The NatureBacked Podcast

Tarmo Virki
  • 4.9 (29)
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Are you looking to understand the business of a better future? Welcome to NatureBacked. For three years and through more than 125 episodes, we've been on a mission to uncover how investors and entrepreneurs worldwide tackle climate change, from the complexities of emissions to the devastating reality of floods. We explore the personal choices and inspiring journeys driving this critical work. Join us to hear from the experts, innovators, and changemakers who are not just talking about change but actively creating it. As a top-three U.S. investment podcast and in the top 2.5% of all podcasts globally, NatureBacked offers the insights you need to navigate the evolving landscape of a sustainable world.NatureBacked was founded by Tarmo Virki, a passionate environmentalist who believes that nature has the solutions to many of the challenges we face today. In each episode, Tarmo or co-host Fiona Alston interviews a guest who shares their knowledge, experience, and vision on a specific topic related to nature and sustainability. We would love to hear from you, so feel free to email us at tarmo@naturebacked.com with your feedback, questions, or suggestions. Thank you for listening, and we hope you enjoy the show!Stay curious and stay green 💚

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  1. EPISODE 1

    Investing in a Regenerative Future: A Conversation with Michael Smith

    In a climate-aware world, can venture capital truly be a force for good? Join us as we speak with Michael Smith, co-founder of Regeneration.VC, a firm dedicated to reshaping consumer value chains through the lens of environmental regeneration. While the firm is known for its strategic advisor Leonardo DiCaprio, the real stars of this show are the revolutionary businesses Michael and his team are funding. Michael reveals how Regeneration.VC applies a rigorous, nature-first approach to funding innovation: The CRISP Measurement System: Learn about the Circular Regenerative Investment Sustainability Protocol (CRISP), the firm's proprietary method for ensuring that investments actively contribute to environmental healing and, critically, "do no harm." Michael explains how this system uses strict negative screens to avoid environmentally destructive practices from the start. The Toxics Challenge: Michael details the urgent, often-overlooked threat of toxic materials in consumer products, especially in industries like apparel manufacturing, and how Regeneration.VC targets companies dedicated to eliminating these harmful chemicals from our planet and our lives. Success in Circularity: Discover compelling case studies, including an investment in a company that transforms waste from the seafood industry into a compostable, soil-enriching alternative to Styrofoam. Impact vs. Returns: Michael shares his personal journey to impact investing and provides insight into the challenges and opportunities of aligning financial goals with a desire to contribute positively to the planet. This conversation offers a deep dive into how strategic capital can move beyond mere sustainability and actively drive a regenerative future. Takeaways Investing with nature in mind is crucial for sustainability. The CRISP measurement system helps ensure no harm is done. Impact investing can yield profitable returns while doing good. Reducing waste and increasing efficiency is key to circularity. Toxics in consumer products are a growing concern. Carbon markets are evolving, but challenges remain. Voluntary carbon markets show promise for innovation. Mycelium packaging startups face scalability challenges. Optimism is growing in the nature technology sector. Innovative business models can drive positive change for the planet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    35 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    Turning Abandoned Oil Wells Into Batteries with Renewell's Kemp Gregory

    What if the millions of idle oil wells scattered across North America weren't just environmental liabilities, but the key to stabilizing energy grid? In this episode, we sit down with Kemp Gregory, CEO and co-founder of Renewell Energy, to discuss how his team is repurposing fossil-fuel infrastructure for the renewable energy age. By using fundamental physics and the massive depth of existing wellbores, Renewell is creating "gravity batteries" that move heavy weights to store and release energy on demand. The $450 Billion Problem: There are over 2 million idle wells in the U.S. that could take 100 years to clean up under current methods; Renewell offers operators a way to convert these liabilities into assets while meeting regulatory cleanup quotas. Mechanical Energy Storage: The system works by winching a 30,000-pound (15-ton) weight up and down a wellbore, providing a solution with zero self-discharge—meaning no energy is lost while the weight is held at the top. A "Win-Win" Business Model: By leveraging funds from oil companies that are already legally required to spend money eliminating wells, Renewell aims to drive the cost of storage down to an unprecedented $5 per kilowatt-hour. Scalability & Regulation: While they have already secured critical regulatory wins in California, Colorado, and New Mexico, the potential scale is massive—Kemp estimates that 10% of idle wells, or roughly 200,000 sites, are suitable for this conversion. Efficiency at Any Duration: Unlike chemical batteries, this mechanical system maintains the same round-trip efficiency whether it is discharging for one hour or 100 hours. Join us as Kemp Gregory shares how his background as a petroleum engineer at Shell led to an innovation that could provide 5-10% of the total energy storage the U.S. grid needs to go green. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    25 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    Navigating the U.S. Climate Policy Frontal Attack with Chris Moyer

