Green Shift

Austin Media

A rolling conversation on the struggles and successes of transitioning to a sustainable economy. Based in Singapore, we focus on stories from Asia that are missing from the broader international conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Decarbonising the Seas: Inside Shipping’s  Energy Transition

    16 SA. ÖNCE

    Decarbonising the Seas: Inside Shipping’s Energy Transition

    Shipping moves 80–90% of the world's trade—but it's also one of the hardest industries to decarbonise. In this episode of Green Shift, David Austin and Dr. Victor Nian sit down with Riccardo Barbiellini, maritime and energy transition specialist at Bureau Veritas' Future Shipping Team. Riccardo works at the intersection of shipping, regulation, and decarbonisation, helping one of the world's most essential sectors navigate the shift to a low-carbon future. We explore: • What a sustainable ASEAN port city looks like in 2040 • The IMO's MEPC 83 meeting and why political risk is slowing investment • Ammonia as a fuel: safety, toxicity, and whether it's a real solution • Where investment is actually going right now (LNG, AI, and efficiency) • Why top-down regulation is essential for hard-to-abate sectors • Singapore's MPA grants and the "sandbox" approach to ammonia trials • Biofuels from palm oil: plug-and-play potential vs. traceability problems • Nuclear-powered commercial shipping: silver bullet or essential option? • Bureau Veritas' timeline for commercially viable SMR vessels (2040) • Floating nuclear power plants for island nations Resources mentioned in this episode: White paper on nuclear energy in shipping: https://marine-offshore.bureauveritas.com/newsroom/bureau-veritas-contributes-new-industry-white-paper-role-nuclear-energy-shipping Technical review on maritime nuclear development: https://marine-offshore.bureauveritas.com/newsroom/maritime-nuclear-development Read the deeper dive: Prefer reading to listening? Each episode is turned into a rich, detailed blog post with additional analysis and context: https://greenshift.substack.com Follow Green Shift: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/[YOUR_CHANNEL_ID]?sub_confirmation=1 About Green Shift: Green Shift makes sense of the energy transition—from net zero and carbon markets to nuclear, renewables, and the policies shaping our future. Hosted by David Austin and Dr. Victor Nian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 dk.
  2. Carbon Without Borders: Harmonising CCS in Asia Pacific

    18 MAR

    Carbon Without Borders: Harmonising CCS in Asia Pacific

    Can Asia-Pacific build a cross-border carbon capture system—and make it actually work? In this episode of Green Shift, host David Austin and co-host James Balzer sit down with Kevin Pang (SVP at FutureScaleX) to unpack one of the most complex—and potentially transformative—climate solutions: Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). From Japan’s push to export CO₂, to Southeast Asia’s vast storage potential, this conversation explores the real-world challenges of turning CCS into a regional, scalable system. 🎯 Key Topics Covered: What CCS actually is (pre-combustion, post-combustion, oxy-fuel explained simply) Why transport—not storage—is the biggest bottleneck in Asia-Pacific The geopolitics of cross-border CO₂ (Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia) The economics: can CCS ever be commercially viable? Carbon credits vs real costs—where’s the tipping point? The role of state-owned enterprises and government incentives Why ASEAN’s geography (ports + industry clusters) is a hidden advantage The governance challenge: tracking CO₂ across borders (MRV systems) CCS as a transition solution, not a permanent fix And the big idea: could CO₂ become a valuable resource instead of waste? 💡 Standout Insight: If CO₂ can be converted into products like ethylene, it could unlock real market demand—turning climate policy into economic opportunity. 🌱 Why This Matters: Asia-Pacific is at the center of global growth—and emissions. Getting CCS right here could define whether the region can balance development with decarbonisation. 🔗 Related Episodes: Check out our previous deep dive on CCS governance https://youtu.be/uH5R-8oSOW8?si=rbGnpAgd1p6O3KWz 🔗Download James' policy brief, "Diagnosing Governance Dysfunctions of CCS in Indonesia" https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/ca134fed-3c95-42d1-bf19-decdd72df6d1/CSER_PB08_Diagnosing%20Governance%20Dysfunctions%20o.pdf 👍 Like, subscribe, and follow Green Shift for more conversations on the transition to a sustainable economy—through an Asia-focused lens. #CarbonCapture #CCS #Sustainability #EnergyTransition #AsiaPacific #ClimateTech #Decarbonisation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    35 dk.
  3. Aloe Vera Batteries: Eco-friendly products

