Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations

In our 49th episode, Richard Delevan is back with a stellar lineup featuring our long-awaited interview with solar analyst Jenny Chase from Bloomberg NEF, about the second edition of Solar Power Finance without the Jargon , as well as her views on geese, grids, and scifi. And with European Parliament elections just days away, we speak to two climate tech journalists in Ireland for insights about h...

In this episode of Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations, Richard Delevan interviews Wil Burns, Co-Director of the Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal at American University. They delve into the critical role of carbon removal technologies, exploring their evolution from fringe concepts to mainstream climate strategy. The discussion covers the science, ethics, and policies essential fo...

In this episode of Wicked Problems, host Richard Delevan interviews Ernest Scheider, author of 'The War Below' and senior correspondent at Reuters. They explore the challenges and dilemmas related to obtaining critical minerals necessary for the energy transition. Topics include the ethical trade-offs between mining and biodiversity, the role of critical minerals in electronics and electric vehicl...

In this episode of Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations, we return to one of our favourite topics: carbon dioxide removals (CDR) and its potential role in combating climate change. Our host, Richard Delevan, interviews two distinguished guests:  Ben Cooke, Earth Editor at  The Times , and  Robert Höglund , manager of the MilkyWire Climate Transformation Fund, founder of&nbsp...

In this episode of Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations, host Richard Delevan sits down with Layla Sawyer, Secretary General of CurrENT Europe , and Dr. Ryan Williams, Chief Economist at ENODA , to delve into the pressing issues and innovative solutions surrounding our electricity grids. From the challenges of deploying existing technologies to the future potential of superconductors and a...

Prashant Rao from Semafor  and  Freya Pratty from the FT-backed Sifted  join Richard Delevan and discuss the latest in climate tech, investment challenges, and the evolving energy landscape. We also share our interview with  Laura Fleming , UK country director at Hitachi Energy. Key Topics Discussed: 1. The Valley of Death - Prashant Rao discusses the significant funding gap in...

Joining us from Buenos Aires, Tasmin Lockwood , a seasoned journalist with a rich background reporting at the intersection of people, climate and technology. Tasmin shares her journey from local news in South Wales to international climate tech coverage at Insider, discussing the pivotal moments that shaped her career and her passion for the intersection of technology, society, and climate. The co...

In this episode of Wicked Problems: Climate Tech Conversations, host Richard Delevan dives into groundbreaking new law in Vermont and its potential to reshape the fight against climate change. Richard is joined by two distinguished guests:  Lucy Maxwell , Co-Director of the  Climate Litigation Network , and  Tobias Engelmeier , Co-Founder of Munich-based climate tech startup  V...

For the first time anywhere, a law will make carbon polluters financially liable for climate damage. Here is part 1, about Vermont's groundbreaking Climate Superfund Bill. With independent climate journalist  Dana Drugmand  and climate litigation expert  Nigel Brook , the discussion explores the implications of this pioneering legislation, its potential impact on fossil fuel compani...

In this episode of Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations , we delve into the intersecting crises of climate change, internal disintegration, and global security with Dr. Anatol Lieven, Quincy Institute Eurasia programme director. With a stellar career as a journalist, scholar, and author, Dr. Lieven brings a wealth of expertise to discuss the mounting challenges facing democracies worldwide...

 Adaptation and resilience may be the Final Frontier of climate tech. Until recently even talking about it openly was taboo. But can climate adaptation be  investible ? And if we start talking about it openly - and shifting investment in that direction - does that starve other mitigation pathways of capital? Previous guest Ulrich Seitz, in just a few weeks after we spoke to him in Novemb...

In this episode, Richard Delevan is joined by  Rupert Read  and  Liam Kavanagh , who are spearheading the Climate Majority Project. They dive deep into the implications of their initiative, discussing the current state of climate awareness and the strategic moves required to mobilize and empower a climate-conscious majority. Key Topics Covered: *  Introduction to the Climate Ma...

Welcome back to Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations. This episode was supposed to come out last week. But Man plans and God laughs. Fortunately, and thanks to the amazing skills of voice and production wunderkind Theodore Delevan, we’re able to bring you this slightly-delayed episode.  Our roundtable discussion with veteran journos and analysts: Jonathan Leake, Energy Editor at the D...

