Best Bloomberg Environment Podcasts (2024)

1
The 140 Year EV Battery from China, Natural Gas Appliances and Asthma 54:26

1h ago54:26

54:26

The world’s largest battery maker, unveils a battery that lasts 2.8 million kilometers, which is roughly 140 years of average driving—138 years more than Facebook memes claim about EV batteries. California is using robots to control wildfires by creating controlled burns. Think of it as a Zamboni, but with fire! India is spending $1.3 billion to su…

1
Satellites Zero In on Elusive Methane Emissions 34:50

20m ago34:50

34:50

Methane might be the world’s simplest hydrocarbon, but its immense global warming potential makes it a complex problem in the battle to halt climate change. It’s also invisible to the human eye, which has made catching the methane plumes leaking from oil and gas assets a challenge. That’s now changing, as a growing network of satellites offers more…

1
BYD Shark Week and Gasoline Demand Peaks in the United States? 58:35

6d ago58:35

58:35

Chinese carmaker BYD’s new truck, the BYD Shark, makes its debut on a popular YouTube channel. Both New York and LA are betting big on curbside EV charging, proving that East Coast vs. West Coast rivalries can pause for a clean energy future. Gasoline Demand Peaks? China and the US might be seeing a peak in gasoline demand, causing gas stations to …

1
Scaling Clean Energy to Power India’s Growing Demand 38:18

8d ago38:18

38:18

Extending energy access to the world’s most populous nation will be a Herculean task. To do it while also achieving its 2030 clean energy goals, India must increase its wind and solar capacity installations fourfold, highlighting just how much of a feat this energy transition will be. On today’s episode, Rohit Gadre, a BloombergNEF Specialist, mode…

1
Big Oil Pumps the Brakes on Its Dirty Asset Divestment 31:54

14d ago31:54

31:54

International oil companies have been divesting assets at a surprising rate. Between 2015 and 2023, nine of the world’s largest IOCs have sold a total of $290 billion of assets, with upstream oil assets accounting for half of the divestment deals. Yet this trend toward ditching dirty assets may now be changing, as divestment proceeds dropped 15% la…

1
EV Road Trip Adventures, Denver's E-Bike Craze, and a Robotic Lawn Mower Revolution 58:27

9d ago58:27

58:27

James shares his experiences with EV charging on a road trip, revealing the challenges of finding hotel chargers. Denver's e-bike voucher program is making waves, selling out faster than Taylor Swift tickets, and James reveals a surprising fact about the water usage of your favorite cotton t-shirt. Plus, listener stories about robotic lawn mowers a…

1
Carbon Capture: Innovation Rises as Investment Stalls 28:39

21d ago28:39

28:39

Carbon capture is on a roller coaster these days. Projects in the sector attracted more than $11 billion in 2023, almost double the investment figure from the year before, only to see growth stall in the first half of 2024. Fortunately, carbon removal technology reaches beyond the traditional ‘CCS’ model of carbon capture and storage (or ‘CCUS’ whe…

1
Protecting North American Automakers but Not the Planet 51:33

16d ago51:33

51:33

In this jam-packed episode, we discuss Canada's decision to impose 100% tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), a move that could double the price of imported vehicles and potentially hinder climate action. Meanwhile, Germany is accelerating its deployment of renewable energy by reducing bureaucratic red tape. We also delve into China’s Th…

1
Solar Potential in Alberta, Various Countries, and James's Roof 58:32

23d ago58:32

58:32

James sets the record straight for Alberta’s premier on that province's solar potential. The city of Milwaukee is considering constructing a 55-story building made of wood. We dive into the reasons behind the low cost of Chinese EVs and dispel some common misconceptions. The city of Los Angeles is planning to host a car-free Olympic Games in 2028. …

1
Fuel for Thought: Rising Tide of LNG May Become a Glut 35:50

29d ago35:50

35:50

A wave of new liquefied natural gas projects are due to be commissioned by the end of the decade. Yet a sharp increase in supply runs the risk of creating a glut, and with the rise of this transportable commodity, what impacts one market could have a ripple effect around the world. Today’s show addresses the interplay between global and regional ga…

