Net Zero Compare Podcast

Net Zero Compare

Interviews + explainers for the energy transition, without the greenwash. Hear from innovators across climate tech and sustainability (battery chemists, hydrogen founders, marine energy, EV charging, carbon markets), then get buyer’s-guide clarity on tools like carbon accounting, ESG monitoring and supply-chain solutions. Straight facts, business outcomes, real-world adoption. 🌐 netzerocompare.com

  1. Karl Rabe on Rethinking Data Centers Starts Before the Power Is Switched On

    1 DAY AGO

    Karl Rabe on Rethinking Data Centers Starts Before the Power Is Switched On

    🎯 In this episode: Karl Rabe, Founder and Managing Director of WoodenDataCenter and Co-Lead of the Modular Data Center Group at the Open Compute Project Foundation, explains why data center sustainability must begin long before the servers are switched on. The conversation explores how, as renewable electricity reduces operational emissions, the majority of a data center’s footprint shifts to embedded emissions in construction materials, equipment, and supply chains. Rabe discusses why materials like cross-laminated timber (CLT) can significantly cut upfront carbon while improving speed and cost competitiveness through modular construction. He shares insights from hyperscale projects, noting that construction materials can account for 40-60% of total emissions, and up to 99% once power is fully decarbonized. The episode also covers modular infrastructure, open standards through the Open Compute Project, regional energy considerations, and how energy-integrated data centers can support grid stability with storage, flexible loads, and heat recovery. Ultimately, the discussion highlights why early design decisions, material choices, and system integration are becoming central to both climate performance and commercial success in digital infrastructure. 🔗 Read the full article:⁠ ⁠https://netzerocompare.com/podcasts/net-zero-compare-podcast/karl-rabe-woodendatacenter⁠ 📍 Guest: Karl Rabe, Founder and Managing Director of WoodenDataCenter and Co-Lead of the Modular Data Center Group at the Open Compute Project Foundation ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/karl-rabe-osg/⁠ 🎙 Interview by: Karol Kaczmarek, Co-Founder of Net Zero Compare ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/karol-kaczmarek-39a29651/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 WoodenDataCenter: ⁠https://woodendatacenter.com/⁠ #KarlRabe #DataCenters #SustainableDataCenters #EmbeddedEmissions #DigitalInfrastructure #NetZero #ClimateTech #Decarbonization #GreenBuilding #LowCarbonConstruction #MassTimber *** At Net Zero Compare, we deliver clear, data-backed insights for decision-makers navigating ESG reporting, net-zero compliance, and clean energy adoption. 🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://netzerocompare.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📩 Contact us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@netzerocompare.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📚 Explore the Academy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://netzerocompare.com/academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📰 Read more insights: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://netzerocompare.com/articles⁠⁠⁠

    35 min
  2. Clark T. Bell on Improving Agricultural Efficiency Without Increasing Inputs: Lessons From Nano-Yield

    6 FEB

    Clark T. Bell on Improving Agricultural Efficiency Without Increasing Inputs: Lessons From Nano-Yield

    🎯 In this episode: Clark T. Bell, CEO and Founder of Nano-Yield, explains how nanotechnology is being applied to improve efficiency in modern agriculture. The conversation explores why a significant share of fertilizers, such as nitrogen, never reaches crops, and how Nano-Yield enhances the delivery and absorption of existing inputs rather than replacing them. Bell discusses real-world field data showing that farmers can reduce fertilizer use by around 20% while maintaining or increasing yields, improving margins amid rising input costs. He addresses adoption barriers, the importance of independent trials, regulatory complexities across different regions, and the long-term impacts on soil health. The episode also connects input efficiency to Scope 3 emissions reduction, highlighting why solutions that align economic and environmental incentives are more likely to scale in today’s agricultural landscape. 🔗 Read the full article:⁠ https://netzerocompare.com/podcasts/net-zero-compare-podcast/clark-t-bell-nano-yield 📍 Guest: Clark T. Bell, CEO and Founder of Nano-Yield https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarktbell/ 🎙 Interview by: Karol Kaczmarek, Co-Founder of Net Zero Compare ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/karol-kaczmarek-39a29651/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 Nano-Yield:⁠ https://www.nano-yield.com/ #Clark T. Bell #Agriculture #AgTech #Sustainability #Nanotechnology #ClimateAction #Scope3 #SoilHealth #FertilizerEfficiency #NetZero #FoodSystems #CarbonEmissions #Innovation *** At Net Zero Compare, we deliver clear, data-backed insights for decision-makers navigating ESG reporting, net-zero compliance, and clean energy adoption. 🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://netzerocompare.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📩 Contact us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@netzerocompare.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📚 Explore the Academy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://netzerocompare.com/academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📰 Read more insights: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://netzerocompare.com/articles⁠⁠⁠

