Best 101Reporters Podcasts (2024)

1
India’s Energy Security and the Transition from Coal Power | ft. Dr. Joshua Busby & Deepshika Arora 50:19

5d ago50:19

50:19

Energy security remains a top priority for India as it seeks to balance growth with sustainability. A critical question emerges: Can India ensure energy security while also phasing down inefficient and uneconomical coal power plants? This issue involves not only understanding the current landscape of power production but also strategizing the retir…

1
The Right to Save our Future | ft. Shibani Ghosh 58:56

2M ago58:56

58:56

Can political leaders be taken to court over climate change impacts? Can the Indian Constitution recognize climate change under the right to live? A recent Supreme Court hearing explored these questions, sparking a national debate. The case ruled against the livelihood rights of an endangered bird, but what could laws against extreme weather and cl…

1
Accelerating Clean Cooking Revolution | ft. Abhishek Kar 57:48

3M ago57:48

57:48

Nearly 2.8 billion people around the world depend on solid fuels such as firewood and biomass for their cooking needs. Majority of such people reside in African and Asian countries including in India. India has made significant progress in enhancing access to modern fuels through policies that support greater use of LPG cylinders. However, several …

1
Going off grid: Greening India's power needs | ft. Dr. Debajit Palit 1:06:11

4M ago1:06:11

1:06:11

Imagine a future where every rooftop is a mini power station, contributing to a cleaner and greener environment. This isn't just a dream—it's the potential of decentralized renewable energy projects. From innovative micrgrids to efficient rooftop solar panels, these solutions are revolutionizing the way we power our lives. To know more, We sat with…

1
Get Ready for India's Clean Energy Boom: Hitting the 2030 Target | ft. Vibhuti Garg 46:09

5M ago46:09

46:09

India has ambitions to install 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030. Achieving this target would require large scale finance, sound policies and much more. To understand how India can achieve its renewable energy targets, we interviewed Vibhuti Garg, Director of South Asia at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. Vibhuti is an ex…

1
Gazing into the Crystal Ball: What's next for India's energy transition? 52:45

6M ago52:45

52:45

Season 4 of The India Energy Hour Podcast is here. To kickstart the season, the hosts are here to give a primer on what all to expect in India's journey towards energy transition. It is the year of general elections in India. A lot of policies and political decisions hinge on that. But there is other exciting stuff too. From India's maiden critical…

1
COP28: Hits, Misses and Vested Interests | ft. Jacob Koshy 1:09:35

7M ago1:09:35

1:09:35

This year’s Conference of Parties (COP28), hosted in the oil-rich UAE, was full of ironies. There were apprehensions over the host, which has oil wells in its backyard. The COP28 President was the CEO of the national oil company. It was expected that at least the rich nations would drive more climate finance. But the negotiations that unfolded over…

1
State of the Indian Energy Transition | ft. Aditya Ramji 1:00:02

8M ago1:00:02

1:00:02

India’s energy transition is central to global climate action. But where does India’s energy transition stand? What are the key challenges and opportunities in areas such as energy access, clean transportation and critical minerals. To understand the intricate dynamics of India's energy transition journey, we interviewed Aditya Ramji, Director of t…

1
Energy Transition: 1 Nation, 28 Pathways | ft. Ann Josey & Rohit Chandra 1:14:08

8M ago1:14:08

1:14:08

India's energy transition currently comprises a set of ambitious targets, the pathway for which is yet to be designed. While at the Central level, there are a variety of policies, the real challenge lies in their execution. And at the execution level there are at least 28 different clogs to be taken care of. States will need to play a larger role i…

1
From Star Rating to Efficient Fans: Why Energy Efficiency Matters? | ft. Saurabh Kumar 52:39

9M ago52:39

52:39

Energy efficiency in India has become an important focus due to the country's growing energy demands, environmental concerns, and the need to reduce energy costs. Several initiatives and policies have been put in place to enhance energy efficiency across various sectors in India. In this episode, we interviewed Saurabh Kumar, India Head of Global E…

