Climate Confident - Practical Climate Solutions That Cut Emissions
Climate Confident is for business leaders, climate professionals and policymakers who need to understand what is actually cutting emissions—and what it takes to make those solutions work at scale.
Each Wednesday, I speak with the executives, engineers, scientists, founders and policymakers turning climate ambition into measurable progress. Together, we examine the technologies, business models, policies and implementation strategies reshaping energy, transport, industry, supply chains, food and finance.
These are not conversations about distant targets, vague pledges or greenwash. They are candid discussions about what is working, what is failing, where the real bottlenecks lie, and how leaders can make better decisions about decarbonisation, resilience, investment and risk.
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- Proven approaches to reducing emissions
- Hard-earned lessons from real-world implementation
- Analysis of the markets, technologies and policies driving the transition
- Honest examination of costs, trade-offs, setbacks and unintended consequences
- Practical ideas for turning climate commitments into action
New episodes are published every Wednesday at 7am CET. Subscribers also receive bonus episodes featuring highlights, analysis and emerging themes from across the series.
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Guest suggestions and feedback are welcome at Tom@tomraftery.com.
Climate Confident - Practical Climate Solutions That Cut Emissions
What the 2024 US Election Really Meant for Climate Policy
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In this episode of the Climate Confident podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Jay Hakes, a renowned expert in U.S. energy and environmental policy. We delved into the critical role the upcoming U.S. presidential election will play in shaping global climate action, particularly as we approach the 2030 climate targets.
Dr. Hakes provided an insightful analysis of how the U.S. political system, with its built-in complexities, often hinders swift climate action. He shared his thoughts on the historical impact of past presidential decisions, particularly around automobile efficiency standards, and the lasting effects these have had on the country’s climate progress.
We also discussed the potential implications of a shift in U.S. leadership, particularly contrasting the climate stances of Trump and Harris. Dr. Hakes highlighted the importance of science-based decision-making and the need for sustained, bipartisan commitment to addressing the climate crisis.
If you’re interested in how the intersection of politics and environmental policy will shape our future, this episode is a must-listen. For more insights, be sure to check out Dr. Hakes' work at JayHakes.com.
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