Best Columbia University Center on Global Energy Policy Podcasts (2025)

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What happened at COP30? The key points on cutting emissions, adapting to a warming world, and raising the finance to pay for it 56:45

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6d ago56:45

56:45

The COP30 climate talks in Belem wrapped up over the weekend, and reactions to the outcome were sharply divided. Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, said “climate cooperation is still alive…we’re undeniably still in it and we are fighting back.” Others said the COP had been another failure, with a final statement that amounted to “a fo…

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What happened in COP30’s first week? Support for energy efficiency and a status report on methane show which climate initiatives are still making progress 52:49

12d ago52:49

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Negotiations in the COP 30 climate talks are continuing in Belem, Brazil. The headlines are focusing on the divisions between countries that are shaping this year’s climate talks. But despite the doom and gloom, there are some practical steps being taken to support the transition towards lower-carbon energy. There may be a notable lack of significa…

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The COP30 climate talks are under way In Brazil. What is the point of the conference? 48:13

19d ago48:13

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COP30, which began this week in Belém, Brazil, marks a decade since the Paris Agreement was adopted at COP21 in 2015. It’s being billed as the “implementation COP”: instead of grand new announcements of international agreements, governments are supposed to be focused on delivering on the commitments they have already made. Host Ed Crooks and regula…

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How are businesses rethinking energy and sustainability? COP30 starts in Belem as climate action falters 31:01

20d ago31:01

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COP30, now getting under way in Belem, Brazil, has been billed as “the implementation COP”, which means a focus on governments taking real steps to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. We will be examining all the key issues for government negotiators in the talks very soon. But for this show, we are looking at the role of business. At New Yor…

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Energy addition, not energy transition? What does it mean for the future of our energy system, and the climate? | Special episode recorded at ADIPEC, the world’s largest energy event 45:16

24d ago45:16

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As world leaders, businesses and NGOs start their journeys to Brazil for the COP30 climate talks, more than 200,000 people attended ADIPEC in Abu Dhabi, the world’s biggest energy event. Energy Gang was there to bring you the highlights from the week’s discussions. One of the key talking points was the theme of energy addition, rather than transiti…

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Speed to power: how can America accelerate the build-out of the next grid? | special episode from the ACORE Grid Forum in Washington DC 1:01:19

27d ago1:01:19

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Electricity demand in the US is rising faster than it has in decades, driven by AI and a wave of investment in domestic manufacturing. But with transmission lines and other electricity infrastructure taking years to permit and build, how can America secure the power it needs fast enough to remain competitive? In this special episode of The Energy G…

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AI could break the electricity grid. What do regulators and the industry need to do to keep the lights on? 59:47

1M ago59:47

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What happens when the surge in electricity demand comes faster than we can build the infrastructure to support it? Live in front of an audience at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, host Ed Crooks leads a conversation on the future of the US energy grid, skyrocketing load from data centers and electrification, and why politics keeps gett…

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How energy diversification can drive development | Special pre-ADIPEC preview episode 28:01

1M ago28:01

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As global energy systems evolve, emerging economies face a defining challenge: how to secure affordable power for today while investing in the low-carbon solutions that will drive tomorrow’s growth. Can energy diversification unlock a new era of industrial development, resilience, and inclusive prosperity? In the third and final episode of our spec…

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Permitting reform and the politics of building the grid | Live from the ACORE Grid Forum in Washington, D.C. 47:28

1M ago47:28

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Everyone agrees it takes too long and costs too much to build energy infrastructure in America, but what exactly needs fixing, and can we make progress without rolling back vital environmental protections? In this special episode of Energy Gang, recorded live at the ACORE Grid Forum in Washington D.C., host Ed Crooks takes a deep dive into one of t…

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The new nuclear renaissance - real or rhetoric? | Special pre-ADIPEC preview episode 38:07

1M ago38:07

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Nuclear power is back at the centre of the global energy conversation again. Is a real renaissance in the industry under way? Or are we just in another moment of excitement before familiar challenges emerge and the hype cycle turns down again? In the second of three special episodes ahead of ADIPEC 2025, host Ed Crooks speaks with Dr Sama Bilbao y …

