Advertise on podcast: Eight Minute Climate Fix

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content How has the conversation changed, now that we're a few months into a new federal administration that has not proven very receptive to climate action? Paul attended New York Climate Week in late September with anxiety around how corporations and organizations were approaching the changing tenor of climate direction. His takeaway? Maybe things aren't as bad as they appear. In this episode, Paul dissects the key takeaways from NYCW and looks forward to COP 30 in Brazil. Climate advocacy is changing - but what does that mean for your individual company? For more research: Highlights: New York Climate Week 2025 Microsoft's Environmental Sustainability Report 2025 "Walmart not meeting 2025, 2030 emissions goals, but remains committed to sustainability: report" - ESG Dive Follow Paul on LinkedIn.

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content As Trump's signature economic legislation made it's way over the finish line two weeks ago, experts lined up to warn us of the impact the bill would have on clean energy, utility bills and even our competitiveness in the emerging AI landscape. In today's episode, Paul provides a high level analysis of the bill's primary components affecting these areas and what the impact may actually be. For more research: One Big Beautiful Bill - White House "Assessing Impacts Of “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” On U.S. Energy Costs, Jobs, Health, Emissions" - Energy Innovation Simulator "What Passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Means for US Energy and the Economy" - The Rhodium Group Follow Paul on LinkedIn.

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content The Greenhouse Gas Protocol is now in the decision phase on how to revise their widely accepted Scope 2 emissions accounting measures. The current set of accounting rules were first established in 2015 - but a lot has changed in the interim. Revisiting these rules to modernize them and promote true, physical decarbonization is important. But there are a couple of proposed changes that have generated a LOT of controversy. In this episode, Paul unpacks the impact of hourly matching and deliverability and discusses how these accounting rules may slow down corporate renewable procurement immeasurably. For more research: "The world's most used carbon accounting rule is about to get a major overhaul" - WoodMackenzie "Limitations of Hourly Matching Claims for Scope 2 Reporting" - Greenhouse Gas Management Institute "Electricity System and Market Impacts of Time-based Attribute Trading and 24/7 Carbon-free Electricity Procurement" - Qingyu Xi and Jesse Jenkins, Princeton University Follow Paul on LinkedIn.

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content States have shifted to the forefront of climate leadership here in the US. And one of the tools that many of these States are employing to make it easier and less risky for individuals and companies to invest behind energy savings has been the Green Bank, a financial institution designed to overcome some of the barriers to financing climate action. Massachusetts set up their Green Bank in a novel way, though. They embedded the institution inside of MassHousing and gave it the dual mandate to address not only climate change, but the challenge of affordable housing as well. So, how are they doing? Paul sits with Maggie Super Church of the Massachusetts Community Climate Bank to understand more about how the entity is delivering on its promise to save energy and costs for Massachusetts homeowners. For more research: Maggie Super Church Massachusetts Community Climate Bank All In Energy Cape Light Compact Center for ECO Technology MA Energy Savings Finder Abode Energy Management Follow Paul on LinkedIn.

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Pending regulations are reshaping the sustainability reporting world, with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) starting to require European companies to report this year. Underpinning these reporting disclosures is something called a Double Materiality Assessment (DBA). In this episode, Paul digs into what is included in a DBA, how it differs from a company's current non-financial disclosures, and what companies should be doing to prepare for these reporting requirements. Even US based companies who may have to start reporting as soon as 2028. For more research: Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) - European Commission Follow Paul on LinkedIn.

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Over this past weekend, the Trump Administration followed through on a campaign promise to issue tariffs on key trade partners of the US. Canada, Mexico and China all found themselves in the new administration's crosshairs. In this episode, Paul discusses some of the reasons why these tariffs are going to affect both the fossil AND clean energy industries. And why Canada and Mexico quickly reached a negotiated bargain with the US while China looks to be digging in for a prolonged trade war. For more research: "Trump tariffs seen stirring up commodity and energy sectors" - Reuters "Trump Tariffs Spark Fears of Clean Energy Supply Chain Chaos" - SciAm "Analysis: The potential economic effects of Trump’s tariffs and trade war, in 9 charts" - PBS Follow Paul on LinkedIn.

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Many large municipalities are using a combination of sensors, data management and analytical tools to dynamically manage the flow of people and cars within their borders. These Smart Cities are helping to not only improve the quality of life of residents - but are cutting down on vehicle idle time, greenhouse gas emissions, and other environmental issues. In this episode, Paul provides some examples of how cities around the world are utilizing smart, digital technology to improve their operations - and he discusses some of the lessons learned in rolling these tools out to the general public. Follow Paul on LinkedIn.

