Episodes

Last but not least, our concluding episode of 2020 is with James Cameron. No not the director, but he is doing radical things in a suit (this will make more sense once you press play). Find out why Tom Paine was an important inspiration for his career, what the WTO needs to do to progress and trade in post-Brexit UK. BioJames Cameron is a barrister, independent adviser and social entrepreneur, and a recognised leader of the global climate change community. He is an expert on sustainability and trade policy – and as you can imagine he’s very much in demand in Britain right now, not only with the post-Brexit negotiations, but also since he was appointed as a ‘Friend of the COP’ for COP26, advising the Presidency. James is a senior advisor for Pollination, a climate change advisory and investment firm, as well as System IQ, Tulchan Communications and AVAIA Capital. He also sits on the Advisory Board for Heathrow 2.0 and is a London Sustainable Development Commissioner. James was a…

What is the future of urban transportation in the world’s cities? Will autonomous cars revolutionize our lives? Meet the woman behind the world’s largest car sharing company, Robin Chase, the transport entrepreneur. She is the co-founder of Zipcar, Veniam and now, co-founder of NUMO. She is also a public speaker, author and entrepreneur seeking to change the landscape of mobility on a global level. Bio/Introduction Robin Chase is a transport entrepreneur. She has co-founded Zipcar, Veniam and NUMO. She is also the author of the book ‘Peers Inc: How People and Platforms are Inventing the Collaborative Economy and Reinventing Capitalism’ about how technology has paved the way for a new collaborative economy in which companies are able to help solve large scale social problems. Her current occupation is working with cities to maximize the benefits mass rollout of self-driving cars and low-cost electric bikes can bring. She sits on the Boards of the World Resources Institute and Tu…

What happens behind the scenes of the EU Parliament? One of the leading figures in European politics, Claude Turmes, the Minister for Energy and Minister for Spatial Planning in Luxembourg, joins Michael Liebreich for episode 21. As a member of the European Green Party and a former Member of the European Parliament for 19 years, Claude has extensive experience representing the parliament in international climate change conferences. Bio/IntroductionClaude Turmes has been the rapporteur of a large number of European directives, in particular on renewable energies, energy efficiency, the electricity market and climate plans, as well as on the European lobby register. He was the rapporteur on the EU Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28. From 2004 to 2018, he was the chairman of EUFORES (European Forum for Renewable Energy Sources), the Inter-parliamentary association for the promotion of renewable energies in Europe. Moreover, He represented the Parliament at the 2008 United Nations Clim…

As a 10 year old girl, Richenda Van Leeuwen saw a solar panel at the Centre of Alternative Technology on a rainy day in Wales. This would serve as her first point of inspiration for the career ahead of her. Now, she is the Executive Director of Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs. In the 20th episode of Cleaning Up, Michael and Richenda cover gender balance in the energy sector, the crucial role electricity access plays in providing healthcare in the Global South as well as ways to ensure that local economies are the beneficiaries of growth in emerging markets. BioRichenda joined the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) as Executive Director after serving as Managing Director for Empowering Clean Economies at the Rocky Mountain Institute, and previously chairing the International Institutions at the Global LPG Partnership where she led work on clean cooking energy solutions in developing economies. She was also a member of the World Bank’s Energy Program’s (ESM…

From CEO of Z Energy to founding the Climate Leaders Coalition, Mike Bennetts has had an immense impact on New Zealand’s position in reducing emissions in the country. Mike and Michael sit down from other sides of the world for the 19th episode of Cleaning Up.Mike Bennetts is presently the founding Chief Executive of Z Energy Ltd, the company that purchased the downstream (refining and marketing) business of Shell in New Zealand in April 2010 and Chevron in June 2016. As a result of an IPO in August 2013, Z is now dual listed on the ASX and NZX and ranks in the NZX10.He has accumulated 35 years of experience in the global energy industry with his expertise in supply, trading and marketing businesses covering both consumer and business to business segments. In 1983 he joined BP in New Zealand with his early roles being based in sales, marketing, information technology and finance. From 1992 to 2008 he served in various senior leadership roles in South Africa, China, Singapore and t…

How can venture capital be used to promote social change and environmental improvement? As a leading venture capitalist of her time and one of the early investors in Tesla, find out the drive behind Nancy Pfund’s incredible career, this week, on Cleaning Up. Nancy E. Pfund is Founder and Managing Partner of DBL Partners, a venture capital firm whose goal is to combine top-tier financial returns with meaningful social, environmental, and economic returns in the regions and sectors in which it invests. Nancy is also the Founder of DBL Investors. Ms. Pfund currently sponsors or sits on the board of directors of several companies, including; Farmers Business Network, The Muse, Advanced Microgrid Solutions, Off-Grid Electric, Primus Power, and, prior to their public offerings, Tesla Motors and Pandora. She also served on the board of SolarCity from 2008 until its acquisition by Tesla in December 2016, on both the audit and compensation committees, and chairing its corporate govern…

