The Asia Climate Finance Podcast

Joseph Jacobelli
  • 4.7 (3)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

The podcast is a journey into the multifaceted world of climate business and finance trends in Asia. Featuring experienced experts and hosted by author, analyst, and investor Joseph Jacobelli, the non-profit podcast, delves into the latest trends and challenges, empowering listeners to navigate Asia’s ever-evolving sustainability and decarbonisation landscape.

  1. Ep79 AI Scrutiny and the Future of Sustainable Impact with Greg Elders, Canbury Insights

    1D AGO

    Ep79 AI Scrutiny and the Future of Sustainable Impact with Greg Elders, Canbury Insights

    Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com How is AI turning climate reporting from a tick‑box task into something useful? Greg Elders from Canbury Insights explains why financial materiality sits back at the heart of climate strategy. He shows how this shift affects investors, regulators and companies. We examine Europe pushing for real sustainable impact under CSRD, the US facing ESG uncertainty and mixed signals from regulators, and Asian firms juggling ISSB and TCFD standards while dealing with regional economic pressures. Greg sets out how large language models read annual reports, proxy statements and local media. They link business growth to physical climate risks such as water scarcity. The result is faster insight and sharper scrutiny. We discuss targeted stewardship, greenwashing risks and the future of global reporting frameworks. Greg also explains why a single global standard remains a “crazy dream”. Automated scrutiny is already changing corporate behaviour, and the pace is only accelerating. ABOUT GREG: Gregory Elders is Director, North America, at Canbury Insights. He is a recognised sustainable investing expert, leading Canbury’s North American operations and client engagements. He advises investors and companies in navigating evolving sustainability and stewardship expectations, building robust assessment and reporting systems, and aligning sustainability strategies with financial performance. HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep76 onward excerpts from Vivaldi’s La Follia, played by Luca Jacobelli.

    35 min
  2. Ep78 How Solar Forecasting Reduces Risk for Investors with Harsh Goenka, Solargis

    FEB 3

    Ep78 How Solar Forecasting Reduces Risk for Investors with Harsh Goenka, Solargis

    Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com Unlock the secrets of solar bankability in this episode with Harsh Goenka from Solargis, a leading solar data and software provider. We explore how high-quality satellite data and AI-driven forecasting reduce investment risk and manage weather variability. Discover how precise resource assessment helps grid operators transition from coal to reliable, base-load renewable energy by optimising battery storage. Learn why accurate solar data is the essential "fuel" for scaling climate finance and navigating extreme weather risks like hailstorms in emerging markets. ABOUT HARSH: Harsh Goenka is the Regional Sales Director for Europe and APAC at Solargis. An engineer by training, Harsh brings over a decade of expertise in the renewable energy sector, specialising in bridging the gap between technical solar engineering and financial risk assessment. Prior to his current leadership role, he was instrumental in mentoring commercial teams and forging strategic partnerships with major institutional investors and IPPs globally. He remains committed to advancing data-driven decision-making to accelerate the global transition to clean energy. HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep76 onward excerpts from Vivaldi’s La Follia, played by Luca Jacobelli.

    35 min
  3. Ep77 Asia’s Energy Transition Outlook: Moving Faster Than the Policy Makers with Mike Thomas, The Lantau Group

    JAN 20

    Ep77 Asia’s Energy Transition Outlook: Moving Faster Than the Policy Makers with Mike Thomas, The Lantau Group

    Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com Host Joseph Jacobelli welcomes Mike Thomas, leading energy economist and founder of The Lantau Group (TLG), for their annual review and 2026 outlook. Mike argues that we have reached a historic tipping point where solar-plus-battery hybrids are now cost-competitive with traditional gas and coal, often without requiring a premium for base-load-style power. The conversation dives deep into the "strategic pivot" in China that has led to a global battery fire sale, the surge in data centre demand in hubs like Johor, and the counter-intuitive risks posed by government-run green energy auctions. Mike also highlights why Malaysia is currently the region's most "ready" market and explores the legal and regulatory "software bugs", such as "intertemporal equity", that must be fixed to allow the physical energy transition to keep pace with technological reality. LINKS: Research From TLG. ABOUT MIKE: Founding partner at The Lantau Group with over 30 years of consulting experience, focussing on the energy sector. He advises a wide range of energy sector stakeholders on strategic, regulatory, and competition matters; sustainability; market design and development; and commercial transactions.  Prior to co-founding in 2010, he headed the Asia Pacific Energy & Environment practice of a global consulting firm. Mike has an MPP from Harvard Kennedy School, and a BA in Economics from Carleton College. Within the Asia Pacific region, he has led many significant engagements involving the robust application of economics and analytics to a wide variety of business, policy, and regulatory challenges affecting the electricity and gas sectors. He works extensively with multinationals on sustainability strategies, focussing on the best options in different markets, and on the regulatory and policy changes needed to support increasing renewable energy contracting options. HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep76 onward excerpts from Vivaldi’s La Follia, played by Luca Jacobelli.