1
(Encore) Interview with Bloomberg's Steve Mann on U.S. EV Adoption Trends 25:31

1M ago25:31

25:31

In this special interview episode of the Clean Energy Show, host James Whittingham speaks with Steve Mann, Global Lead Director for Auto and Industrial Market Research at Bloomberg Intelligence. Steve shares insights from Bloomberg's latest EV survey, which explores the vehicle buying intentions of U.S. consumers. Despite concerns over charging inf…

1
With Great Power Markets Comes Great Responsibility 34:31

1M ago34:31

34:31

Using electricity seems so simple: You flip a switch, and the light turns on. Yet behind that simple action is a sprawling and complex system of supply, demand and free-market economics. Today’s show dives into power markets. What are they and what role do they play in increasing the efficiency of power systems? Tom Rowlands-Rees, BNEF’s Global Hea…

1
Food or Fuel: The Energy Transition’s Battle for Land 29:49

1M ago29:49

29:49

What do biofuels, renewable power, and the food on your plate have in common? They all need land, and lots of it. While the technologies required to reach a net-zero future are expanding alongside rising energy demand, growing populations and higher living standards could require roughly a fifth more land be cultivated for agriculture by mid-centur…

1
China’s Full Self-Driving, Solar Hats, and Hertz EV Misadventures 43:03

1M ago43:03

43:03

China’s Xpeng Motors: Offering full self-driving on all Chinese roads. Solar Hats: A new solar hat capable of charging your phone is now available. Canadian EV Charging Network: An update on the still problematic Canadian EV charging network. Wildfire Smoke: A new study suggests that wildfire smoke may increase the risk of dementia. We also cover H…

1
Alberta Oil Country Weeps Over Its Lost Nature 47:52

1M ago47:52

47:52

One of the most beautiful places on earth has been ravaged by an unfightable wildfire. Ironically, the crews spent some of their time protecting a fossil fuel pipeline. Vermonters can get up to $6,000 towards a new EV if their old car was damaged in extreme flooding amplified by climate change. An East Coast city is saving money by buying wind powe…

1
New Energy Storage Solutions Test Lithium-Ion’s Reign 30:59

2M ago30:59

30:59

With the rise of intermittent renewable energy generation, the need for long-duration energy storage is rising fast. Lithium-ion batteries currently dominate the market, with record-low prices fueled by a global oversupply in battery manufacturing, but a group of new energy storage technologies may be about to challenge this technology’s position. …

1
Kamala Harris on Climate, The Rise of Superior Chinese EVs, and AI Combats Wildfires 45:05

2M ago45:05

45:05

Are Chinese cars of superior quality compared to Western-made vehicles? James shares his thoughts on this and laments the quality of dollar store goods. UK airlines may soon be required to disclose their carbon impact to passengers. Brian discusses the potential impact of this transparency. With the possibility of Kamala Harris becoming the next le…

1
EV Sales Growth Cools But Some Markets Still Run Hot 39:53

2M ago39:53

39:53

This year has been a mixed bag for electric vehicles. After EV sales hit new highs in 2023, some automakers have now revised down their near-term targets, citing falling demand. While this may have generated headlines, the overall market offers a more nuanced image, with different segments outperforming others, and growth in developing economies st…

1
Rooftop Revolution, China's Green Steel, and Free Bikes in Chicago 51:53

2M ago51:53

51:53

The new UK government has announced plans for a rooftop revolution. Cycling in Chicago has surged as the city continues to hand out free bicycles. The city said the program was necessary since Oprah stopped giving out free cars in 2004. Yes, 2004. That reference is now celebrating its 20th anniversary. China’s battery prices are at a point where th…

1
US Leads Clean Hydrogen Charge But Who Will Buy It? 29:51

2M ago29:51

29:51

Driven by supportive policies and a maturing project pipeline, clean hydrogen supply is set to increase 30-fold by 2030. Demand will be aided in part by Europe’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and other government policies, but fewer than a third of the 1,600 hydrogen projects that have been announced so far actually materialize in our analysis…