What would Professor Ernest Moniz, 13th United States Secretary of Energy, say to the 16th Secretary who will be appointed in the coming months?Would he, as the architect of the JCPOA (known better as the Iran nuclear deal) agree with Donald Trump that it was “the worst deal ever negotiated? (Spoiler alert: no).What does he consider to be the most interesting innovations in the energy space?Listen to the special, 17th episode of Cleaning Up to find out! Bio/introductionWhile the US election votes are being counted, Ernie Moniz and Michael Liebreich sit down for Cleaning Up’s 17th episode. Ernie Moniz served as the U.S. Secretary Energy during President Barack Obama’s second term. He was the architect of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (known better as the Iran nuclear deal). In addition to that he played a key role in negotiating the Paris Agreement and founding Mission Innovation at COP21. Currently he is the CEO of Energy Futures Initiative, a Washington based…

How did Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella impact the Sustainable Development Goals? How has he influenced energy's position in development? Dr Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella – known as KKY in his native Sierra Leone - is a senior academic and politician. He joins Michael Liebreich this week to talk about his journey from being the Director-General at UNIDO to his political career in Sierra Leone.He is parliamentary leader of Sierra Leone’s National Grand Coalition and an MP representing Constituency 062 in Kambia District, where he was born. He is founder and CEO of The Energy Nexus Network (TENN), a regional ecosystem hub for sustainable energy solutions.Dr Yumkella was Minister for Trade and Industry of Sierra Leone from 1994-1995. He joined the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation in 1996, rising through the ranks and serving two four-year terms as Director General between 2005 and 2013. It was during this time that Dr Yumkella came to understand the vital role of energy access in …

How can we use data modelling to predict the future of zero-emission energy? This week, Auke Hoekstra discusses the SparkCity model, dealing with, adoption of electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and the effects the switch to EVs is going to have on the grid.Auke joins Michael for this week's episode from his self-designed energy positive house in the Netherlands. Not only is he a researcher at the Eindhoven University of Technology but also the founder of Zenmo simulations and initiated NEON a research programme focusing on transport and sustainability.Auke debunks a few myths as well: electric cars do not emit more CO2 than ICE vehicles and trucks are actually electrifiable. They also discuss how the EIA’s and the IEA’s forecasts on solar cost and penetration have aged (spoiler: not well).

How much energy are data centres using worldwide? Why have lamps been a massive infrastructure revolution? From food waste in olive production in Spain to air pollution, Michael welcomes Jonathan Maxwell into his home for Cleaning Up’s 14th episode!Jonathan Maxwell is the CEO of Sustainable Development Capital (SDCL), an investment firm that set up the UK’s first listed investment trust investing exclusively in energy efficiency - Sustainable Energy Efficiency Income Trust (SEEIT). Jonathan chairs the Trust’s Investment Committee.Jonathan has over two decades of experience in the financial sector – he spent early days of his career at HSBC Infrastructure and led the IPO process of HICL Infrastructure Company (formerly HSBC Infrastructure Company) – one of the biggest infrastructure funds listed on the London Stock Exchange.In 2007 he founded Sustainable Development Capital (SDCL), a boutique investment firm specializing in clean energy, energy efficiency and decentralised energ…

How to estimate amount of oil produced in Syria by Daesh using satellite photos of night time lights? How, using the same technique, can we measure reliability of access to energy? How to provide reliable and affordable energy for all? And when will we be digging cobalt on Mars? Our Episode 13 guest, Morgan Bazilian, covers it all! Bio:Morgan Bazilian is the Director of the Payne Institute at the Colorado School of Mines, where he is also a Professor of public policy. Previously, he was lead energy specialist at the World Bank. He has over two decades of experience in the energy sector and is regarded as a leading expert in international affairs, policy and investment. He is a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations.Morgan has written over 140 papers – in publications ranging from Nature to Foreign Affairs. Not to mention his book “Analytical Methods for Energy Diversity and Security” is a part of quite a few syllabi.Morgan Bazilian with over two decades of experience in th…

