How to Decarbonise Industry Without Breaking the Grid (or the Bank) Artwork

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, technology and sustainability analyst, keynote speaker and former SAP Global VP Tom Raftery speaks with the executives, engineers, scientists, founders and policymakers turning climate ambition into measurable progress. Together, they examine the technologies, business models, policies and implementation strategies reshaping energy, transport, industry, supply chains, food and finance.

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Climate Confident - Practical Climate Solutions That Cut Emissions

How to Decarbonise Industry Without Breaking the Grid (or the Bank)

June 25, 2025 • Tom Raftery • Season 1 • Episode 226

0:00 | 43:21

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In this episode of the Climate Confident podcast, I sat down with Stuart Thompson, President of ABB Electrification Service, to unpack one of the most overlooked but critical fronts in the climate transition: industrial decarbonisation.

Industry accounts for around a quarter of global energy-related carbon emissions, and much of that stems from outdated infrastructure, unreliable grids, and a historic reliance on cheap fossil fuels. Stuart leads a $1.4 billion division with 5,000 engineers working across 50 countries to modernise that very infrastructure, and in this conversation, he shared exactly what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change.

We explored:

Why energy security, cost, and carbon goals often pull in different directions
How modernising old assets can cut both emissions and costs - without ripping everything out
Why battery storage “as-a-service” is taking off, especially when paired with AI for energy optimisation
The role of the circular economy in electrification, from recycling components to extending asset life
What’s holding companies back (hint: underinvestment and inertia), and how ABB is helping them move faster

If you’re a business leader navigating energy volatility, emissions targets, and infrastructure risk, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at how to align climate goals with operational needs.

Listen now to hear why electrification isn’t just about new tech - it’s about rethinking ownership models, resilience, and risk.

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