    46 min

  4. JAN 8

    Ep76 2025 Wrap: The Forces Reshaping Asia’s Energy Transition

    Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com This special year‑end episode of Asia Climate Finance unpacks the three defining themes that shaped the energy transition in 2025. Joseph Jacobelli explores the ratchet effect driving unstoppable momentum, Asia’s emergence as a global rule shaper, and the rise of blended finance models unlocking capital for clean energy. He also highlights major trends from AI‑driven electricity demand to the return of nuclear, nature as infrastructure, and new breakthroughs in hard‑to‑abate sectors. A concise, insight‑rich wrap‑up for anyone tracking climate finance, energy markets, and the transition across Asia Pacific. HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep76 onward excerpts from Vivaldi’s La Follia, played by Luca Jacobelli.

    22 min

  5. 12/16/2025

    Ep75 Rule Shaper, Not Rule Taker: Asia's Climate Finance Leadership, ft Ha Do, KPMG

    Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com Asia's climate finance landscape is evolving rapidly. In our discussion, our guest,  KPMG's Ha Do, explores how Asian governments are shifting from policy ambitions to concrete implementation, the climate finance mechanisms proving most effective in mobilising capital, and why state-owned enterprises remain at mid-stage ESG maturity. We examine green public-private partnerships, regulatory convergence around global standards, and why Asia is increasingly positioned to shape, rather than follow, global climate finance architecture. ABOUT HA: Ha leads the Government and Public Sector, and IDAS practice for KPMG in the Asia Pacific region. She specializes in advising central and local governments, NGOs including multilateral and bilateral development banks/agencies, state-owned enterprise groups, and relevant stakeholders (private enterprises, starts-up, etc) especially in projects and transformation across areas of infrastructure, healthcare and sustainability. Before assuming the regional roles, Ha was Senior Partner of KPMG Hanoi office, Head of Infrastructure, Government & Healthcare (IGH) Sector, Head of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Head of State-Owned Enterprises of KPMG Vietnam and Cambodia. She serves as a board director of Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC), an international business association that promotes cross-border trades. She also sits in the Asia Pacific Advisory Council for Global Infrastructure Project Financing Association (IPFA), a global organization for the infrastructure and energy financing industry. Ha has recently participated in the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP)’s Financing Energy Transition program as one of their Advisors. Ha has been a long-time Governor in the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Board of Governors in Hanoi. She is currently the Chairwoman of Women in Business Committee in AmCham. Ha has been a Board Member of Sustainable Finance Sector Committee (SFSC) under European Chamber of Commerce, working with various stakeholders to mainstream green business, abolish barriers, and create the conditions for green business to thrive. Ha was Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi Business Association for the period of 2017 – 2021, and she is actively involved in promoting business of Vietnamese private enterprises. She sits on various advisory boards for non-profit organisations and runs SympaMeals with her friends, a charity fund providing free meals to poor patients in Hanoi’s cancer and heart hospitals. HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep76 onward excerpts from Vivaldi’s La Follia, played by Luca Jacobelli.

    55 min

  6. 11/28/2025

    Ep74 Small Nuclear, TRISO, and Data Centres Decarbonisation, ft Stephen Edkins, Koya Nuclear

    Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com Stephen Edkins, CEO of Koya Nuclear, examines how TRISO fuel and small modular reactors could reshape Asia’s decarbonisation pathways. The discussion explains what TRISO is, why its high-temperature resilience and safety profile matter, and how it changes the economics of SMR projects. Stephen also explores government policy, financing hurdles, supply-chain needs, and why he expects a significant SMR build-out once a handful of designs reach commercial scale in the 2030s. ABOUT STEPHEN: Stephen Edkins is the Chief Executive Officer of Koya Nuclear, a company that focuses on producing and supplying TRISO nuclear fuel for small modular reactors. He has been working and investing in the clean energy space for over 20 years. He was part of the team that took solar and battery companies to the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol SOL) and the London Stock Exchange (ticker symbol IKA) respectively, and was also involved in the early stages of Envision Energy. Prior to that, he was an investment banker in New York covering Latin America with Banco Santander. Originally from the United Kingdom, he holds a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Oxford. HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep76 onward excerpts from Vivaldi’s La Follia, played by Luca Jacobelli.

