Author: Tom Raftery
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Why Decarbonising Power Is the 21st-Century Economic Upgrade We Can’t Afford to Delay
Renewable energy has overtaken coal in global generation for the first time, highlighting a pivotal shift in power dynamics. Spain’s olive oil crisis exemplifies the economic impacts of climate risks. Accelerating clean energy and storage deployment is essential for resilience, stability, and affordability. Transitioning to renewables is a crucial step for sustainability and energy security.
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The ROI of Resilience: Climate Change as a Risk Management Challenge
Climate change is fundamentally a risk management challenge, requiring businesses and governments to abate, adapt, or suffer losses. Insurers are flagging climate risks, with costs rising for disasters. Effective climate risk strategies involve integrating climate considerations into corporate governance, investing in resilient infrastructure, and modernising practices to prevent systemic economic failures.
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Remembering Todd Cochrane: A Podcasting Pioneer (2006 Interview)
In March 2006, I interviewed Todd Cochrane for my PodLeaders podcast. A pioneer in podcasting, Todd advocated for independent creators and co-founded the Tech Podcast Network. His sudden passing in September 2025 left a significant void. The interview reveals his foresight on podcasting’s growth, emphasizing content quality and community. He is missed.
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The Electrification of Everything: Why Energy Transition Is Hard, and Why Delay Isn’t an Option
Electrification is revolutionising the global economy by transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable electricity across various sectors. While it offers significant opportunities, the shift demands extensive infrastructure, investment, and political resolve. Challenges include reliance on foreign supply chains and maintaining grid stability amidst increasing energy demands, necessitating urgency in adaptation and investment.
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Big Tech, Big Promises, Bigger Emissions: The Truth About Corporate Climate Claims
Corporate climate pledges often lack sincerity and effectiveness, revealing a gap between ambitious promises and actual progress. Major companies are criticised for relying on offsets and creative accounting rather than genuine emissions reduction. The need for transparent, transition-specific targets is paramount, as reputational risks increasingly translate to legal consequences in the climate crisis.
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Sustainability Is Now a Business Imperative – So Are My Podcast Archives
Sustainability is now essential for business, driven by customer, employee, investor, and regulatory demands. To support this shift, I offer two subscription-based podcasts with extensive archives on climate solutions and sustainable supply chains. Access to these resources will aid companies in meeting rising sustainability expectations. Subscribe for €5/month per podcast.
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The US Is Handing the 2030s to China and Europe
The shift in clean industry dynamics shows Europe being proactive in climate laws, while China scales clean tech production significantly. Meanwhile, U.S. policies are causing investment uncertainty and talent migration due to deregulation and cuts in scientific funding. This could jeopardise America’s technological leadership and innovation capacity in the coming years.
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Technology, Data, and AI: The Triple Engine Driving Supply Chain Decarbonisation and Waste Reduction
In 2025, global supply chains face immense pressure to tackle greenhouse gas emissions, which represent 60-90% of corporate emissions. Despite technological advancements for measurement and optimisation, many companies lag in addressing these challenges. Urgent action is needed to improve sustainability practices and compliance in light of evolving regulations like the CSRD and CBAM.