1
Coding Climate Action: Can AI save the Earth? | ft. Himanshu Gupta 1:14:14

9M ago1:14:14

1:14:14

Climate tech is one of the emerging areas in the technology landscape offering a variety of new-age solutions for adapting to changing climate. Largely unexplored, climate tech has the potential to empower even the grassroot sectors with the ability to forecast and adapt to extreme weather and unprecedented climatic events. In this unique episode, …

1
How Green is your Money? | ft. Akshat Rathi 59:48

10M ago59:48

59:48

How many trillions would be required to reach zero? Are global dialogues enough to rake up funds? As countries race to meet their net carbon zero targets, it is the technological solutions and entrepreneurial ventures which could make it a reality. Capitalism has always been the antithesis of climate action. But what happens when you marry them bot…

1
India's G20 Presidency: Navigating Complex Geopolitical Waters | ft. Swati D'Souza 57:51

10M ago57:51

57:51

As the G20 host, India deftly managed geopolitics, especially Russia-Ukraine, while driving energy and climate discussions. Topics like renewable energy, critical minerals, and sustainable finance took center stage, likely impacting the upcoming COP summit. India's challenge is finding unity among diverse priorities, addressing resource nationalism…

1
India's G20 Presidency: Balancing Energy Security and Climate Goals | ft. Arunabha Ghosh 52:52

11M ago52:52

52:52

India's G20 presidency started amidst major geopolitical events, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These events reshaped energy markets and climate policies globally. As energy security considerations took center stage, countries started re-evaluating climate and energy policies. Most countries started looking inward, pushing for policies …

1
G20 Special: Will India change the tone for Global Energy Transition? | ft. Sudarshan Varadhan 1:02:27

11M ago1:02:27

1:02:27

India has taken over the presidency of G20 at a time when the conventional geopolitics around key sectors is witnessing a shift - be it fossil fuels, climate, financing and several others. While it has provided the country an opportunity to lay a ground for a stronger voice of the Global South in energy transition and climate action, the ongoing tu…

1
Tailor Fit Green Energy | ft. Vivek Subramanian 1:00:03

12M ago1:00:03

1:00:03

In this episode, Vivek Subramanian - Co-founder and Executive Director of Fourth Partner Energy discusses the market dynamics and trends in the decentralised green energy industry. He shares his entrepreneurial journey and the growth of his company. He emphasized on long-term contracts in the decentralised space especially with commercial and indus…

1
State of the Indian Power Sector | ft. Abhinav Jindal 50:47

1y ago50:47

50:47

In India, the coal based electricity dominates the power sector. But the country has set ambitious renewable power targets. This will bring about many techno-economic and socio-political changes. For example, Indian state owned enterprises in the power sector may have to redefine themselves, and there will be a need for new financial mechanisms and…

1
Changing face of India's Green Energy sector | ft. Srivatsan Iyer 51:31

1y ago51:31

51:31

India's green energy landscape has witnessed remarkable growth and transformation in recent years, positioning the country as a global leader in the clean energy transition. With a growing population, rapid urbanization, and rising energy demands, India recognized the need to diversify its energy sources and reduce its heavy reliance on fossil fuel…

1
Heat is On! Can India adapt to warming weather? | ft. Aditya Valiathan Pillai 1:00:28

1y ago1:00:28

1:00:28

In recent years, heatwaves in India have become more frequent, intense, and longer-lasting. This increase can be attributed to the larger problem of global warming and climate change. Rising greenhouse gas emissions have led to a rise in average global temperatures, which directly contribute to the occurrence and severity of heatwaves. In order to …