    34 min
  3. Andri Johnston on Digital Sustainability in Publishing: Practical Lessons from Cambridge University Press & Assessment

    29 JAN

    Andri Johnston on Digital Sustainability in Publishing: Practical Lessons from Cambridge University Press & Assessment

    🎯 In this episode: Andri Johnston, Digital Sustainability Lead axplains how digital sustainability works in practice inside a global publishing and education organization. The conversation explores where digital emissions actually come from in publishing, why waiting for perfect data slows progress, and how transparent assumptions can unlock action. Johnston discusses improving digital products through efficiency rather than feature reduction, the overlap between sustainability and accessibility, and the challenges of supplier transparency in Scope 3 reporting. She also reflects on governance, cultural change, hardware lifecycle management, and the emerging sustainability risks of AI. The episode highlights why continuous improvement, not theoretical perfection, is key to making digital sustainability measurable and operational at scale. 🔗 Read the full article:⁠ https://netzerocompare.com/podcasts/net-zero-compare-podcast/andri-johnston-cambridge-university 📍 Guest: Andri Johnston, Digital Sustainability Lead at Cambridge University Press & Assessment https://www.linkedin.com/in/andri-johnston-208b0283/ 🎙 Interview by: Karol Kaczmarek, Co-Founder of Net Zero Compare ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/karol-kaczmarek-39a29651/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 Cambridge University:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.cambridge.org/ 🔗 Cambridge Press & Assessment:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/cambridge-university-press-and-assessment/ #Andri Johnston #DigitalSustainability #ESG #NetZero #Scope3 #SustainableTech #GreenIT #ClimateTech #Publishing #EdTech #Accessibility #SustainableDesign #DataQuality #CloudSustainability #ResponsibleAI #SystemsThinking *** At Net Zero Compare, we deliver clear, data-backed insights for decision-makers navigating ESG reporting, net-zero compliance, and clean energy adoption. 🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://netzerocompare.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📩 Contact us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@netzerocompare.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📚 Explore the Academy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://netzerocompare.com/academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📰 Read more insights: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://netzerocompare.com/articles⁠⁠

    48 min
  4. Lee Stewart on How Companies Can Turn ESG Commitments Into Real Progress: Insights from Lee Stewart

    22 JAN

    Lee Stewart on How Companies Can Turn ESG Commitments Into Real Progress: Insights from Lee Stewart

    🎯 In this episode: Lee Stewart, CEO of ESG Strategy, explains why turning ESG commitments into real progress is less about ambition and more about governance, structure, and execution. The conversation explores why sustainability efforts often stall when responsibility is concentrated in small teams, how existing governance and financial processes can be leveraged instead of creating parallel structures, and why customer-inclusive materiality assessments are critical for strategic focus. Stewart also discusses the growing importance of data quality, early preparation for reporting and assurance, and the impact of linking executive incentives to ESG outcomes. The episode highlights why meaningful sustainability progress depends on consistent, incremental action embedded across the organization, rather than standalone targets or compliance-driven reporting. 🔗 Read the full article:⁠ ⁠https://netzerocompare.com/podcasts/net-zero-compare-podcast/lee-stewart-esg-strategy⁠ 📍 Guest: Lee Stewart, CEO of ESG Strategy https://www.linkedin.com/in/leestewart/?originalSubdomain=au 🎙 Interview by: Karol Kaczmarek, Co-Founder of Net Zero Compare ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/karol-kaczmarek-39a29651/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 ESG Strategy:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.esgstrategy.com.au/⁠ # Lee Stewart #ESGLeadership #SustainabilityStrategy #ESGGovernance #SustainabilityExecution #Materiality #ESGData #SustainabilityReporting #ClimateStrategy #CorporateSustainability #NetZero #BusinessTransformation #SustainableBusiness *** At Net Zero Compare, we deliver clear, data-backed insights for decision-makers navigating ESG reporting, net-zero compliance, and clean energy adoption. 🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://netzerocompare.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📩 Contact us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@netzerocompare.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📚 Explore the Academy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://netzerocompare.com/academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📰 Read more insights: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://netzerocompare.com/articles⁠

