Powering Sustainable Ideas

The expansion of power and infrastructure to support the energy transition is unfolding against a complex backdrop. Policy uncertainty, geopolitical tension, and shifting market forces are colliding with record investment and a rapidly evolving mix of technologies. Ralph Ibendahl, Global Head of Energy Transition and Co-head of Power Utilities for Europe, assesses the challenges and opportunities...

Canada is building a Sustainable Finance Taxonomy to provide clarity for issuers and investors navigating the energy transition. In this episode, Barbara Zvan, President and CEO of the University Pension Plan and Chair of the Canadian Taxonomy Financial Sector Advisory Group, outlines the governance structure and timeline, in a conversation with Sarah Thompson, Global Head of Sustainable Finance r...

They extract CO2 direct from the air, but direct air capture technologies typically drink up massive quantities of water and energy while doing so. An alternative offered by New Jersey-based Avnos actually generates water. In this episode of Powering Sustainable Ideas, Avnos founder Will Kain explains how it’s done, and why he believes his innovation will be especially attractive to datacenter ope...

As geopolitical tensions in the Middle East raise the prospect of a more prolonged energy shock, how should investors think about the implications for inflation, consumer behavior, and markets? Global Head of Commodity Strategy Helima Croft, Chief Economist Frances Donald, and Head of U.S. Equity Strategy Lori Calvasina discuss what a disruption in oil supply could mean for the macro outlook — and...

As electricity demand surges, geopolitical risks increase, and the physical impacts of climate change escalate, how are investors responding? In this episode, RBC Capital Markets' Global Head of Sustainable Finance Sarah Thompson reflects on the outlook for the market in the light of new global realities, in discussion with Moses Choi, Head of U.S. Sustainable Finance, and Stefano Vitali, Head of...

The industry is going all-out to put new energy on the grid. The spike in projected demand will boost every type of generation. But how will renewables fare amid connection constraints and policy changes? In this episode of Powering Sustainable Ideas, analyst Chris Dendrinos offers some insight from his new analysis of the clean energy outlook for 2026 and beyond.

IMI has notched up an enviable three-year growth record. Now the engineering group is raising the bar, setting itself higher margin targets. In this episode of Powering Sustainable Ideas, CFO Luke Grant sets out the strategy behind this run of success, in a conversation recorded at RBC Capital Market’s 2026 UK Focus Conference with Mark Fielding, Head, European Capital Goods Research.

Is now the right time to jump into carbon removals? Moderated by Brian Hong, Director of Environmental Market Solutions at RBC Capital Markets, this episode features Dr. Eddie Halfyard (CarbonRun), Charlie Renzoni (Deep Sky), Kate Rodger (Isometric), and Bill Shmygol (Evok Innovations) discussing the carbon removal market's shift from early adopters to mainstream corporate buyers.

As rocketing demand growth collides with real supply constraints, how can energy, power, and mining players fund and deliver the large-scale projects required? Joining Trevor Gardner, Head of Investment Banking Coverage, to survey the sectors’ outlook for 2026 are Chris Redgate, Head of Canadian Energy Investment Banking; Craig Edgar, Managing Director, Power Utilities and Infrastructure; and Fari...

What does it take to turn a climate tech start-up into a fully-fledged, profitable business? For RBC Capital Markets’ Climate Week CEO summit, four leaders discussed their companies’ journeys. As they set out to transform their diverse sectors – carbon capture, waste management, geothermal energy, and electricity transmission – each grapples with the hard realities of capital-raising and commercia...

At the RBC Energy Transition Conference 2025, Paul Betts, Co-Head of European M&A at RBC Capital Markets, moderates a panel on Europe's battery value chain, EV targets, and market repositioning.

At the RBC Energy Transition Conference 2025, Paul Betts, Co-Head of European M&A at RBC Capital Markets, moderates a panel on Europe's battery value chain, EV targets, and market repositioning.