    24.11.2025

    Aloe Vera Batteries: Eco-friendly products

    ♻️ Can Aloe Vera Power the Future? Inside the World’s First Aloe-Based Battery | Green Shift Podcast What if the batteries in your remote control, toys, or clocks were 100% eco-friendly, biodegradable, and even more powerful than regular alkaline batteries? 🌱🔋 This episode of Green Shift welcomes Nimisha Varma, co-founder of Aloe E-Cell, and Kash Singh, founder of Primea.Earth, to explore one of the most intriguing sustainability innovations coming out of India: batteries powered by aloe vera. Aloe E-Cell has created a non-toxic, biodegradable alternative to traditional household batteries—designed not only to perform better, but also to eliminate the massive e-waste problem created by the 89 billion batteries thrown away globally every year. In this episode, you'll learn: Why aloe vera is surprisingly ideal as a battery material How Aloe E-Cell batteries deliver 1.5x more performance than conventional AAs What “100% eco-friendly” really means in the context of battery chemistry How discarded batteries can be upcycled into fertilizer through their patented process The challenges of setting up a circular economy system across India Why human behaviour is hard to change—but products can be redesigned to make sustainability effortless The founders' journey: the setbacks, breakthroughs, and unwavering belief behind the innovation Their plans for AAA, button cells, rechargeable batteries, and future high-energy applications Whether you’re interested in sustainability, circular economy solutions, climate tech innovation, or the entrepreneurial stories behind world-changing ideas, this is a must-listen. 🔋 About Aloe E-Cell Aloe E-Cell is the world’s first aloe vera–based battery company, offering biodegradable, non-toxic AA batteries that outperform conventional alkaline options. They are currently expanding across India, Singapore, Mauritius, and beyond. https://www.aloeecell.com/ 🌿 About Primea.Earth Primea.Earth distributes sustainable products—including Aloe E-Cell batteries—in Singapore and Malaysia while promoting circular economy solutions. https://primea.earth/ 🎧 Listen to Green Shift A sustainability podcast hosted by David Austin and Dr. Victor Nian, featuring innovators and leaders accelerating the transition to a greener economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    31 dk.
  4. Designing Sustainability: Southeast Asia’s Research Frontier

    29.10.2025

    Designing Sustainability: Southeast Asia’s Research Frontier

    At the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), sustainability by design isn’t a slogan — it’s a mission. In this episode of Green Shift, hosts David Austin and Dr. Victor Nian speak with Ms. Corinna Choong, Chief Sustainability Officer and pioneer staff member at SUTD, about how the university is using design, technology, and research to drive sustainability impact — from AI-powered urban planning to biodiversity mapping and nature-based cooling on campus. Ms Choong also reflects on how thoughtful design can transform Southeast Asia’s cities — citing examples from Bangkok and Malaysia that illustrate how architecture, materials, and community planning can all contribute to resilience and decarbonisation. In this episode: 🌳 What “sustainability by design” means at SUTD 🤖 How AI, robotics, and research are reshaping urban systems 🏙️ Singapore’s role as a living lab for the region 💡 Real-world examples of sustainable design across Southeast Asia 💰 Breaking down barriers in green finance and policy 👩‍🎓 Advice for young innovators leading the next generation of change 🎧 Listen, learn, and be inspired to design boldly, act locally, and collaborate regionally. #Sustainability #DesignThinking #GreenShift #Singapore #SUTD #EnergyTransition #SoutheastAsia #ClimateAction #UrbanDesign #Innovation #AI #SmartCities Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    35 dk.
  5. Carbon Capture in Indonesia: Governance, Technology, and the Path to Net Zero

    14.10.2025

    Carbon Capture in Indonesia: Governance, Technology, and the Path to Net Zero

    🌏 Carbon Capture in Indonesia: Governance, Technology, and the Path to Net Zero | Green Shift Podcast Description: Indonesia is the first country in ASEAN to introduce national carbon capture and storage (CCS) regulations — but can it turn ambition into action? In this episode of Green Shift, host David Austin and co-host Dr. Victor Nian (Founding Co-Chair, Centre for Strategic Energy and Resources) sit down with James Balzer, strategic foresight practitioner and CSER affiliated expert, to unpack Indonesia’s emerging CCS landscape. They explore: 🔹 How carbon capture actually works — and why it matters for developing economies 🔹 The governance challenges slowing CCS adoption in Indonesia 🔹 Lessons from the Gundih CCS project and Presidential Regulation No. 14 (2024) 🔹 The role of markets, regulation, and public trust in the just energy transition Whether you’re a policymaker, researcher, or sustainability advocate, this deep dive offers a rare look at how climate governance, regulation, and real-world politics intersect in Southeast Asia’s energy future. To register for James' Workshop: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/workshop-diagnosing-governance-dysfunctions-in-ccs-regulation-in-indonesia-tickets-1814712426719 Find James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-balzer/ #EnergyTransition #CCS #CarbonCapture #Indonesia #ClimatePolicy #NetZero #Sustainability #GreenShiftPodcast #CSER #JustEnergyTransition Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 dk.

Hakkında

A rolling conversation on the struggles and successes of transitioning to a sustainable economy. Based in Singapore, we focus on stories from Asia that are missing from the broader international conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.