    25 min
  5. Pini Reznik on Why AI Native Transformation Is About Structure, Not Tools

    17 JAN

    Pini Reznik on Why AI Native Transformation Is About Structure, Not Tools

    🎯 In this episode: Pini Reznik, CEO and co-founder of re:cinq, explains why becoming AI Native is not about adopting new tools, but about redesigning organizational structures, data foundations, and operating models. The conversation explores how underutilized cloud infrastructure drives both financial waste and unnecessary emissions, why treating AI as a productivity add-on often fails, and how AI shifts human work from execution to interpretation, governance, and decision-making. Reznik discusses the central role of data quality, the limitations created by organizational silos, the leadership requirements for successful transformation, and the strong link between efficiency, cost reduction, and sustainability. The episode highlights why AI Native transformation must be incremental, structural, and continuous, rather than a one-time technological upgrade. 🔗 Read the full article:⁠ https://netzerocompare.com/podcasts/net-zero-compare-podcast/pini-reznik-recinq 📍 Guest: Pini Reznik, CEO and co-founder of re:cinq https://www.linkedin.com/in/pinireznik/ 🎙 Interview by: Karol Kaczmarek, Co-Founder of Net Zero Compare ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/karol-kaczmarek-39a29651/⁠⁠⁠ 🔗 re:cinq:⁠ https://re-cinq.com/ #Pini Reznik #AINative #AITransformation #NetZero #GreenIT #DigitalTransformation #DataGovernance #CloudComputing #EnterpriseAI #SustainableTech #GreenIT #EnergyEfficiency #Leadership #FutureOfWork #TechAndSustainability *** At Net Zero Compare, we deliver clear, data-backed insights for decision-makers navigating ESG reporting, net-zero compliance, and clean energy adoption. 🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://netzerocompare.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📩 Contact us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠info@netzerocompare.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📚 Explore the Academy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://netzerocompare.com/academy⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📰 Read more insights: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://netzerocompare.com/articles

    39 min
  6. Tom Schueneman on From Doom to Dialogue: How Climate Communication Can Reconnect People With Reality

    9 JAN

    Tom Schueneman on From Doom to Dialogue: How Climate Communication Can Reconnect People With Reality

    🎯 In this episode: Environmental journalist Tom Schueneman, founder of GlobalWarmingIsReal.com and PlanetWatch Group, discusses why climate communication is often the missing link between awareness and action. The conversation examines how alarmist framing, data-heavy messaging, and communication silos contribute to fatigue and disengagement, and why storytelling grounded in shared human values can help rebuild trust. Schueneman explains why transparency matters more than slogans in sustainability claims, how responsibility is often misplaced onto consumers, and why credible climate narratives must focus on solutions, lived experience, and systemic change. The episode also examines overlooked challenges such as the environmental footprint of AI, plastic dependence, and the urgency of deploying scalable renewables while maintaining long-term resilience. 🔗 Read the full article:⁠ https://netzerocompare.com/podcasts/net-zero-compare-podcast/tom-schueneman-environmental-journalist 📍 Guest: Tom Schueneman, environmental journalist and founder of GlobalWarmingIsReal.com and PlanetWatch Group https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomschueneman/ 🎙 Interview by: Karol Kaczmarek, Co-Founder of Net Zero Compare ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/karol-kaczmarek-39a29651/⁠⁠ 🔗 GlobalWarmingIsReal.com:⁠ https://globalwarmingisreal.com #Tom Schueneman #ClimateCommunication #ESG #SustainabilityNarratives #ClimateAction #NetZero #EnvironmentalJournalism #ClimateStorytelling #SystemicChange #SustainabilityLeadership #ClimateSolutions *** At Net Zero Compare, we deliver clear, data-backed insights for decision-makers navigating ESG reporting, net-zero compliance, and clean energy adoption. 🌐 ⁠⁠⁠https://netzerocompare.com⁠⁠⁠ 📩 Contact us: ⁠⁠⁠info@netzerocompare.com⁠⁠⁠ 📚 Explore the Academy: ⁠⁠⁠https://netzerocompare.com/academy⁠⁠⁠ 📰 Read more insights: ⁠⁠⁠https://netzerocompare.com/articles