1
Path to Climate Justice in a Net Zero World | ft. Tejal Kanitkar & Rahul Tongia 1:28:50

1y ago1:28:50

1:28:50

For years, multiple Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have relied on integrated assessment models or IAM modelling pathways to achieve global net zero targets. The IPCC reports and IAM pathways have become key drivers of government policy on keeping a lid on global warming in many countries. However, scholars from Global South have a…

1
What will it cost to save the planet? | ft. Varad Pande 1:04:33

1y ago1:04:33

1:04:33

Climate financing in India is crucial for achieving sustainable development and mitigating the impacts of climate change. The government’s efforts to mobilize climate finance, along with support from international institutions are essential for achieving these goals. In order to understand the complexities and challenges of financing climate change…

1
Green Giving: Understanding Climate Philanthropy | ft. Vikas Mehta 58:38

1+ y ago58:38

58:38

Climate philanthropy globally and in India are starting to play a catalytic role for enabling climate action. They are starting to bet on innovative ideas and projects that enable decarbonisation of key sectors, foster solutions that benefit communities and economies, and bridge the gap between philanthropy and commercial investment. To understand …

1
Riding into Climate Action | ft. Vinay Jaju 42:21

1+ y ago42:21

42:21

Under ‘Move for Earth’ initiative, co-founder of SwitchON Foundation Vinay Jaju cycled over 3,000 km across different states in East India, connecting with farmers, women and youth to address clean air, sustainable agriculture and renewable energy. Vinay Jaju is also the co-founder of ONergy and ONskills. He has collaborated with various ministries…

1
Emerging economy of Critical Minerals: Are countries prepared? | ft. Dr. Seaver Wang 56:01

1+ y ago56:01

56:01

To meet global climate targets, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind will need to be deployed at scale. This will mean large-scale mining and processing of critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements, which form key components of the solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles required for the energy transit…

1
India's Wind Sector: Phoenix or Ashes? | ft. D V Giri 51:04

1+ y ago51:04

51:04

India's wind energy sector has never had a breezy year for close to a decade now. An early mover in the green energy space, wind energy players relied on tax benefits for initial growth. But as incentives and subsidies faded, so did the fortunes. Recently, in another major policy shift, the bidding regime for the wind sector would undergo significa…

1
Rating India’s Climate Action Plan: Going Beyond the Headlines | ft. Ulka Kelkar 57:28

1+ y ago57:28

57:28

This year marks the starting line for India’s energy transition plan, in line with its Net Zero ambitions. The country has made a range of ambitious announcements starting from renewable energy addition to assertive stand on global climate platforms. Challenges of balancing energy needs versus climate commitments aside; India’s energy transition wo…

1
Special Series: Future of Coal & Just Transition - Greening the Steel | Part-3 47:49

1+ y ago47:49

47:49

A major part of India's energy transition would come from the power sector but for the broader goal of decarbonization, energy-intensive industries need to plan a green future. The steel industry which forms the backbone of the country's infrastructure growth is the foremost industry to plan a transition. The sector which relies on metal mining, dr…

1
Coal and Just Transition in Jharkhand | Special Series Part-2 48:07

1+ y ago48:07

48:07

India has set a net zero target by 2070. If this target is to be achieved, India will have to reduce its reliance on coal. However, decreasing coal production and use is complex as it will impact millions of workers, communities and coal-dependent states. In order to mitigate the impact on workers and communities in coal-dependent states, the state…

1
Future of Coal & Just Transition in India | Special Series Part-1 56:31

1+ y ago56:31

56:31

India's energy transition stands at the crossroads of meeting the nation's rising energy demand and pressure at the global front to reduce emissions. Having now committed to a low carbon development plan and a net zero target year, all eyes are on India to declare the expiry date of coal. To get a ringside understanding of this complex issue, we in…

1
COP27: Conversation to Concrete Action? | Episode 33 48:47

1+ y ago48:47

48:47

The upcoming COP27 is expected to set the tone for developing economies to strengthen their climate-focused demands from the developed world. Adaptation solutions, loss and damage funds, and enhanced climate financing are likely to be the focus areas. Though the shadow of the Russia-Ukraine war and impending recession might impact negotiations, it …