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content As more corporations are using Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) or Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (VPPAs) to procure renewable energy, these contracts are exposing companies to the risks and variabilities of the wholesale power market. In this episode, Paul zeroes in on how the pricing of power in wholesale markets works so that we can start to understand, and manage, those risks. Follow Paul on LinkedIn.

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Paul wraps up 2024 with an episode looking back on the major trends and news stories from this past year. From good news stories such as the retirement of the UK's last coal facility to hard news such as the realization that we may have already passed our global 1.5 degree temperature target. In any regard, review with us the progress that we've made over these past 12 months and set an ambition for what 2025 is going to look like! Follow Paul on LinkedIn.

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content As the holiday season descends upon us, the importance of sustainable packaging is never more important. In this episode, Paul discusses not only some of the ways that prominent companies are addressing how their are packaging and shipping their products - but also some of the prominent instances where regulators have cracked down on companies falsely claiming environmental benefits. Packaging is an important part of a sustainable, circular economy. For more research: "Sustainability Trends - Quarterly Outlook: October 2024" - ERM "A Guide to Sustainable Packaging Solutions" - Green Business Benchmark "Definition of Sustainable Packaging" - Sustainable Packaging Coalition "Why we need out-of-the-box thinking on sustainable packaging" - PA Consulting "Top 4 Sustainable Packaging Trends in 2025" - Lythouse Follow Paul on LinkedIn.

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Since the 1990's, electricity demand has remained relatively flat despite the economic growth of the country. But as increased electrification and demand for new data centers intensifies, that demand for new power is changing. Utilities are having to adapt to market conditions that demand faster, more flexible additions of power capacity to the grid. But changing existing utility processes and models is tougher than it looks. In this episode, Paul discusses how utilities may be underestimating the load growth in their areas, and the implications that this bottleneck may have on climate action and the energy transition. For more research: "Reality Check: Electricity Load Growth Does Not Have to Undermine Climate Goals" - RMI "What’s the State of Utility Planning Halfway through 2024?" - RMI "US utilities to face significant challenge as power demand surges for the first time in decades" - Wood Mackenzie "Gridlock: the demand dilemma facing the US power industry" - Wood Mackenzie Follow Paul on LinkedIn.

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content Lithium Ion batteries are the backbone of the EV revolution. And car manufacturers are constantly seeking new ways to remove cost and improve the range of these battery packs. Part of their solution has been to tweak the chemistry of these batteries - but added value in one area sometimes necessitates a trade off in another. In this episode, Paul discusses the changing chemistry of lithium ion batteries in the EV market, the impact that this has on the economics of vehicles, and how consumers should be thinking about battery composition when considering their next EV purchase. For more research: "Exploring the Different Types of Lithium-Ion Batteries Used in Electric Vehicles" - Ioncore Technology "Charted: Lithium-Ion Batteries Keep Getting Cheaper" - Visual Capitalist "Battery cell prices fall to record low in September, says report" - Reuters "A new generation of cheaper batteries is sweeping the EV industry" - Canary Media Follow Paul on LinkedIn.

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content With millions of miles of gas distribution pipelines under our feet, the transition away from gas and toward electrification needs to account for that existing infrastructure somehow. And that comes with risks, not only to gas distribution companies but to their customers as well. Understanding, anticipating and managing these risks is a vital part of a safe, equitable transition. To discuss this topic, Paul is joined by Jan Rosenow of Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP). They really dig into what is needed to decommission an entire industry. For the full interview with Jan, visit our sister podcast, More Than Eight Minutes. For further research: Jan Rosenow Regulatory Assistance Project "The elephant in the room: How do we regulate gas transportation infrastructure as gas demand declines?" - Rosenow, Lowes & Kemfert "Planning and regulating Europe’s gas networks: breaking up with fossil gas" - Regulatory Assistance Project Follow Paul on LinkedIn.

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content In this episode, Paul steps back from the individual technologies and business processes that are driving the energy transition, and looks at the interconnected systems that need to be reimagined as well. For some systems, this may be intuitive, such as in the need to develop the ecosystem of supporting infrastructure for EVs. But other interconnected, dependent systems are more nuanced and reflect the challenges policy makers, utilities, and regulators have to manage a transition that is occurring at a different pace and scale across industries and across the globe. Follow Paul on LinkedIn.

Let us know how we're doing - text us feedback or thoughts on episode content As the world launches into COP29 in Azerbaijan, this week, it may be useful for us to review some of the sustainability metrics that the world has agreed to as a foundation for peace, prosperity - and a world devoid of climate change. There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (or SDGs) in total, though not all of them deal with climate. The ones that do, though, provide us a bit of a report card on how we're doing, as a globe, in combating climate change. In this episode, Paul explains a bit more as to what these SDGs represent - and highlights some of the findings from the UN's latest report card. For further research: "The 17 Goals" - United Nations "2024 Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals" - United Nations Follow Paul on LinkedIn.