    35 min
  7. Mike Gifford on Digital Sustainability Starts with How We Build the Web

    2 JAN

    Mike Gifford on Digital Sustainability Starts with How We Build the Web

    🎯 In this episode: Mike Gifford, Open Standards and Practices Lead at CivicActions, discusses why digital sustainability is becoming a critical pillar of credible ESG reporting. The conversation explores how accessibility, open standards, and ethical technology choices shape trust, transparency, and long-term compliance. Mike explains why sustainable digital design goes beyond infrastructure, how inefficient digital systems increase environmental impact, and why organizations must treat accessibility as a core requirement rather than an afterthought. The episode also examines the role of interoperability, responsible procurement, and incremental improvement in building digital systems that truly support climate and sustainability goals. 🔗 Read the full article:⁠ https://netzerocompare.com/podcasts/net-zero-compare-podcast/mike-gifford-civicactions 📍 Guest: Mike Gifford, Open Standards and Practices Lead at CivicActions https://www.linkedin.com/in/mgifford/ 🎙 Interview by: Karol Kaczmarek, Co-Founder of Net Zero Compare ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/karol-kaczmarek-39a29651/⁠ 🔗 CivicActions:⁠ https://civicactions.com/ #MikeGifford #DigitalSustainability #ESGReporting #OpenStandards #Accessibility #SustainableTech #ClimateTech #ESG #DigitalInclusion #ResponsibleTech #SustainableDesign #GreenIT #TechForGood *** At Net Zero Compare, we deliver clear, data-backed insights for decision-makers navigating ESG reporting, net-zero compliance, and clean energy adoption. 🌐 ⁠⁠https://netzerocompare.com⁠⁠ 📩 Contact us: ⁠⁠info@netzerocompare.com⁠⁠ 📚 Explore the Academy: ⁠⁠https://netzerocompare.com/academy⁠⁠ 📰 Read more insights: ⁠⁠https://netzerocompare.com/articles

    38 min
  8. Nina Benoit (Brightest) on How AI Is Transforming Sustainability Work

    27/12/2025

    Nina Benoit (Brightest) on How AI Is Transforming Sustainability Work

    🎯 In this episode: Nina Benoit, Director of Sustainability at Brightest, speaks about how artificial intelligence is transforming sustainability teams’ day-to-day work, from ESG reporting to Scope 3 data collection. The conversation explores where AI delivers real value and where caution is essential. Nina explains how AI can improve reporting efficiency and data accuracy when grounded in high-quality inputs and human oversight, while also warning against overuse that increases environmental impact without meaningful gains. We discuss AI agents for automating supplier outreach, the persistent challenges of Scope 3 emissions, internal reactions to automation, and why industries like technology and energy are moving fastest. The episode also addresses the often-overlooked environmental footprint of AI and offers practical guidance for sustainability leaders adopting these tools responsibly. 🔗 Read the full article:https://netzerocompare.com/podcasts/net-zero-compare-podcast/nina-benoit-brightest 📍 Guest: Nina Benoit, Director of Sustainability at Brightest https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninabenoit/ 🎙 Interview by: Karol Kaczmarek, Co-Founder of Net Zero Compare https://www.linkedin.com/in/karol-kaczmarek-39a29651/ 🔗 Brightest:https://www.brightest.io/ #NinaBenoit #Brightest #ArtificialIntelligence #SustainabilityReporting #Scope3 #ESGData #ClimateTech #NetZero #ESG #NetZeroCompare *** At Net Zero Compare, we deliver clear, data-backed insights for decision-makers navigating ESG reporting, net-zero compliance, and clean energy adoption. 🌐 ⁠https://netzerocompare.com⁠ 📩 Contact us: ⁠info@netzerocompare.com⁠ 📚 Explore the Academy: ⁠https://netzerocompare.com/academy⁠ 📰 Read more insights: ⁠https://netzerocompare.com/articles

    27 min

About

Interviews + explainers for the energy transition, without the greenwash. Hear from innovators across climate tech and sustainability (battery chemists, hydrogen founders, marine energy, EV charging, carbon markets), then get buyer’s-guide clarity on tools like carbon accounting, ESG monitoring and supply-chain solutions. Straight facts, business outcomes, real-world adoption. 🌐 netzerocompare.com