1
Climate Readiness: State of Play in Indian States | Episode 32 1:03:13

2y ago1:03:13

1:03:13

For any meaningful climate action in India, the 28 Indian states and 8 union territories will have to play a crucial role. They have to maintain nodes of implementation of climate plans. But are the states ready to embrace the national and international ambitions of climate action? Could pushing central targets lead to more tussle between centre an…

1
Energy Storage: The Catalyst to India's Energy Transition | Episode 31 53:38

2y ago53:38

53:38

If India wants to achieve its net zero goal by 2070, energy storage technologies will have to play a crucial role. From battery to pump storage, several different technologies are now commercially available in 5 countries and several others are at the R&D stage. They would all need to be deployed at a scale several magnitudes higher than today as I…

1
Is India walking the talk on its Climate Promises? | Episode 30 48:25

2y ago48:25

48:25

As COP27 inches closer, the promises and commitments made during the last global climate conference are under scrutiny. India which was the biggest surprise, thanks to its Net Zero target year announcement has been under the scanner for laying out its climate plans. The Union Cabinet recently approved India's Nationally Determined Contributions whi…

1
Communicating Climate: Demystifying vs Greenwashing | Episode 29 52:24

2y ago52:24

52:24

Talking about climate change, especially in the developing world, is no longer a topic of so-called "academic interest". There are now multitudes of issues involved, countless lobbies on both sides of the debate and largely uninformed public. Climate communication in such a scenario becomes pertinent and as important as the climate issues themselve…

1
Plastic Ban, Green Waste & Recycling 500 GW Renewable Energy | Episode 28 53:13

2y ago53:13

53:13

India recently enforced a ban on single-use plastic items across the country. This move will have a ripple effect across several industries, including FMCG. Experts, however, view this as a bold step towards waste management in the country. Of this, an impeding concern is over renewable energy waste. Solar wastes are generated by discarded solar pa…

1
Green Energy & Ecology: Land, Farmers & an Endangered Bird | Episode 27 1:09:57

2y ago1:09:57

1:09:57

India's renewable energy sector is facing an unusual dilemma - on one side are the ambitious targets set out by the government and on the other are problems and issues that come with rampant growth and increase in size of the industry. One such issue is the GIB or Great Indian Bustard case in Rajasthan and Gujarat where 20 GW of solar and wind powe…

1
India's annual summer affair with Coal/Power Crisis | Episode 26 55:21

2y ago55:21

55:21

As it has been happening for years now, coal and power crisis has gripped India yet again. Severe heatwaves caused due to climate crisis coupled with mismatch in coal demand and supply, led to a nationwide power crisis. Electricity distribution utilities are resorting to power cuts, Centre is pushing imported coal and ministries of coal and railway…

1
Money, Scale, Intent: Path to Climate Mitigation | Episode 25 1:06:38

2y ago1:06:38

1:06:38

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) working group III recently released a report on climate change mitigation. It assessed methods for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and provided many policy solutions for how countries can contain the climate crisis. To understand what this new IPCC report says, we interviewed Professor Navroz …

1
Climate Stories from the Corners of India | Episode 24 1:16:54

2+ y ago1:16:54

1:16:54

Increased heat, drought and wildfires are all linked to climate change. Climate change has altered the physical geography in rural areas by disappearing flora and fauna, and other natural habitats that constitute the livelihood of the local people. In order to understand the ground reality of climate impact in rural areas, we spoke with M Raghuram,…

1
Climate change impacts & adaptation: Does India have a plan? | Episode 23 1:08:16

2+ y ago1:08:16

1:08:16

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report recently that made global headlines. A fact from the report came out as a dire warning - over 40% of the world's population is "highly vulnerable" to climate change. However, there is much more in this report, which was authored by 270 researchers from 67 countries. The report e…

