Energy Transition Episodes

Electricity is becoming the backbone of the modern economy — powering transport, heating, industry, cooling, digital infrastructure and increasingly, AI. But as demand grows, can we really build a power system that is 100% decarbonised? In this episode of Sustainability Forward, Wrishi and Carmine explore what “100% clean electricity” actually means, and why the final stretch of decarbonisation is often the hardest. They discuss the role of wind and solar, storage, grid expansion, demand flexib...

In this episode of Sustainability Forward, we turn our attention to one of the most practical — and often underestimated — parts of the climate challenge: buildings. After previously exploring the carbon footprint of individuals, we saw that while transport dominates, the home is not far behind. And unlike transport, buildings are one area where change can happen now. To help us unpack the challenge, we are joined by Ascanio Vitale, a sustainability science expert with more than 30 years o...

In this episode of Sustainability Forward, Wrishi and Carmine explore the new logic of clean resilience. Against the backdrop of the current Middle East crisis, they examine why the implications go far beyond oil prices. The conversation looks at three connected themes: how renewables are coming into sharper focus as an energy security lever, why water resilience and desalination can no longer be separated from power-system design, and how disruptions to critical commodities such as fertiliser ...

As energy systems become more complex and data intensive, organisations face a critical challenge: how to scale reliability, throughput, and decision quality without proportionally scaling headcount. In this episode of Sustainability Forward, hosts Wrishi and Carmine explore how agentic AI represents a shift from AI as a productivity tool to AI as a trusted teammate embedded directly into operational workflows. Joined by Subodh Kumar, they discuss: Why cognitive load is the real constr...

What happens when the world doesn’t just face water scarcity — but water bankruptcy? In this episode of Sustainability Forward, we unpack a stark new warning from the United Nations: many of the world’s freshwater systems are now so over-used and degraded that they may never recover to their historical levels. We explore what “global water bankruptcy” actually means, why this framing is different from how we’ve talked about water crises before, and what the implications are for food systems, e...

We often think individual climate action is about small, visible choices — what we eat, what we recycle, or whether we switch off the lights. But do those actions really matter most? In the first episode of the new year, Wrishi Sutradhar and Carmine Fiume take a data-driven look at where personal emissions actually come from. Using concrete examples, we walk through the biggest drivers of individual climate impact: cars and mobility, flying, home energy and heating, food choices, and consumpti...

What happens when people stop waiting for the grid — and build their own energy transition instead? In this episode of Sustainability Forward, Wrishi and Carmine travel across India and Pakistan to unpack one of the most dynamic – and least understood – clean energy stories in the world. Wrishi draws on childhood memories of Indian power cuts and today’s giant solar parks to explain how India became a renewables heavyweight: ambitious national targets, ultra-cheap solar auctions, and state-lev...

How can we move the machinery of global finance fast enough to meet the urgency of the climate crisis? In this episode of Sustainability Forward, hosts Wrishi Sutradhar and Carmine Fiume sit down with Steven Rothstein, Chief Program Officer at Ceres and the founding Managing Director of the Ceres Accelerator for Sustainable Capital Markets. With over four decades of experience spanning nonprofits, government, and finance, Steven shares what it really takes to turn investor intentions into mea...

Renewables have officially overtaken coal as the world’s largest source of electricity — a historic first. But beneath that milestone lies a much more complex story. In this episode of Sustainability Forward, Wrishi and Carmine unpack BP’s Energy Outlook 2025 to reveal what’s really shaping the global energy transition. From the “two futures” of rapid clean tech expansion in Asia versus fossil resurgence in the West, to the ten key insights that define BP’s latest scenarios — including oil’s lo...

As heatwaves scorch Europe and global electricity demand surges—up 4% in 2024 alone—can artificial intelligence be part of the solution to climate change rather than the problem? In this episode of Sustainability Forward, Wrishi and Carmine explore the double-edged sword of AI’s environmental footprint. From the staggering water and energy consumption of data centers to AI-driven breakthroughs in energy efficiency, methane detection, wildfire response, and food waste reduction, this conversatio...

In this episode of Sustainability Forward , we’re joined by renowned chemist and energy expert Nicola Armaroli to unpack the state of the global energy transition. As a research director at Italy’s National Research Council and a leading voice in science communication, Nicola brings both deep technical insight and a clear-eyed perspective on the societal and narrative challenges slowing our progress. We ask: If you had gone to sleep in 2022 and woken up today—what would you see? We explore...