    38 min

  7. 11/13/2025

    Ep73 Planetary Health and Climate Finance: AIIB’s Vision, ft Vera Siesjö, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

    Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com Explore the powerful links between climate, health, and development. Hear from Dr Vera Siesjö how the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank is tackling health challenges in Asia and beyond. Discover how climate change, digital innovation, and infrastructure investment shape health for millions. Learn why a healthy planet means healthier lives. REF: INFRASTRUCTURE FOR PLANETARY HEALTH ABOUT VERA: Vera Siesjö is a global health leader with nearly two decades of international experience advancing planetary health, health systems transformation, and sustainable development. At the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), she leads the Bank’s thought leadership agenda at the nexus of health, nature, climate, and inclusion—helping shape strategies that connect human well-being with the resilience of our planet. Before joining AIIB, Vera held leadership roles across leading international organizations. As Advisor to the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), she oversaw health programs across Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East. She also served as Senior Program Officer and founding team member of the Defeat NCD Partnership at UNOPS in Geneva, and as Director of ACCESS Health International, a global think tank and implementation partner working to accelerate health systems reform worldwide. Throughout her career, Vera has led pioneering initiatives in health financing, climate and health integration, digital innovation, and people-centered healthcare. She has contributed to the creation and management of key global collaborations, including the Center for Health Market Innovation and the Joint Learning Network for Universal Health Coverage. An entrepreneur at heart, Vera co-founded E-Pharma and continues to advise several health sector startups driving innovation and equity in care. Vera holds a Doctor of Psychology from UP and a Master’s in International Public Health from the University of Sydney. HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep76 onward excerpts from Vivaldi’s La Follia, played by Luca Jacobelli.

    47 min

  8. 10/30/2025

    Ep72 MDB Insights: Financing Nature-Based Solutions, ft Erik Berglof & JP Thia, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

    Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.com Discover how nature itself is becoming the new infrastructure shaping our future. In this episode, experts from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank reveal how wetlands, mangroves, and forests are not just scenery but powerful tools for climate resilience and sustainable economic growth. We discuss innovative finance solutions mobilising private capital, the challenges of valuing natural assets, and why protecting nature is critical for survival, economics, and smart planning. REF: INVESTING IN NATURE AS INFRASTRUCTURE ABOUT ERIK: Erik Berglof is the Bank’s inaugural Chief Economist. He sets the vision and strategy for the Economics Department and leads the planning, implementation and supervision of its work plan in support of the Bank’s mandate. Prior to joining AIIB in September 2020, he was Director of the Institute of Global Affairs, London School of Economics, and Chief Economist of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development from 2006 to 2015, where he was part of creating, and co-led, the Vienna Initiative, a European crisis response team credited with mitigating the impact of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. He is an expert in transition economics and institutional transformation through private sector development. He holds a PhD in Financial Economics and an MA in Business and Economics, both from the Stockholm School of Economics. Berglof is from Sweden. ABOUT JP: Jang Ping Thia joined the AIIB in 2016 and is currently the Lead Economist and the Manager of the Economics Department. The department is responsible for economic analysis at AIIB, covering country macroeconomics, debt sustainability analysis, review of project economics, to support investment operations. The department is also responsible for AIIB’s flagship publication, the Asian Infrastructure Finance report, which highlights infrastructure development and financing issues. He was previously with the Singapore Ministry of Finance, covering expenditures on security, sports, community and telecommunication infrastructure. With a PhD from the London School of Economics, he also held a stint as the Economics Director at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, overseeing economic forecasting, research and the development of the Economist Service. Working on trade and geography, infrastructure development and finance related issues, his research has been published in various journals. HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep76 onward excerpts from Vivaldi’s La Follia, played by Luca Jacobelli.

    50 min
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4.7
out of 5
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About

The podcast is a journey into the multifaceted world of climate business and finance trends in Asia. Featuring experienced experts and hosted by author, analyst, and investor Joseph Jacobelli, the non-profit podcast, delves into the latest trends and challenges, empowering listeners to navigate Asia’s ever-evolving sustainability and decarbonisation landscape.

Information

  • Creator
    Joseph Jacobelli
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    81
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Asia Clean Tech Energy Investments Co Ltd
  • Show Website
    The Asia Climate Finance Podcast

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