Business of Weather Podcast

In this episode we speak to Rolls Royce about their small modular reactor programme and examine the potential for ‘small’ nuclear too play a key role in a net zero power generation strategy.

In this episode of Business of Weather, we speak to Rob McLeod, the CEO of Infinite Energy, a business set up to commercialise a revolutionary clean energy technology called the ‘Infinite Power Cell’.

If you buy and sell your own shares then you make the decision to buy or to sell. No one tells you to do it and no one makes you do it. But to make the decision that best suits you requires information. In this episode of Business of Weather, we speak to Josh Gregory, the founder of Sugi, a smartphone App to help you check the carbon impact of your investments.

In this episode of Business of Weather, we speak to Suzanne Keane, Senior Portfolio Manager at the Europe’s largest fund manager Amundi, about the impact of climate change on its asset management activities. Amundi has more than Euros 1.7 trillion of institutional and retails funds under management making it one of the world’s top 10 investment managers.

In this episode of Business of Weather, we speak to the Jan Erik Saugestad, the CEO of Storebrand Asset Management, about how climate change is shaping the company’s investment strategy. Storebrand is a leading player in the Nordic market, managing USD91 biilion on behalf of investors ranging from pensions funds to individuals. It is one of the founding signatories of the UN Principles of Responsible Investment, a founding member of the UN-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance, and has pledged all of its investment portfolios will be net-zero by 2050.Mr. Saugestad has broad and deep asset management experience and knowledge gained over years of holding high profile positions within the industry. Prior to taking on the position as CEO of Storebrand Asset Management, he held several posts within the group such as Chief Investment Officer and Head of Asset allocation.Before joining the Storebrand Group in late 90s, Mr. Saugestad worked in the industry representing companies such as Nordea, Handelsbanken and McKinsey. He holds a degree in Master of Science at NTNU in Norway and an MBA from INSEAD in France.

The ringing of the NYSE bell has marked the debut of many newly listed companies. If you’re planning to launch your own a weather-related technology innovation, then what are the ingredients of a successful business, and how can you get the funding to launch it in the first place?When it comes to funding, there are various formal and informal networks that bring would-be entrepreneurs face to face with financiers, be they investors, lenders, grant organisations or, bang up to date, crowd-funders.Perhaps more fundementally though, how can you be sure that there’s actually a demand or requirement for what your business will be offering?One problem you may well face is that few financiers know the first thing about the weather, or how weather technologies and data services can assist weather affected businesses.You’ll have to explain this to them and a critical ingredient will be your business plan. This will require a clear marketing plan and realistic sales and revenue projections. Very importantly, it must display a clear understanding of who your customers are and why they want what you’re offering.In this episode of Business of Weather, we talk to serial weather entrepreneur, Dr. Jan Dutton, about his own experiences of setting up a business and getting fundingJan is the CEO of Prescient Weather Ltd. and ClimBiz Ltd. His career spans positions at Weather Ventures, Earth Networks, Storm Exchange, Schneider Electric, and DTN.His career objective he says, is to enable business decision making based on weather and climate information.In future episodes we shall be talking to other weather entrepreneurs t learn of their experiences.

Business of Weather speaks to Dr. Tony Busalacchi, President of the the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), about atmospheric research, public health, and how we might extend the benefits of the Covid-19 lockdown The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research – or UCAR for short – is a US non profit consortium of more than 115 North American colleges and universities focused on research and training in the atmospheric and related sciences. Since it's formation in 1958, it's aim has been to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and share knowledge. Through co-operation with the private sector it takes research out of the lab and into the real world for the benefit of society. UCAR has a major presence in the community which embraces numerous areas ranging from encouraging diverse students to pursue science careers, to providing online professional training, data delivery, and other services. UCAR also manages the National Centre for Atmospheric Research – or NCAR – which it set up in partnership with the US National Science Foundation to address pressing scientific and societal needs involving the atmosphere and its interactions with the oceans, land, and the Sun – what is now called ‘Earth system science'. To get an inside view on UCAR, and how it is responding to the growing challenges of extreme weather & climate change, Business if Weather spoke to the UCAR President, Dr. Tony Busalacchi. Dr Busalacchi also gave his thoughts on the relationship between atmospheric research and public health, and how we might extend the benefits gained during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Business of Weather investigates a new tool which could significantly increase the accuracy of tornado forecasting (more…)