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The connected world of energy | Special episode from Wood Mackenzie 44:05

2M ago44:05

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Host Ed Crooks talks to Jason Liu, Chief Executive of Wood Mackenzie and co-author (with Chief Analyst Simon Flowers) of a new book, Connected, about the fast-changing world of energy. They are also joined by Sunaina Ocalan, formerly Senior Director for Corporate Strategy & Climate at the oil and gas company Hess, now Senior Analyst and Co-Head for…

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Does low-carbon hydrogen still have a future? | Special pre-ADIPEC preview episode 39:50

2M ago39:50

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Low-carbon hydrogen has taken a few knocks in the headlines lately. There have been cancelled projects and fewer splashy announcements. Policy support has been jittery. Is momentum fading, or are we simply moving out of the hype phase and into the serious work of delivery? Host Ed Crooks puts that question to two industry leaders who are aiming to …

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How can the grid help AI, and how can AI help the grid? Live from NYU at New York Climate Week, featuring leaders from Nvidia and Amazon | Energy Gang Live from Climate Week 1:08:25

2M ago1:08:25

1:08:25

Recorded in front of a packed room at NYU’s Kimmel Center during Climate Week NYC, Ed Crooks and Amy Myers Jaffe moderate a debate on the high-stakes topic of AI and energy. They dig deep into the questions raised by the surge of investment in data centers: what it means for grid stability and electricity bills, and how new technologies and market …

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What do China’s climate commitments mean for energy? 50:41

2M ago50:41

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For COP30, the international climate talks in Brazil in November, the countries of the world are supposed to roll out their new Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs: their commitments to cut emissions. China’s NDC is particularly eagerly awaited: it is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases. Its NDC has been described as the most im…

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Everyone is talking (again!) about a coming revival in nuclear power. What needs to change to make it happen? | More from New York Climate Week 47:50

2M ago47:50

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At Climate Week NYC continues, the hottest topic is the question of how to meet growing demand for electricity while cutting emissions. In New York State, electricity use is expected to increase by 25% over the next 15 years. To meet that demand, the state plans to add tens of gigawatts or renewables. But that is not enough. It also wants more “dis…

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As the pressure for climate action fades, what is driving investment in clean energy? | The big talking points from New York Climate Week 36:03

2M ago36:03

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It’s New York Climate Week this week, and we’re bringing you highlights from all the key debates and discussions. Climate Week NYC is one of the most important gatherings in the energy calendar, bringing together business leaders, investors, scientists, campaigners and policymakers to discuss the global effort to prevent catastrophic global warming…

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Carbon capture could be an important tool for tackling climate change. Can we find productive ways to use that carbon? 42:58

2M ago42:58

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As fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, there is renewed interest in what can be done to capture carbon dioxide. Until now, most of the investment in carbon capture has gone into projects to take those emissions and store them underground forever. But what if we could make use of that captured carbon? To find out what role…

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Data centers for AI will need to embrace flexibility if our electricity system is going to cope. How can large loads support the grid? 50:43

3M ago50:43

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AI is adding to US electricity consumption at a pace not seen in decades. That demand growth is creating new strains on the grid in many parts of the country. But what if AI could instead help keep the system running? Varun Sivaram is a founder & CEO of Emerald AI and a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. He says that far from underm…

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What will the COP30 climate talks mean for energy? 49:58

3M ago49:58

49:58

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Petrostates, electrostates, and the energy transition. Gerard Reid of the Redefining Energy podcast visits the Energy Gang 1:03:57

3M ago1:03:57

1:03:57

Is the global transition to low-carbon energy accelerating or slowing down? One answer is that it depends where you look. In the US, energy policy has shifted away from support for low-carbon technologies, but China is continuing with record installations of solar, wind, and batteries, and record sales of EVs. With AI emerging as the central arena …

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Planning the grid to meet future energy demand | A discussion on the future of the grid, AI, energy innovation, and delivering the electricity supply we will need in the coming decades 1:11:07