How did Ramez Naam spot the exponential cost trends in renewables? How should we tailor our messaging to convince different audiences we need to act on climate change? Why are forecasters so often wrong?Ramez Naam, our Ep12 guest talks about all of the above and much more!Not many people manage to write critically acclaimed science-fiction series and equally appreciated non-fiction books. Even smaller subset happens to also be energy analysts and investors. And there’s only one who, in addition, holds several patents, some co-authored with Bill Gates. Ramez Naam is, by all measures, a rare type of person.Originally from Cairo, Egypt he moved to the US at the age of 3. He studied computer science nad started his career with Microsoft, where he worked on the company’s flagship projects – including Outlook. After 13 years, he switched to the energy sector and was one of the first to spot the exponential cost trends in renewables. In his 2011 piece ‘Smaller, Cheaper, Faster’ he not…

How to get members of bands such as Queen, Pink Floyd, Rush, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple together to help a country devastated by an earthquake? How helpful can celebrities be in the clean energy transition? Do we fully recognize the role business plays in solving environmental problems? Jon Dee, leading Australian figure in sustainability and environment answers all of the above! Jon Dee’s website describes him as a “social entrepreneur, broadcaster and philanthropist”. If you download his bio, you’ll find it’s a 35MB power-point presentation. Jon has founded four major charities: Rock Aid Armenia (1988), Planet Ark (1992), DoSomething (2008), and One Tree Per Child (2015). Between 2015 and 2018 he hosted 115 episodes of Smart Money on Sky News Australia, showcasing stories of businesses using sustainability, efficiency and innovation to improve their bottom line. Since 2017, Jon has been appearing weekly on ABC Radio Australia highlighting good news about the environment and sustaina…

What does Brexit mean for the climate transition? What will COPs 30 to 50 be about (and why is it trade?)What should environmentalists do instead of giving somebody who's got a pile of problems another one to deal with?Do we need a revolution to save the planet or will reform do?Angela Francis answers all of the above!Angela Francis is Chief Advisor, Economics and Economic Development at WWF, where she provides economic advice across the climate, food and nature programmes as well as leading on trade and industrial policy for a green transition. She started as an accountant in the energy industry before moving into economic development, where she has spent the last 18 years. She led on economics and strategy for the East of England Development Agency and worked on productivity, innovation, and low carbon growth in the UK and Europe for SQW Consulting. She was Regional Economist and Climate Attaché for the FCO in the Caribbean before returning to the UK five years ago to be Ch…

How does one come up with a brand new clean energy business model? Why if energy transition is the 'biggest wealth creation opportunity of our lifetimes' many have been slow to get on board? What went wrong in California with rolling blackouts and why Jigar Shah believes it has to do with the sunny state being a nanny state?Jigar Shah is one of the few people that have actually invented a whole new clean energy business model. In 2003 he founded Sun Edison which allowed people to get solar panels on their roofs on ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis, instead of paying upfront. In 2009 he became the first CEO of Carbon War Room – a ‘global non-profit commitment to supporting global entrepreneurs scale their climate solutions’ founded by Richard Branson. His time at Carbon War Room inspired him to write a book called ‘Creating Climate Wealth: Unlocking the Impact Economy’.In 2014 Jigar co-founded Generate Capital and has been running it ever since, investing in climate energy projects and oppor…

What does a futurist do? Does it include dealing with jetpacks? Or is it more about helping organisations to become more resilient? Cool as jetpacks might be, our Episode 8 guest, Roger Dennis covers no less interesting topics: how he helped to prepare New Zealand’s businesses and health care system for the pandemic and why we should be collecting as much real-time data about cities as possible.Bio:Roger Dennis’s website says that “[he] consults on the continuum between future thinking, strategy and innovation to introduce opportunities to organisations to create advantage.”Roger has worked with leading organisations like Shell, the Singapore PM’s office, Fonterra (New Zealand’s diary industry cooperative), one of New Zealand’s largest health providers and Z Energy, the country’s leading fuel retailer.In 2010 he returned to Christchurch, New Zealand, to enjoy a quiet life, away from the risks and hassles of the big city – just few months before the catastrophic earthquake which …

According to Wikipedia, Bertrand Piccard is a Swiss psychiatrist and balloonist. This is something of an understatement. Bertrand did indeed qualify as a psychiatrist from the University of Lausanne. But he is best-known as an explorer, aviator and communicator. Bertrand comes from a family of explorers – grandfather Auguste invented the pressurised balloon capsule was the first man to witness the curvature of the earth with his own eyes, setting the world altitude record 16,201 meters in 1932. His father, Jacques Piccard, designed became the first man to dive 10,916 metres in a submarine to the bottom of the Marianas Trench, and also did a month-long, 3,000 km drift dive in the Gulf Stream.Bertrand made the first non-stop round-the-world balloon flight in 1999, together with co-pilot Brian Jones. He then made the first round-the-world flight in an electric plane in 2015 and 2016, sharing flight segments with André Borschberg.He now runs the Solar Impulse Foundation and the World…