At the RBC Energy Transition Conference 2025, Alex Thomas, Managing Director, Investment Banking at RBC, leads a panel exploring AI-driven energy demand, power delivery challenges, and the innovations shaping digital infrastructure.

At the RBC Energy Transition Conference 2025, Biraj Borkhataria, Global Head of Energy Transition Research at RBC, moderates a panel on energy security, reliability, and affordability.

While some point to culture wars and range anxiety, the real story behind the electric vehicle (EV) slowdown may lie in the used car market. Tom Narayan, Lead Equity Analyst for Global Autos at RBC Capital Markets, reveals how a surprising pricing dynamic is reshaping consumer behavior and forcing a revised outlook for EV adoption over the medium term.

While nuclear energy has long been recognized for its potential to deliver clean and reliable power, its adoption has faced challenges. Ontario is addressing these hurdles through refurbishment programs and a strong local supply chain. In this episode, RBC's Sabahat Khan, Industrials Analyst, moderates a panel discussion with Aaron Johnson (SVP, Nuclear at Aecon), James Scongnack (COO, Bruce Power...

While carbon capture has long promised to transform industrial emissions, deployment has been hampered by cost and scalability challenges. Svante aims to change that with its solid sorbent technology and ambitious manufacturing plans. CEO Claude Letourneau discusses the company's strategy to capture 15 million tons of CO2 by 2030 with RBC's Rob Nicholson, Managing Director and Head of the Canadian...

Natural gas markets are experiencing structural shifts as demand from power generation and data centers creates new growth opportunities. Industry leaders are adapting their capital strategies to capitalize on these trends while managing financial complexity. CFO Jeremy Knop shares insight on EQT Corporation’s transformation, the company's innovative $3.5 billion midstream joint venture with Black...

With over a century of power generation behind it, TransAlta Corporation is redefining its legacy for the energy transition era. The Canadian utility has cut its emissions dramatically while positioning for AI-driven demand growth and grid reliability challenges. CEO John Kousinioris explains how the company is balancing decarbonization with reliability, pursuing data center co-location opportunit...

Amid soaring electricity demand and the imperative for decarbonization, energy companies are also being expected to deliver reliable and affordable supplies. Emera has both goals in hand, according to Scott Balfour, CEO and President of the Canada-based utilities provider. In this episode of RBC Capital Markets’ Powering Sustainable Ideas podcast, he sets out Emera’s strategic vision and recent mi...

What happens when you design a carbon removal business around the needs of real industries and real customers – rather than new tech? CO280’s Natalie Khtikian and Jon Rhone explain how their project development approach is transforming pulp and paper mills into high-quality, high-volume CDR hubs. Speaking with Jonathan Sisto, Managing Director at RBC Capital Markets, they share why unlocking priva...

Despite political headwinds, targeted climate transition investments continue to show resilience while broader sustainable equity funds face challenges. Meanwhile, energy security concerns are reshaping exclusion policies and nuclear power is gaining acceptance. Sara Mahaffy, Head of Global Sustainability Strategy Research at RBC Capital Markets, explains the evolving investment landscape and iden...

How does a traditional oil and gas producer position itself to be simultaneously a leader in carbon capture and storage technology? In this episode of RBC Capital Markets’ Powering Sustainable Ideas podcast – CFO Clio Crespy explains how California Resources Corporation aims to do just that. CRC has gained the go-ahead for the first project of its CCS business, but what does that mean for its fina...

Australia's energy landscape is experiencing a transformation as unconventional gas development moves from exploration to commercial production. How are pioneering companies adapting proven U.S. shale technologies while meeting stringent net zero requirements? In this episode, Joel Riddle, CEO of Tamboran Resources, discusses the company's integrated strategy for developing the Beetaloo Basin, str...

At RBC’s 2024 Carbon Conference, Sarah Thompson, Global Head of Sustainable Finance at RBC Capital Markets, sat down with Lee Hodgkinson, Head of Sustainability and Technical Services, Dream, and Maxime Cossette, SVP, Kruger, to discuss their roles in the net zero community, Zibi.