4M ago1:11:07

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The grid “is designed for the core components - supplying electricity - but we are definitely pushing it to its limits,” says Melissa Lott, Partner for energy technologies at Microsoft*. The electricity grid has been described as one of the greatest achievements of human civilisation, because of its complexity, scale, and essential role in our soci…

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What will energy look like 5 years after the 'Big Beautiful Bill?' The Energy Gang report from 2030. 1:14:57

4M ago1:14:57

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In this episode, we take a trip in a time machine, five years into the future. 2030 has been set as a deadline for many climate goals, and is a milestone for checking progress towards a low-carbon energy system. Ed Crooks, Amy Myers Jaffe and Melissa Lott imagine themselves five years from now, and look back at how the US energy industry has change…

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Inside the ‘crazy grid’: why the future of energy needs everything, everywhere, all at once 1:12:37

5M ago1:12:37

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Building out the electricity grid was traditionally a predictable and straightforward business. Now it’s like trying to land a jet on a moving aircraft carrier in the dark. That’s a quote from this week’s guest Quinn Nakayama. He’s the senior director of Grid Research and Innovation at Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). He joins host Ed Crooks and regu…

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The Big Beautiful Bill is close to passing. What would it mean for clean energy in the US? 1:09:38

5M ago1:09:38

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This week the US budget reconciliation legislation, dubbed the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’, squeaked through the Senate on a 51/50 vote. The bill has wide-ranging implications for energy in the US, including an imminent end to tax credits for wind and solar power. To discuss what the new legislation means, host Ed Crooks is joined by regular guest Amy…

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EBOS: the unsung hero that’s accelerating clean energy deployment | How Shoals is improving utility-scale solar performance 27:16

5M ago27:16

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Sponsored content from Shoals Technologies Group. EBOS – electrical balance of systems – includes everything that carries electricity from solar panels to the grid: wiring, switches, connector boxes and other components. It might not grab headlines, but it’s the backbone of every solar and storage project, and is essential to performance, reliabili…

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How do we adapt to a warming world? 1:06:10

6M ago1:06:10

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The world is experiencing a new reality: infrastructure, agriculture, and supply chains were built for a historical climate that no longer exists. Last year the average global surface temperature was about 1.47° C warmer than in the late 19th century, according to NASA. On current trends we are on course for perhaps 2.7° C of warming by the end of …

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Geothermal, dealmaking, and the future of clean energy finance | live from the ACORE Finance Forum in New York 1:11:40

6M ago1:11:40

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In the third and final special episode recorded live from the ACORE Finance Forum, host Ed Crooks and regular guest Amy Myers Jaffe talk to industry leaders to explore some key issues in renewable energy technology and finance. Amy starts the episode by speaking with David Ulrey, CFO of Fervo Energy, an innovative geothermal startup. David shares i…

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Energy and the ‘big beautiful bill’ | live from day 2 of the ACORE Finance Forum in New York 1:14:44

6M ago1:14:44

1:14:44

As the US races against China to develop the most advanced capabilities in AI, energy is critical. In this second episode from the ACORE finance forum, we speak to experts about how US energy policy, and in particular the reconciliation bill now being debated in Congress, might affect that race. Host Ed Crooks and regular guest Amy Myers Jaffe talk…

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Clean energy finance in uncertain times | live from day 1 of the ACORE Finance Forum in New York 59:00

6M ago59:00

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The Energy Gang are at The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) Finance Forum in New York City, which brings together industry leaders, investors, and bankers to discuss the hottest issues in clean energy. Host Ed Crooks and regular guest Amy Myers Jaffe talk to ACORE Chief Executive and President Ray Long about the uncertainty hanging over…

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It’s looking bleak for clean energy in the US as Congress threatens to shred the Inflation Reduction Act 1:15:13

7M ago1:15:13

1:15:13

Legislation with massive implications for clean energy in the US has been making progress in Congress. The Republican party’s “big beautiful bill”, introducing sweeping changes to taxes and government spending, would phase out most of the tax credits for low-carbon energy that were created, expanded or extended in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) …