What does it take to turn a demoralised organisation around? How to convince 195 states to sign up to the Paris agreement? What does Christiana Figueres have to say about RCP8.5 and those still believing there will be no energy transition? Find out in Episode 6 of Cleaning Up. Christiana Figueres was appointed Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in July 2010, six months after the failed COP15 in Copenhagen. During the next six years she worked to rebuild the global climate change negotiating process, leading to the 2015 Paris Agreement, widely recognized as a historical achievement. Christiana comes from the most prominent diplomatic/political family in Costa Rica. Her father, José Figueres Ferrer, was President of Costa Rica three times; her mother was an Ambassador and member of the Legislative Assembly; and her older brother José Figueres Olsen, was also President of Costa Rica. She is also a fellow podcaster: make sure to follow Ou…

What role (if any) should nuclear play in a low carbon future? Should we build more large-scale light-water reactors despite high costs? Is nuclear safe? Kirsty Gogan, a leading voice on nuclear power answers all of the above.In addition to being an authority on nuclear, Kirsty is an award-winning expert on science communication, climate change, and competitiveness.She is managing partner of LucidCatalyst, a specialized consultancy, recently commissioned by the Energy Technologies Institute to produce their Nuclear Cost Drivers Study, and by ARPA-E (the US agency charged with accelerating next-generation energy technologies) to conduct a study on Cost and Performance Requirements for Flexible Advanced Nuclear Plants in Future U.S. Power Markets.Kirsty chairs the UK Government’s Nuclear Innovation Research and Advisory Board (NIRAB) Cost Reduction Working Group. In 2019, NIRAB recommended investment of USD1.3 billion between 2021 and 2025 to boost the progress of innovation…

How much is being invested in climate action around the world? Where and in which sectors are the investments concentrated? How much is needed to get us on track for net zero? If it wasn’t for our Episode 4 guest, Barbara Buchner, it would be impossible to answer these questions. Barbara Buchner is Global Managing Director of Climate Policy Initiative which publishes the hugely influential annual Global Landscape for Climate Finance and runs the Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance which has helped mobilize over 2 billion US dollars for sustainable development in developing countries over the past seven years. In 2014 the International Council for Science named Barbara one of the 20 most influential women in climate change and one of the 100 most influential people in climate policy. She is also the lead author on CPI’s Global Landscape of Climate Finance. Barbara built and directs the San Giorgio Group, which brings together key financial institutions actively engaged in green…

Why human skills matter in an intensely more technological world? Are we going to return to our offices when the pandemic is over, or is remote work the new normal?Will office space become a service? In Episode 3 of Cleaning Up Antony Slumbers, software technology strategist, commercial real estate expert and an art historian answers all of these questions.Why human skills matter in an intensely more technological world? Are we going to return to our offices when the pandemic is over, or is remote work the new normal? Will office space become a service? In Episode 3 of Cleaning Up Antony Slumbers, software technology strategist, commercial real estate expert and an art historian answers all of these questions.Antony has 25 years of experience as a software technology strategist and commercial real estate expert, real expert on PropTech, and #SpaceAsAService.Antony and Michael first met on Twitter, and found they were doing a lot of the same things in terms of speaking and advi…

What is stopping us from providing affordable and reliable energy for all? What is the role of graduate education in addressing the racial inequalities still so manifest in the US? What does leadershi...Rachel Kyte CMG is the 14th Dean of The Fletcher School at Tufts University, and the first woman to lead the oldest graduate school of international affairs in the United States, where she took her Global Master of Arts in 2002. Prior to joining Fletcher, Rachel was Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and CEO of Sustainable Energy for All. Before that, Rachel was World Bank Group vice president and special envoy for climate change, leading the Bank Group’s efforts to refocus its operations towards supporting a sustainable global economy and campaigning for the passage of the Paris Agreement. Earlier still, she was a Vice President at the International Finance Corporation. Rachel was born in the East of England and took her first degree at the University of …

What makes a green stimulus? What might a better metric for economic performance than GDP look like? Who is the faster cyclist, Michael Liebreich or Cameron Hepburn, Dean of the Smith School at Oxford? Don’t miss the very first episode of Cleaning Up!