1
Birds Find Sanctuary in Solar Parks & The Vatican Goes 100% Green 42:33

2M ago42:33

42:33

A new study shows that solar parks provide sanctuary for birds. But let’s keep that a secret from Donald Trump to avoid any bird deportations. Congratulations to Pope Francis for achieving net zero at Vatican City. Progressive policies, indeed. Leaked recordings reveal how big oil companies maintain close ties with government officials, even at Cos…

1
Net-Zero Window Closing But Still Time to Get On Track 32:15

3M ago32:15

32:15

Each year, BloombergNEF’s New Energy Outlook develops and evaluates scenarios for the transition to a low-carbon economy. Delving into electricity, industry, buildings and transport, this flagship report outlines sector and country transition scenarios out to 2050. On today’s show, Dana is joined by co-host Tom Rowlands-Rees, BNEF’s head of researc…

1
Electric Aircraft Takeoff and The End of Coal 42:43

3M ago42:43

42:43

Chinese battery giant CATL tests long-distance electric aircraft with state-of-the-art batteries, France abandons plans for small modular nuclear reactors, and Britain bids farewell to its last coal-hauling train. Join Brian and James as they discuss these stories and more, including the latest updates on clean energy technologies and listener feed…

1
US Tariff Threat Risks Own Goal in Solar Trade War 38:04

3M ago38:04

38:04

The persistent oversupply of solar modules has pushed prices to record lows and threatened the competitiveness of manufacturing outside of Asia. Against this backdrop, a group of US companies has petitioned the Biden administration for further tariffs to be applied. While China has historically been the target of the US government, the latest levie…

1
Climate Lawsuits Win Big Where Political Will Hasn't 50:38

3M ago50:38

50:38

Hawaii’s historic youth-led pollution lawsuit, Atlanta’s rapid adoption of an e-bike rebate program, and California's innovative mosquito control strategy. We also discuss Canada’s new anti-greenwashing law and China’s accelerated decarbonization efforts. Plus, listener mail from Tasmania. Personal Updates: Brian shares his latest news and James re…

1
Electric Car Road Trip - The United States of America 58:19

3M ago58:19

58:19

What a 2030 world with very cheap batteries would look like. A new startup is planning to sell hydrogen-powered bicycles. Is this the future of e-mobility? Could a solution to the migrant challenge in Europe be to assist Africa with developing clean energy? The city of Paris has reduced air pollution in the city by 40% in anticipation of this summe…

1
Does Europe Need to Become More Protectionist? 34:35

3M ago34:35

34:35

The European Union could be leaning towards a more protectionist stance when it comes to clean industry manufacturing, with policies such as import tariffs and domestic content targets under consideration. Would such protectionist measures help the domestic clean energy and electric vehicle sectors flourish? Today’s show brings you a panel from the…

1
Nuclear Harbors Big Dreams Despite Hurdles 36:01

3M ago36:01

36:01

The global nuclear industry has been plagued with retirements for over a decade. However, after delegates at the COP28 summit last year voiced aspirations to triple nuclear capacity by 2050, the industry could be poised for growth. The usual regulatory, environmental and economic hurdles remain, but small modular reactors have the potential to amel…

1
Renewables Saved Billions in Health and Climate Impacts in 3 Years 47:42

3M ago47:42

47:42

Reduced emissions in the United States from 2019 to 2022 resulted in a quarter trillion dollars in savings in climate and health benefits. Vermont becomes the first US state to require big oil to pay for climate damages. There’s a downside to cleaning up air pollution: it turns out smog slows the heating of the ocean. As the planet warms, cities ar…

1
Strained Power Grids Test Flexible Market Solution 31:49

4M ago31:49

31:49

As already-strained power grids grapple with rapidly increasing demand, Europe is pioneering an innovative and powerful new tool to help system operators manage grid constraints. These local flexibility markets help balance electricity supply and demand by enabling distributed energy resources, such as electric vehicles or storage operators, to sol…