1
Towards a thriving power market in India | Episode 22 1:11:28

2+ y ago1:11:28

1:11:28

Since 2003 when the electricity market in India opened up to private investment, variety of market mechanisms also came up along with it. Long term power purchase agreements have been backbone of power supply in the country. But other short and medium terms contracts have helped meeting sudden demand surge, acted as bridge supply and lately given s…

1
Role of Mini Grids in Mega Challenge of Energy Access | Episode 21 1:00:29

2+ y ago1:00:29

1:00:29

In the last few years, India electrified nearly all its households by extending the national grid. Yet, reliability of available power is still a major concern. Some rural and remote areas still face power cuts of nearly 10-12 hours a day. Lack of reliable power prevents local economic development as factories and shops cannot function efficiently.…

1
InvIT: New-age Funding for Grand Old Power sector | Episode 20 1:07:48

2+ y ago1:07:48

1:07:48

The power transmission network is the backbone of any nation's electricity grid. India needs to rapidly expand and overhaul its electricity grid network to undertake a successful energy transition and ensure reliable power to all. While state-owned Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) has led the growth of power transmission in India, a handful …

1
Climate Resilience: Role of Water-Energy-Food Nexus | Episode 19 57:47

2+ y ago57:47

57:47

In the history of the global climate change conferences, it was in the recent COP26 that for the first time there was a separate Water pavilion. Water economy management has faced negligence on the climate discussion table till yet but it is time that water is given the centerstage. Water forms the key bridge in the energy-food supply chain. Water …

1
COP26: Key highlights & implications | Episode 18 47:48

2+ y ago47:48

47:48

CoP26 concluded on November 13 with the Glasgow Climate Pact, signed by leaders from nearly 200 countries. The pact aims to limit global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Throughout the two weeks of the conference there were numerous pledges and declarations. Many experts have hailed the Glasgow Climate Pact and the various climate pledg…

1
COP26: Negotiations, Targets and Realities (Part-II) | Episode 17 1:00:11

2+ y ago1:00:11

1:00:11

COP26, the world’s biggest climate change conference, is now only a week away. After traversing through the history and functioning of climate negotiations in the first part of our COP special series, in this second part, we delve into key negotiation points at COP26, India’s role in the current negotiations, and what could be the bottlenecks and c…

1
COP26: Negotiations, Targets and Realities (Part-I) | Episode 16 1:24:54

2+ y ago1:24:54

1:24:54

COP26, which is the world’s biggest climate change conference, is only two weeks away. Policymakers from over 200 countries will gather at Glasgow to discuss how to move forward with a more ambitious climate agenda. We at the India Energy Hour are really excited to publish two episodes focusing on COP26. We have interviewed two eminent guests who k…

1
Digging into the Coal Crisis: What, How & Why? | Special Episode 54:41

3y ago54:41

54:41

As India goes into the festive season with a rebound in the economy post Covid second wave, the country is facing a power crisis with over 80% of thermal power plants in the country facing a coal shortage. Many states have warned their customers of power shortage and there is considerable panic anticipating these power cuts. But how did the crisis …

1
Financing India’s Green Leap | Episode 15 1:06:15

3y ago1:06:15

1:06:15

There is a sudden upsurge of green sector financing in the world - from direct climate financing, ESG goals, to green bonds. India, one of the fastest growing energy markets with ambitious renewable energy plans is looking at these modes to fuel its green targets. How successful though we have been? And as the country and key investors in the green…

1
Making India's coal power efficient: What's the right path? | Episode 14 1:16:33

3y ago1:16:33

1:16:33

India’s electricity sector is facing two major challenges - low electricity demand and massive overcapacity. On one hand, renewable energy installations are on the rise in the country but it is often curtailed. While 100 GW of solar and wind power have already been installed, 50 GW is under installation and 27 GW is under tendering. On the other ha…

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