter.com/WattMattersPod FORESIGHT Climate & Energy: https://twitter.com/FORESIGHTdk Listen and subscribe to Watt Matters wherever you get podcasts. Follow us on Twitter at @WattMattersPod or email us at show@wattmatterspodcast.com. You can also find FORESIGHT Climate & Energy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/foresight-climate-energy/. Illustration: Masha Krasnova-Shabaeva. Show notes via this link: https://foresightdk.com/wm-ep45/. TRY FULL ACCESS TO FORESIGHT CLIMATE & ENERGY FOR €1 A DAY Join over 100,000 policymakers, energy experts in business, finance, and academia, city leaders, and leading NGOs in having access to FORESIGHT Climate & Energy GET YOUR 30 DAY TRIAL: www.foresightdk.com/subscribe/.