    The U.S. climate landscape has shifted dramatically from passing historic legislation to facing a "full-frontal attack" on clean energy policy. As federal rules are scaled back and agencies are hollowed out, how do climate organizations and green tech companies survive—and even thrive—in such an environment? In this episode, we sit down with Chris Moyer, founder of Echo Communications, a Washington, D.C.-based strategic communications firm. Chris works at the intersection of climate tech, clean energy, and policy, helping innovators tell their stories effectively when public opinion and political levers are being pulled in the opposite direction. The Strategic Pivot to "Kitchen Table" Issues: Chris discusses why the climate movement is shifting away from talking about "half-degree temperature increases" to focusing on immediate costs. The most effective messaging today connects clean energy to a 30% lower electric bill for busy families rather than long-term existential threats. A "Speed Bump, Not a Wall": Despite the rollback of wind permits and new hurdles for solar on federal land, Chris remains optimistic. He views this current political period in 2025 as a temporary slowing of an inevitable transition, noting that robust investment in climate tech continues because the economic case is simply too strong to ignore. The Rise of Geothermal and Nuclear: In the current political climate, only a few clean technologies are finding favor with the administration. Chris highlights the growing interest in advanced geothermal and nuclear power, largely driven by the massive energy demands of AI and data centers. Fighting the "Misinformation Ecosystem": Chris shares a cautionary tale from the offshore wind industry, where misinformation contributed to a 15% drop in public support in less than a year. He provides advice for entrepreneurs on how to assert facts without being confrontational to win back public opinion. The Permitting Bottleneck: We explore why so much clean energy is "sitting in a queue" and why reforming the U.S. permitting system is the single most critical step to meeting growing electricity demand. Join us for a masterclass in climate communications and a realistic look at how the energy transition is moving forward, one strategic message at a time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    24 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    Can Venture Capital Save the Planet? A discussion with Planet A's Jessica Burley

    In this episode of NatureBacked, we sit down with Jessica Burley from Planet A Ventures, a European VC fund with €160 million in dedicated capital, pursuing a science-first approach to impact investing. Planet A is rewriting the playbook by giving its in-house science team veto power on investment decisions, ensuring every portfolio company addresses the world's critical planetary boundaries—not just carbon. Join us as we explore: The rigorous lifecycle assessments that separate true impact from greenwashing. Why cost parity is the key to mass adoption of green tech. The unique challenges and massive potential of investing in hardware startups. Tune in to discover how Planet A is proving that commercial success and environmental regeneration can - and must - go hand in hand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    26 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    Navigating Europe's Energy Future with Mats Larsson

    With Mats Larsson, founder of the Global Energy Transformation Institute (GETI), we delve into the critical challenges and promising opportunities shaping the continent's path towards a sustainable future. Our conversation explores the strategic imperative for Europe to bolster its domestic battery and electric vehicle economy, examining the lessons learned from past initiatives and the potential pitfalls of over-reliance on external supply chains. We dissect the roles of governmental policies and targeted investments, drawing insightful comparisons with historical successes such as the US Apollo program, as we consider how best to foster innovation and growth in the European context. The discussion also navigates the complex interplay of various energy sources -- from the resurgence of nuclear power and the expansion of solar and wind, to the potential role of hydrogen, and even the controversial prospect of coal's return amidst escalating energy demands driven by advancements in artificial intelligence. A significant portion of our conversation is dedicated to the often-overlooked backbone of our energy system: the electricity grid. We explore the challenges posed by aging, centralized infrastructure and the urgent need for digitization to accommodate transformative technologies such as vehicle-to-grid solutions. Furthermore, we highlight the crucial gap in understanding between the automotive sector and energy suppliers, emphasizing the necessity for greater collaboration and foresight in planning for the massive power requirements of future electric vehicle fleets. Join us as we unpack these multifaceted issues, offering a comprehensive overview of the strategic decisions and technological advancements that will define Europe's energy and automotive trajectory in the years to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    37 min
See All Season 8 (5)

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
29 Ratings

About

Are you looking to understand the business of a better future? Welcome to NatureBacked. For three years and through more than 125 episodes, we've been on a mission to uncover how investors and entrepreneurs worldwide tackle climate change, from the complexities of emissions to the devastating reality of floods. We explore the personal choices and inspiring journeys driving this critical work. Join us to hear from the experts, innovators, and changemakers who are not just talking about change but actively creating it. As a top-three U.S. investment podcast and in the top 2.5% of all podcasts globally, NatureBacked offers the insights you need to navigate the evolving landscape of a sustainable world.NatureBacked was founded by Tarmo Virki, a passionate environmentalist who believes that nature has the solutions to many of the challenges we face today. In each episode, Tarmo or co-host Fiona Alston interviews a guest who shares their knowledge, experience, and vision on a specific topic related to nature and sustainability. We would love to hear from you, so feel free to email us at tarmo@naturebacked.com with your feedback, questions, or suggestions. Thank you for listening, and we hope you enjoy the show!Stay curious and stay green 💚

Information

  • Creator
    Tarmo Virki
  • Episodes
    142
  • Seasons
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 The NatureBacked Podcast
  • Show Website
    The NatureBacked Podcast