Invested In Climate

Jason Rissman
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Invested In Climate

Invested in Climate hosts conversations with leading thinkers to help our listeners do more to address the climate crisis through their Work, Investments, Learning, Lifestyle and Activism. People everywhere, communities, governments and all sectors of the economy are mobilizing to address climate change. The scale of this global action is unprecedented. Never before have so many people dedicated so much energy, creativity and capital to addressing a shared, global threat. Will it be enough? What else is needed? And, most importantly, what can you do? We all have a part to play, so let’s go.

  1. Tapping the trillion dollar government edge with Overture VC

    OCT 29

    Tapping the trillion dollar government edge with Overture VC

    Every once in a while I come across an investment firm with a really different edge and perspective. Overture VC is one such firm. Their specialty is policy – not just understanding the unique opportunities climate tech companies have with government incentives and helping them navigate that tricky terrain, but also actually lobbying for policies that’ll benefit their portfolio companies.  In the words of Overture Founder and Managing Partner Shomik Dutta, there’s a $1.2 trillion dollar wall of government money coming downhill for climate companies. So Overture’s edge is meaningful and can make a big difference for a wide range of companies. Shomik and I discussed his background, how he moved into investing from politics, the opportunities recent climate policy has created for startups, examples of Overture’s portfolio companies and how the firm has helped them, and much more, including what’s at stake in the upcoming election. Speaking of the election – it’s next week. If you don’t yet have a plan for how to get your ballot in or haven’t called your friends and family to make sure they’re voting, now’s the time. Shomik mentions a mobile app called Reach – a great tool to help you contact people you know in swing states. In today’s episode, we cover:[03:01] Shomik Dota's Background and Transition to Investing[06:05] Overture VC's Unique Approach and Government Incentives [09:12] The Role of Government in Climate Tech and Overture's Strategy[12:44] Overture's Portfolio and Specific Investments[16:56] Examples of Overture's Work and Impact[20:45] Overture's Fund and Investment Focus[23:05] Election Impact on Climate Policy[25:41] Future Policy Needs and Final Thoughts Resources MentionedOverture VCReach Connect with Shomik DuttaConnect with Shomik on LinkedIn Connect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn Twitter Keep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitter Have feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

    27 min
  2. Can fashion be sustainable? An inside look with Jason Kibbey & Evan Wiener

    OCT 22

    Can fashion be sustainable? An inside look with Jason Kibbey & Evan Wiener

    The apparel industry has a massive impact on the environment. The industry is the second-highest consumer of water and it drives almost 10% of global carbon emissions. Despite thousands of smart people working to make this industry cleaner and all sorts of investments by brands, emissions are still increasing.  To learn about this problem and get an inside look at the efforts to address it, I caught up with two old friends, Jason Kibbey and Evan Wiener.  Jason was the founder of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and more recently a technology company called Worldly that helps businesses track their supply chains. Evan is a sustainability expert at McKinsey & Company who previously worked at Nike and H&M.  These guys know the fashion industry inside and out. We talked about the state of sustainability in the apparel industry, the challenges of competitive and pricing pressures, the role of legislation, the opportunity for startups, the questionable authenticity of corporate sustainability aspirations, what needs to change, and much more.  This is an industry that simply needs to change dramatically, and I learned a lot about how we might get there. Let’s go. In today’s episode, we cover:[03:07] Backgrounds of Jason Kibbe and Evan Wiener[08:19] Environmental and Societal Impact of the Apparel Industry[11:11] Progress and Challenges in Sustainability Efforts[16:16] Role of Regulation and Industry Response[25:31] Opportunities for Startups and Innovation[37:33] Consumer and Investor Roles in Sustainability[42:50] Reconciling Optimism with Industry Challenges[44:51] Conclusion and Final Thoughts Resources MentionedCascale (formerly Sustainable Apparel Coalition)WorldlyMcKinsey & Company  Connect with Jason Kibbey and Evan WienerConnect with Jason on LinkedInConnect with Evan on LinkedIn Connect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn Twitter Keep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitter

    46 min
  3. Bridge loans to the rescue with Open Road

    OCT 1

    Bridge loans to the rescue with Open Road

    If you’re an avid listener, you might know I’m always interested in learning about ways we might improve financial markets for climate ventures. Improving the flow of capital can, of course, be incredibly impactful in helping more climate solutions scale successfully. So I was really excited when I learned about Open Road and the important role they’re playing by offering bridge loans to promising companies.  Ok, maybe bridge loans don't sound that sexy to you? Think of it this way: if you’re an entrepreneur, what could be worse than running out of money? How about running out of money when you already have significant funding lined up just not yet in-hand. The sad truth is that this happens all the time – companies go under because they simply can’t keep paying salaries or buying supplies while they wait for financing to arrive. That’s the financing gap that Open Road has been addressing for over 10 years. In this conversation with Open Road CEO Caroline Bressan we talked about her background in impact investing, Open Road’s history, how their loans have unlocked 10 times the amount of capital, their climate portfolio, and more. In today’s episode, we cover:[03:08] Caroline’s background & role before Open Road[04:09] Learning from Calvert that shaped Caroline[05:13] Open Road, how did it start & the problem it's aiming to address[06:46] Financing gaps related to climate: The valley of death & the missing middle[08:37] Investment reach & focus in Sub-Saharan Africa[10:31] Finding & selecting portfolio companies[12:21] The type of impact Open Road has had[13:24] The need for bridge funding beyond what is provided[15:23] Open Road’s repayment rate[17:39] How much of lending has gone to energy, ag & other climate-related companies[21:01] Types of businesses Open Road has supported[26:30] What’s next for Open Road Resources MentionedOpen Road Connect with Caroline BressanConnect with Caroline on LinkedIn Connect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn Twitter Keep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitter Have feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

    30 min
  4. Staying cool and saving energy with Mojave HVAC

    SEP 24

    Staying cool and saving energy with Mojave HVAC

    After a summer of record heat waves, I’m sure we’re all grateful for air conditioning. And we know, it’s not just about comfort or productivity, but with extreme heat, being able to cool buildings keeps people safe. Yet, it comes at a cost: air conditioning today is responsible for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions and demand is set to triple by 2050. Maybe you’re thinking that heat pumps are the answer and will come to the rescue? They’re certainly an important part of the solution, but until electric heat pumps are plugged into a grid that is fully powered by clean energy, efficiency matters a great deal. Enter Mojave HVAC. Their liquid desiccant technology can cut the energy needed for cooling commercial spaces by 30-50%. For today’s conversation, I’m joined by Mojave Founder & CEO Phil Farese. We spoke about Phil’s past and how he learned about the economics of energy efficiency, Mojave’s business model, technology, and its potential role in keeping us cool without overheating the planet. Here we go. In today’s episode, we cover:[03:01] Phil’s background & what led him to founding Mojave HVAC[05:07] Mojave & the problem that they’re solving[07:24] The limitations of heat pumps [10:36] Focusing on efficiency & using less energy for our HVAC needs[13:53] How Mojave’s technology was developed & where the business is at [16:04] Mohave’s target market & how sales are progressing [17:21] Other insights on Mohave’s product [18:21] The overall opportunity for business & impact[19:42] Emissions savings through technology adoption[20:25] Drivers of demand for Mohave’s product[22:26] The pros & cons of the liquid desiccants debate[25:37] Mohave’s next milestone & the biggest challenges[26:41] Blind spots in addressing climate change & buildings[29:27] Today’s climate innovation ecosystem & how it needs to improve Resources MentionedMojave HVAC Connect with Phil FareseConnect with Phil on LinkedIn Connect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn Twitter Keep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitter Have feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

    32 min
  5. How environmentalists could decide the election

    SEP 17

    How environmentalists could decide the election

    We’re weeks away from a historic election. It’s one that will decide the course of climate action in the United States at a pivotal moment, a moment when we can’t afford to slow down or send mixed signals abroad. And, it’s an election that all expect to be decided by just tens of thousands of voters.  These are all facts that I’m sure you know already.  Here’s what you probably don’t know: millions of environmentalists don’t vote. These are people who list the environment and climate change as their number one most important issue – and getting just 1-2% of them to vote could easily decide the election.  This is the premise and work of the Environmental Voter Project. They’re a nonpartisan nonprofit organization, not focusing on a particular party, but instead focusing on protecting the environment simply by getting environmentalists to the polls. I learned a lot from my conversation with EVP Founder and Executive Director Nathaniel Stinnett. We talked about the difference between voter preferences and priorities, who these non-voting environmentalists are, and what actually works in getting them to vote. The answer to that riddle and much else in this episode might surprise you. In today’s episode, we cover:[03:18] What's at stake in the 2024 election?[04:40] The implications for climate[07:14] How local elections influence environmental policy[08:56] Public sentiment on the environment[11:13] The distinction between voter preference & voter prioritization[13:28] The lack of voter turnout among environmentalists[15:06] Why aren’t environmentalists voting[20:21] Fossil fuel PR campaigns [21:24] Environmental Voter Project & what they’re doing to engage[23:55] The most resonant, persuasive, helpful message to motivate behavior change[27:31] Measuring EVP’s impact  [30:00] What is EVP hoping to achieve this year [32:49] The sensitivity analysis for EVP Resources MentionedEnvironmental Voter Project Connect with Nathaniel StinnettConnect with Nathaniel on LinkedIn Connect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn Twitter Keep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitter Have feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