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Can we add dozens of giant new data centers to the electricity grid? New research says yes – if we embrace load flexibility. 1:02:57

7M ago1:02:57

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It’s the most talked-about academic paper this year in the world of energy. Rethinking Load Growth, co-authored by Tyler Norris of Duke University has caused a stir in energy circles because it offers a new perspective on the hottest issue of the moment: how to provide power for new data centers and other large consumers. With new sources of electr…

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An energy podcast crossover: Energy Gang and Interchange Recharged join forces to discuss flexibility on the power grid: why it is so important, and how to create it 39:29

7M ago39:29

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They called the film Avengers: Infinity War the most ambitious crossover event in history. We can’t quite make the same claim, but at Wood Mackenzie’s 2025 Solar and Energy Storage Summit, we did record a crossover episode. Ed Crooks, host of Energy Gang, is joined by Sylvia Leyva Martinez, Wood Mackenz’s principal analyst for solar power and host …

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What do the tariff wars mean for low-carbon energy? | Recorded live at Wood Mackenzie’s Solar & Energy Storage Summit 30:13

7M ago30:13

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“With great uncertainty comes great opportunity”, says Abby Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, in this special episode of the Energy Gang, recorded live at Wood Mackenzie’s Solar & Energy Storage Summit. Is she right? And what are those opportunities? To find out, host Ed Crooks welcomed Abby and Shyam Sriniv…

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Keeping cleantech investment alive | With technological, economic and policy challenges mounting, how can we keep energy innovation on track? 53:10

8M ago53:10

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These are hard times for investment in low-carbon energy. The lack of progress in international climate negotiations, threats to policy support, and an increased awareness of the challenges of decarbonization, have created some strong headwinds. Everyone agrees that more breakthroughs in innovative emissions-reducing technologies are essential for …

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How can the power industry meet the challenge of rising demand? | In a special live episode recorded at the American Clean Power association, we discuss how to meet America’s growing need for electricity ... 41:11

8M ago41:11

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If President Trump’s tariff strategy succeeds in sparking a revival in US manufacturing, one consequence will be surging demand for power. We are already seeing electricity demand starting to pick up after 15 years of stagnation, driven by new data centers for AI and a wave of factory-building for semiconductors and batteries that is already under …

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Is the US being left behind in the race to develop new clean energy technologies? BYD is selling EVs that can charge in five minutes | China is streaking ahead of the US in the energy transition race 58:08

8M ago58:08

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The Chinese car company BYD, the world’s top-selling manufacturer of electric vehicles, is launching two models that can charge in five minutes; about the time it takes to fill a tank with gasoline. It’s news that looks like a landmark moment in the energy transition, the way that the release of the DeepSeek model was for AI. It’s another eye-openi…

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What does financial market turmoil mean for low-carbon energy? 1:13:44

9M ago1:13:44

1:13:44

Investors have gone sour on clean energy. In a troubled time for stock markets in general, where is the capital for energy flowing now? Host Ed Crooks is joined by Shanu Mathew, Senior VP and Portfolio Manager at Lazard Asset Management, and Amy Myers Jaffe, Director of the Energy, Climate Justice, and Sustainability Lab at NYU. Shanu returns to th…

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Flexible, fast-responding and reliable – the growth of energy storage seems unstoppable. What could possibly go wrong? 57:00

9M ago57:00

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Charge when it’s cheap, when energy is abundant, and discharge when the energy is needed. The role of energy storage will be critical to the transition to low-carbon technologies. It’s an exciting time in the industry, with spectacular growth in battery storage markets in the US and around the world, and it’s predicted to continue. “We’re in the ho…

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What do President Trump’s tariffs mean for energy? | The view from Washington and Canada 1:00:12

10M ago1:00:12

1:00:12

In 2018, President Donald Trump said “I’m a tariff man”, declaring they were the way to make America rich again. Six years on and just weeks into his second term, he is putting that philosophy into practice. President Trump has announced a barrage of new and increased tariffs on imports into the US, including a 10% levy on all goods from China. He …

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What does DeepSeek AI mean for energy? 1:03:25