1
Rooftop Solar Boom Turns Australian Power Prices Red 42:16

4M ago42:16

42:16

Rooftop solar is celebrating a runaway success in Australia, which has positioned itself to become a renewable energy superpower. From a target of doubling its renewable energy capacity by 2030 to $1.2 billion in the federal budget dedicated to the clean energy sector, the country has big plans for its energy transition. Yet the country still has a…

1
Climate Lawsuits and China's Emissions in Permanent Decline 52:14

4M ago52:14

52:14

China may have peaked its emissions five years ahead of its target. So many cases against big oil are going forward on behalf of the climate. Now they're coming after the CEOs and board of directors. Tornadoes tear down wind turbines in Iowa. What is a marine court, anyway? Subscribe to the podcast for new episodes delivered to you every week! Here…

1
Self-Driving Vehicles Navigate Funding Speed Bumps 32:29

4M ago32:29

32:29

Autonomous vehicles might be the cars of the future, but following a flurry of venture capital and private equity funding a decade ago, investment in this space has since tapped the brakes. Last year saw VC/PE fundraising fail to reach $4 billion for the first time since 2017. While green shoots have come in the form of Tesla’s upcoming robotaxi la…

1
Sodium-Ion Batteries Now Powering the Grid in China 44:29

4M ago44:29

44:29

Sodium-ion batteries are now powering the grid in China. They're cheaper than lithium-ion and can charge from 0 to 90% in 12 minutes. Electric School buses in Oakland California will be able to supply enough grid power for 300 homes. We will have your summer grid reliability forecast. Once again our home here in Canada is on the list for possible r…

1
US ESG Backlash Steps Up as EU Strengthens Standards 33:42

4M ago33:42

33:42

The first quarter of 2024 has seen a flurry of sustainable finance policy activity and a wave of mandatory reporting rules. Yet on the flip side, anti-ESG policies are gaining traction in the US. On today’s show, Dana is joined by Maia Godemer, senior associate for green and sustainable finance at BloombergNEF, to discuss this rapidly changing envi…

1
America's New Sputnik Moment: The Onslaught of Chinese EVs 48:53

4M ago48:53

48:53

As China surges ahead with better and cheaper electric vehicles, the United States has chosen not to meet the challenge. U.S. automakers have dropped the ball and the government is putting 100% tariffs on China-made EVs in a blow to climate action. 0:00 Intro 18:36 China EV Tariffs Federal regulators in the US have decreed that utilities must now m…

1
Tony Seba: Humanoid Robots Will Accelerate the Energy Transition 1:03:51

4M ago1:03:51

1:03:51

RethinkX says the disruption of labor by humanoid robots is here. The think tank says it will accelerate the energy transition by building things better and cheaper. Battery recycling will blow you away. Elon Musk's hissyfit slows that same transition. Wind power down due to wind being down. Recycling wetsuits. Cold open: Clip from State of Charge,…

1
Brazil Harnesses Natural Capital to Fuel Green Future 34:02

4M ago34:02

34:02

As the host of this year’s G-20 meetings and next year’s COP30 climate conference, Brazil is in the spotlight. Ranked sixth globally for energy transition investment in 2023, and third for both wind and solar capacity additions, Brazil is aiming to use its vast array of natural resources to ensure its future as a clean energy powerhouse. On today’s…

1
US Hydrogen Industry at Odds Over Tax Credit Rules 39:53

5M ago39:53

39:53

As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, draft guidance for the US hydrogen production tax credit was introduced in December 2023, with the aim of promoting decarbonization in hard-to-abate sectors and enhancing energy security in the country. While some applauded the draft guidance for preventing greenwashing and driving real decarbonization, other…

1
Battery Breakthrough Bonanza 1:01:21

5M ago1:01:21

1:01:21

The two largest battery makers announced startling improvements in their batteries in the last month that they are immediately bringing to market. This means renewable energy can deploy much faster and electric cars will improve enough to be irresistible. The U.S. plans to upgrade one hundred thousand miles of the power transmission lines. Biden ki…