In this episode of Sustainability Forward, we dive into Sustainable Entrepreneurship with Josh Dorfman, founder of Plantd and Supercool, and former host of The Lazy Environmentalist. Josh shares his inspiring journey from sustainable media to climate-tech innovation, providing practical insights on creating profitable businesses that positively impact the planet. We explore carbon-negative building solutions, the power of storytelling in driving climate action, and key strategies for entrepreneu...

In this episode of Sustainability Forward, we dive into two crucial reports shaping Europe's clean energy future. First, we explore the Draghi Report by Mario Draghi, highlighting Europe's economic challenges and opportunities amidst its ambitious energy transition. Then, we unpack the "Cleantech Reality Check" from Cleantech for Europe and Systemiq, examining the stark gaps between policy goals and real-world implementation of essential clean technologies. Discover what Europe must urgently add...

In this episode of Sustainability Forward, we explore why heat pumps are rapidly replacing gas boilers and how this shift is key to reducing energy costs, cutting CO₂ emissions, and building a net-zero future. 🔎 What’s inside this episode? ✅ The real economics of switching from a gas boiler to a heat pump ✅ How Switzerland is leading Europe’s electrification of heating ✅ Overcoming consumer concerns: Do heat pumps work in cold climates? ✅ The future of Meier Tobler and the heating industry 🔥 ...

In this episode of "Sustainability Forward," hosts Wrishi and Carmine sit down with Arun Cardoza, an energy professional with three decades of international experience across the energy spectrum, including upstream oil & gas, power generation, renewables, and energy transition. Arun shares his expert insights on the current state and future of the energy transition, discussing the biggest tailwinds and headwinds the industry faces. He delves into the global north vs. global south debate, the rol...

Join Carmine and Wrishi on Sustainability Forward, a podcast dedicated to exploring the latest innovations and trends in sustainable technology. Each episode features in-depth conversations with industry leaders who are driving the future of sustainability across various sectors. In our latest episode, we welcome Paul Perera, a seasoned business leader and innovator in Military Technology, Aerospace, and start-ups. Paul shares his insights on sustainable aviation, hydrogen technology, and the ro...

In this episode of "Sustainability Forward," hosts Wrishi and Carmine sit down with Dr. James Crosby-Wrigley, Head of Sustainability for Commercial and Industrial Energy Supply and Usage at Advantage Utilities. Dr. Crosby-Wrigley, who holds a Ph.D. in Geochemistry, Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences from the University of Cambridge, brings his extensive expertise to discuss the pivotal role of distributed energy systems in achieving net-zero goals and managing energy costs. We explore: T...

In a world grappling with the urgent need for a sustainable energy transition, "Sustainability Forward" brings you a groundbreaking conversation with Roberto Bocca, Head of the Centre for Energy and Materials and Member of the Executive Committee at the World Economic Forum. This episode takes you inside the discussions from Davos 2024, shedding light on the collaborative efforts required to achieve an inclusive energy transition that supports economic growth. From the critical role of energy ef...

Dive into the pivotal journey of decoupling economic growth from carbon emissions with the latest episode of the Sustainability Forward Podcast. Explore how countries like the UK, Sweden, the EU, and regions such as North America and Asia are pioneering sustainable development without compromising their economic ambitions. Uncover the remarkable achievements of transitioning away from fossil fuels, embracing renewable energy, and implementing innovative policies. This episode is a treasure trove...

Dive into the heart of climate action with our latest episode, "Understanding Net Zero," on the Sustainability Forward Podcast. Explore the critical balance between greenhouse gas emissions and removal, and why it's vital for our planet. This episode breaks down the essence of net zero - from emissions reduction and carbon removal to the challenges and global commitments shaping our path to a sustainable future. Join us as we unravel the importance of net zero for companies and countries, highli...

Delving into the Latest World Energy Outlook from the IEA In this insightful podcast episode, Carmine and Wrishi delve into the latest World Energy Outlook (WEO) from the International Energy Agency (IEA), exploring the critical trends shaping the future of energy. Join us as we unpack the key insights from this comprehensive report, examining the evolving energy landscape and its implications for global sustainability, economic growth, and geopolitical dynamics. Key Takeaways: Uncover the IEA...

Carmine and Wrishi discuss a busy couple of weeks of climate policy changes in Europe.

Carmine and Wrishi discuss emission sources and the scale of the problem

Carmine and Wrishi discuss the biggest challenges in sustainability to develop an understanding of what lies ahead of us