*INNOVATION ZERO DEADLINE* We’re getting this out before 31 March 2024 to remind you of your last chance to get free tickets to  Innovation Zero  at the London Olympia next month. Where you also might get a chance to see  Matt Winning  who will host the  Innovation Zero Awards  (ticketed separately) on the evening of 30th April. After the 31st, tickets for the 2-day e...

Welcome back to Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations for a special Good Friday edition focused on the ever-evolving landscape of climate tech in the UK and Europe, the impacts of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, and insights into the insurance and energy sectors amidst climate change. Host Richard Delevan delves into these topics with insights from industry experts and reporters. Featured...

James Murray, Editor in Chief of  Business Green , talks with Wicked Problems about everything from handling unexpected protestors to Terry Pratchett-inspired  Solar Panel Theory of Socioeconomic Unfairness . Join us as James shares insights from the  Net Zero Festival , discusses the challenges of transition poverty, and offers a vision for a sustainable and equitable future. The B...

Freya Pratty , FT-backed Sifted.eu’s prolific climate tech reporter, joins Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations.  Just in time for her scoop  this morning about  2150.vc  leading a ‘buzzy’ £22m Series A investment into Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy-backed, UK-based, direct air capture pioneer  Mission Zero . Episode Highlights: The Quest for White Hydrogen: &nbsp...

Ciarán Cuffe , prominent Green Party Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from Dublin, known for his pivotal role in shaping European climate and energy policies, joins the pod. We discuss the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive , aimed at cutting the 40% EU emissions from buildings, and the pressing challenges and prospects leading up to the 2024 European Parliament elections. Key Topics...

In this episode of  Wicked Problems , Richard talks with  Joe Pretorius , one of the visionaries behind the “toco” currency and co-founder of  The Carbon Reserve , a non-profit central bank that will manage the money supply of tocos by matching them with carbon credits, with those assets backing the currency - marking a huge difference in approach to assets from the decentralised, v...

Welcome back to Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations. As the SEC votes today on new climate risk disclosure requirements for US public companies, here’s our conversation about the evolving landscape of climate disclosures with  Ryan Skinner , Head of Research for Net Zero and Climate Risk at  Verdantix   — a leading market research firm advising on sustainability, operations...

Richard Delevan sits down with  Solitaire Townsend , author of  The Solutionists: How Businesses Can Fix the Future   and the co-founder of the sustainability consultancy  Futerra . * [00:03:00]  Introduction:  Solitaire Townsend's background and journey into environmental activism. * [00:08:00]  Optimism vs. Possibilism:  Why embracing possibilism is crucia...

Richard Delevan sits down with Steven Meersman , co-founder of Zenobē Energy , to discuss the electrifying path from a basement coffee shop meeting to leading a revolution in the renewable energy sector. Listen in as we explore the innovative strides Zenobē has made in battery storage and electric transportation, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in our pursuit of a sustainable future. Epi...

What if we’re too late for a “Just Transition”, and the best we can hope for is a “Just Collapse”? Dr. Tadzio Mueller started as an alter-globalisation protest leader in 1999 before embracing climate activism. A spat on BlueSky with climate analyst and previous guest Ketan Joshi led to the suggestion to come on the show. Richard differs on the inevitability, but this is a conversation, not a shout...

Welcome back for Series 2 of Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations . Farmers may wind up making or breaking our chance to tackle climate change. In this episode Claire Brady and Richard Delevan speak with Antony Yousefian, partner at The First Thirty VC , shares his journey from finance to the forefront of climate tech and sustainable investment in the UK. Delving into the impacts of climat...

In case you missed it, here's our most popular episode of 2023 - our chat with the one and only Michael Barnard . Back in October, we talked about IEA's World Energy Outlook, COP28, Hydrogen hopium, CCUS, predatory delay, HVDC, electrification, LDES, Michael Liebreich, and MPs "with the STEM background of illiterate newts" Subscribe to our newsletter at news.wickedproblems.uk , and get new #climat...