1
Interview: Steve Man of Bloomberg Intelligence on U.S. EV Survey 25:31

5M ago25:31

25:31

Electric Vehicles continue to pick up major traction in the US, with adoption continuing to accelerate even amidst growing challenges with charging infrastructure and overall affordability. A new survey from Bloomberg Intelligence found that despite these hurdles to growth, US battery electric vehicles (BEV) penetration is likely to reach 25% by th…

1
Green Jet Fuel Mandates Lift Demand for Scarce Supply 30:08

5M ago30:08

30:08

Sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, has the potential to help decarbonize aviation and is the most scalable technology for this hard-to-abate sector in the near term. With offtake agreements for SAF surging over the past two years, the nascent industry has been showing promise. However, hurdles remain due to scarcity of supply, resource competition …

1
Fossil Fuel Workers' Perspective on the Energy Transition 1:08:21

5M ago1:08:21

1:08:21

Through the new book Unjust Transition, and its launch event, James tries to bring the perspective of local oil refinery workers on the energy transition. James has great empathy for them and tries to dissect their outlook on the future. Battery Turning Point: Batteries supplying more energy to the California grid Sunday night than any other source…

1
China’s Clean-Tech Glut Undercuts US Onshoring Hopes 39:50

5M ago39:50

39:50

China is churning out clean energy technology at a breakneck pace, driving down prices on everything from solar panels to lithium ion batteries. With supply far exceeding demand, the timing couldn’t be worse for the many countries that are looking to onshore clean-tech equipment manufacturing. On today’s show, Dana is joined by BloombergNEF’s Head …

1
Powering the Future 52:39

5M ago52:39

52:39

Clean energy ignorance in rural Alberta, Canada, EV tax incentives finally going away for some, an electric car maker struggling with a name, EVs helping the grid and a serious overcapacity of batteries will speed the end of fossil fuels. REV Automotive Group helps Brian, James looks forward to a piece of the action. Gasoline Alley comic storyline …

1
The Oil Refinery Down the Street 57:57

5M ago57:57

57:57

A new book uncovers terrifying environmental misdeeds by a refinery located within the city limits of Regina, Canada, just one mile from the co-host of this podcast. Governments thankful for the positive economic impacts turned their backs on the health of their citizens. The USA’s largest public power utility has announced plans to retire what was…

1
Do or Die: Carbon Offset Markets Face Critical Year 37:06

5M ago37:06

37:06

Voluntary carbon markets are coming off a tumultuous year, with constant public scrutiny and high-profile scandals undermining investor confidence. Despite the turmoil, the market has grown to a record size, as corporations look to carbon offsets to reach their net zero goals. On today’s show, Dana is joined by Layla Khanfar, BNEF corporate sustain…

1
Climate Change and China's Influence on Clean Tech Adoption 1:04:07

6M ago1:04:07

1:04:07

China's manufacturing prowess and efficiencies have drastically lowered the cost of solar, wind and electric vehicles. Without them, hope for a speedy reduction in emissions would be lower. Even though they are building coal plants, China is not utilizing them to the fullest. Plus political strife in Canada over the price on carbon, Volvo has produ…

1
Methanol Sets Sail as EU Targets Shipping Emissions 30:04

6M ago30:04

30:04

Seaborne freight is the lifeblood of the global economy. It’s also a heavy polluter. Now that shipping companies, retailers and governments are all looking to decarbonize the supply chain, what is the outlook for clean shipping fuels? In a broad field of competing options including ammonia, methane and LNG, which is the most viable? On today’s show…

1
Canada Tops China for Battery Supply Chain Potential 30:45

6M ago30:45

30:45

As the world races to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, countries are ramping up their efforts across the supply chain, from mining raw materials to fostering consumer demand. For the fourth year, BloombergNEF has ranked the potential of 30 markets to build a secure, reliable and sustainable lithium-ion battery supply chain, with Canada…

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