The Asia Climate Finance Podcast

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com Global carmakers are currently hiding a massive 33% carbon gap, effectively operating as oil companies in disguise. Ben Scott from Carbon Tracker joins us to reveal why legacy auto giants face a "Kodak moment" as they lag behind the electric vehicle transition. We explore how China’s EV dominance empowers the Global South to leapfrog fossil fuel depende...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com Summer Bae from Cleantech Group joins us to reveal how the Asia Pacific cleantech market is finally moving from hype to solid business proof. We dive into the "two valleys of death" for hardware startups and the urgent need for catalytic capital to bridge the regional funding gap. We explore how AI accelerates hardware breakthroughs and why the global f...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com China's carbon market is already the world's largest, and it's about to get far more complex. Leading market expert Jeff Huang has a front-row seat to what's coming: absolute emissions caps replacing the old intensity targets, carbon auctioning arriving in steel, cement and aluminium, and Hong Kong quietly positioning itself as the trading hub...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com In this episode, Tan Chong Yee, Chief Financial Officer of FlyORO Technologies, joins us to unpack the critical logistics and funding mechanisms needed to scale sustainable aviation fuel across the Asia-Pacific region. We explore how innovative distributed blending infrastructure solves last-mile supply chain bottlenecks and helps bend the jet fuel cost curve. Cl...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com Cooling is responsible for 15 per cent of global emissions and uses nearly two thirds of the electricity in commercial buildings. In this episode, Sam Ringwaldt from Conry Tech explains how modular micro units can cut cooling energy by 70 per cent and increase asset valuations by 18 per cent. We explore the rise of Comfort as a Service, the next generation of dee...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com Our guest is Nana Li, a stewardship expert who's just written a handbook on navigating sustainability across Asia Pacific. She walks us through why the money decisions happening in Asia actually shape global sustainability, not the other way around. We explore how China's state-led approach and Japan's demographic crisis are forcing real innovation...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com China has emerged as the global clean tech leader through a national mandate for ecological progress and massive investments in solar, wind, and battery technology. Policy expert Christine Loh joins the show to explore China's transition away from coal and Hong Kong’s ambitious push for carbon neutrality by 2050. Listeners will gain vital insights into the f...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com ASEAN requires a staggering $280 billion annually to meet its clean energy targets, placing the mobilisation of global capital at the heart of the regional agenda. In this episode, Dinita Setywati and Alnie Demoral, two experts from the energy think tank Ember explain why a modernised power grid is the essential backbone for Southeast Asia’s green transition. You...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com Jo Richardson, head of research at the Anthropocene Fixed Income Institute, explains why the global debt market holds more power over climate transition than the stock market. Of the world’s 100 largest emitters are responsible for 75% of all emissions, but only 30 are listed on the stock market, yet all have debt outstanding. This reality gives fixed income inve...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com How is AI turning climate reporting from a tick‑box task into something useful? Greg Elders from Canbury Insights explains why financial materiality sits back at the heart of climate strategy. He shows how this shift affects investors, regulators and companies. We examine Europe pushing for real sustainable impact under CSRD, the US facing ESG uncertainty and mix...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com Unlock the secrets of solar bankability in this episode with Harsh Goenka from Solargis , a leading solar data and software provider. We explore how high-quality satellite data and AI-driven forecasting reduce investment risk and manage weather variability. Discover how precise resource assessment helps grid operators transition from coal to reliable, base-load r...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com Host Joseph Jacobelli welcomes Mike Thomas, leading energy economist and founder of The Lantau Group (TLG) , for their annual review and 2026 outlook. Mike argues that we have reached a historic tipping point where solar-plus-battery hybrids are now cost-competitive with traditional gas and coal, often without requiring a premium for base-load-style power. The co...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com This special year‑end episode of Asia Climate Finance unpacks the three defining themes that shaped the energy transition in 2025. Joseph Jacobelli explores the ratchet effect driving unstoppable momentum, Asia’s emergence as a global rule shaper, and the rise of blended finance models unlocking capital for clean energy. He also highlights major trends from AI‑dr...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com Asia's climate finance landscape is evolving rapidly. In our discussion, our guest,  KPMG's Ha Do, explores how Asian governments are shifting from policy ambitions to concrete implementation, the climate finance mechanisms proving most effective in mobilising capital, and why state-owned enterprises remain at mid-stage ESG maturity. We examine green pu...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com Stephen Edkins, CEO of Koya Nuclear, examines how TRISO fuel and small modular reactors could reshape Asia’s decarbonisation pathways. The discussion explains what TRISO is, why its high-temperature resilience and safety profile matter, and how it changes the economics of SMR projects. Stephen also explores government policy, financing hurdles, supply-chain needs...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com Explore the powerful links between climate, health, and development. Hear from Dr Vera Siesjö how the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank is tackling health challenges in Asia and beyond. Discover how climate change, digital innovation, and infrastructure investment shape health for millions. Learn why a healthy planet means healthier lives. REF: INFRASTRUCTURE F...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com Discover how nature itself is becoming the new infrastructure shaping our future. In this episode, experts from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank reveal how wetlands, mangroves, and forests are not just scenery but powerful tools for climate resilience and sustainable economic growth. We discuss innovative finance solutions mobilising private capital, the...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com Fuel your understanding of climate finance and energy transition. Join Woochong Um, CEO of the Global Energy Alliance, as he reveals how bold partnerships and innovative financing are powering global clean energy solutions. Discover real-world stories of impact, scaling technologies, and breaking down barriers to a greener future. Tune in to unlock the future of...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com We talk to Kingsmill Bond, energy strategist at Ember, sharing insights from his latest report, "The Electrotech Revolution". Discover how new energy technologies are transforming economies and geopolitics, with a special focus on Asia's rapid clean energy advancements. Tune in to explore the future of power systems, investment shifts, and what it...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com How do you scale green hydrogen from a laboratory curiosity to industrial reality? Alexander Tancock, CEO of Intercontinental Energy, reveals the breakthrough P2H2 Node system that’s turning massive renewable projects into factory-produced “Lego blocks.” With numerous projects across three continents and backing from strong financial partners, Intercontinental En...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com Joseph Jacobelli and Toby Chan unpack the dynamic landscape of climate tech investing in Asia. The discussion highlights current VC trends, financing gaps, and the transition from emerging tech to mainstream infrastructure, with case studies from maritime and aviation. Discover why Asia is gaining ground amid US policy shifts and how policy, capital, and supply c...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com This episode dives deep into Australia's position as an emerging leader in the green hydrogen market, exploring both the immense potential and current challenges facing the industry. Nick Smith, a leading expert, shares insights from his unique perspective spanning corporate, government, and advisory roles, discussing major projects like the 1.8 million tonn...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com Southeast Asia's energy transition faces a critical challenge: information fragmentation. With hundreds of projects, billions in investments, and countless stakeholders working across the region, coordination has been nearly impossible - until now. In this episode, we explore SIPET (Southeast Asia Information Platform for the Energy Transition), an open-sour...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com In this episode, Joseph converses with Srini Nagarajan, who heads Asia for British International Investment (BII). BII is the UK’s development finance institution. It is focused on investing in sustainable infrastructure and businesses in developing countries to promote economic growth and support the UK's development goals. Between 2022 and 2026, BII plans...

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com Banle Group ’s Venus Zhao discusses how CBL International is revolutionising the maritime industry through sustainable biofuels. Its B24 biofuel blend reduces GHG emissions by up to 25% compared to conventional marine fuels. With operations across 60+ global ports and recent ISCC certifications, CBL is positioned to capitalise on the projected 50% growth in the g...