10M ago1:03:25

1:03:25

It’s a historic moment in energy, with a leap forward in AI technology coming as the Trump administration sets a new direction for the US. The Energy Gang break down what it all means. When they make The Energy Transition – The Movie, the week of 27th January 2025 will be a pivotal scene. The Chinese AI company DeepSeek sent shockwaves through stoc…

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Does clean hydrogen have a future? Finding a role for hydrogen in a low-carbon energy economy 1:08:53

10M ago1:08:53

1:08:53

Hydrogen has been called the Swiss Army knife of energy, because it has so many potential applications, from home heating to heavy industry. But so far, deployment around the world has been slow. And in recent months there has been a series of setbacks for plans to use clean hydrogen to decarbonise energy systems. So what’s the problem? Is it unsui…

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What can we expect from energy in 2025? The people, places and technologies to watch this year 1:03:56

11M ago1:03:56

1:03:56

Host Ed Crooks is joined by regulars Amy Myers Jaffe and Melissa Lott to share their predictions for energy in 2025. They discuss the policy changes expected from Washington under the Trump administration, the crucial role for California as a leader in clean energy, the exciting new technologies that may be launched or ramped up this year, and the …

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The Energy Gang’s Review of the Year in energy 1:02:01

11M ago1:02:01

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China’s booming EV industry, AI and clean energy, questions over hydrogen, and the other big stories from 2024. To round off a momentous year for clean energy, Ed Crooks is joined by regulars Melissa Lott and Amy Myers Jaffe to reflect on the highs and lows of 2024. The gang revisit the predictions they made in January, share their highs and lows f…

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Bonus episode from COP29: Getting real about methane emissions 36:41

12M ago36:41

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More than 100 countries have pledged to cut methane emissions, with not much to show for it so far. What is being done to change that? Methane – the main component of natural gas – is the second most significant greenhouse gas, after carbon dioxide. It accounts for about 30% of all the human-induced warming the world has experienced since the 19th …

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What happened at COP29? 37:05

1y ago37:05

37:05

The climate talks agreed a $300 billion finance deal. Not everyone is happy about it. The COP29 climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, finally ended around 5.30am on Sunday morning, almost 36 hours after they had been originally scheduled to close. The good news was that the negotiators representing about 200 countries agreed a deal on climate finance:…

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Live from COP29: One weird trick to solve our energy problem 54:54

1y ago54:54

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As policy changes course in the US, is energy efficiency the key that can unlock a sustainable future? In our latest episode from the COP29 climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, host Ed Crooks talks to our guests about the challenges facing the energy transition, including the far-reaching implications of a second Trump administration, as asks whether…

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Live from COP29: Everyone is talking about climate finance. What do they mean? 47:22

1y ago47:22

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How a deal at the climate talks could make a real difference to the energy transition In our latest episode from the COP29 climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, Ed Crooks explores the challenges and opportunities of mobilizing climate finance to support the energy transition in emerging markets. As the "Finance COP", COP29 is under pressure to deliver…

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Live from COP29: Are businesses still driving the energy transition? 57:48

1y ago57:48

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As many nations face challenges in meeting their Paris Agreement goals, some businesses are stepping up to fill the gap. Climate action is not just a responsibility but a lucrative opportunity In this latest episode of The Energy Gang from COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Ed Crooks explores the critical role of businesses in addressing climate change. He…

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Live from COP29: How US states will keep up climate action under a Trump administration 53:22

1y ago53:22

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A special COP29 episode exploring the power of states, regions, and cities to advance the energy transition amid uncertain national policies In this special episode of The Energy Gang from COP29, Ed Crooks brings together a panel of expert guests in Baku, Azerbaijan, to discuss the global implications of the US election and the growing importance o…

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Live from COP29: climate finance at the forefront 26:50

1y ago26:50

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The role of development banks in climate finance The COP29 climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, have climate finance at the top of the agenda. As global leaders and experts gather to deliberate on pathways to a sustainable future, the focus is on how funding from richer nations might facilitate decarbonization and resilience in poorer and middle-inco…

Columbia University Center On Global Energy Policy Podcasts