    48 min
  6. Investing in Public Climate Companies with ScopeFour Capital

    SEP 11

    Investing in Public Climate Companies with ScopeFour Capital

    If you believe the climate transition is creating trillions of dollars of opportunity, then backing public companies whose business models are centered on that transition and whose growth will be driven by it seems an almost obvious approach.  That’s exactly what Heather Beatty and ScopeFour Capital are doing, and I was excited to hear what they’re learning and the opportunities they see. In this conversation, we talk about Heather’s background and how she came to found ScopeFour after decades in institutional investing.  We talk about their approach, their portfolio, and the opportunities they’re excited about. We talk about the election, how it's influencing their investing in the short term, and the potential long-term implications. We talk about green hushing the resilience of corporate climate action, and much more. Lots to think about in this one. Here we go. In today’s episode, we cover:[2:45] Heather’s background & what got her interested in climate [5:50] The founding of ScopeFour[7:54] Why aren’t we investing by following science & research[9:48] ScopeFour & what they’re aiming to do[11:32] What’s unique about ScopeFour[13:49] What to say to naysayers of climate investing[15:22] Specific examples of investments ScopeFour has made[17:06] Exciting spaces and opportunities right now for climate investing[18:45] What can be done to encourage faster adoption of climate tech[21:08] Tying emissions reductions to the size of an opportunity[23:24] Climate risk as a factor in investment decisions[24:58] The short-term & long-term impacts of the upcoming election[29:35] What we know about Kamala Harris’ interest in climate Resources MentionedScopeFour CapitalProject DrawdownInvested in Climate: Every job is a climate job with Project Drawdown, Ep #37EnphaseABBNexans Connect with Heather BeattyConnect with Heather on LinkedIn Connect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn Twitter Keep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitter Have feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or...

    35 min
  7. Wellington Management's $385m Climate Fund with Greg Wasserman

    AUG 27

    Wellington Management's $385m Climate Fund with Greg Wasserman

    I’m always excited to talk to climate investors who have been around for a bit, those who were investing during the Cleantech 1.0 phase, saw the ups and the downs, and have stuck through to our current climate tech boom. Some of the challenges that the earlier era of cleantech investing saw – like high capex and long payback periods – are still relevant today, and experienced investors offer nuanced insights into current opportunities and what the future might hold. I was thrilled to talk to Greg Wasserman. Greg started investing in clean energy almost 20 years ago at Goldman Sachs. I’ll let you hear the twists and turns of his background directly from him, but suffice to say he fits the bill of someone who’s worn multiple prestigious hats to finance climate solutions. Greg recently closed a new $385 million climate fund at Wellington Management, one of the world’s largest independent investment management firms with over $1 trillion AUM. We talk about Greg’s journey, how climate investing has changed, what he’s currently excited about, opportunities for the future, and much more. In today’s episode, we cover:[3:03] Greg’s background & what got him interested in climate investing[5:30] Greg’s experience at Goldman Sachs[6:54] Greg’s experience at the Clinton Foundation[9:47] Greg’s experience at Generation Four Investment Management[13:53] Wellington & what it’s known for[15:19] Wellington’s Climate Fund[17:42] Leveraging resources & resources for Wellington’s fund[20:20] The state of climate investing[22:32] Interesting innovations & where the fund is focused[24:40] The influence of blockchain technology in climate solutions[26:28] Measuring impact of the fund[29:14] Wellington’s investment in Orennia[31:54] Wellington’s investment in SPAN[34:56] What’s coming in the next 5-10 years for climate investing Resources MentionedWellington ManagementOrenniaSPAN Connect with Greg WassermanConnect with Greg on LinkedIn Connect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn Twitter Keep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitter Have feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

    38 min
  8. Inside IBM's sustainability strategy with Justina Nixon-Saintil

    JUL 23

    Inside IBM's sustainability strategy with Justina Nixon-Saintil

    It’s a sad truth that many companies are struggling or failing to meet their sustainability targets. Sensitive to anti-ESG pressure, interest rates, and other macro factors, many are also holding back from making new commitments. Currently, less than 10% of the Fortune Global 500 has a net zero commitment in place.  Amidst this context, it's all the more important to shine a light on the companies that have made ambitious targets and that are working hard to achieve them.  IBM is one such company. They began disclosing their CO2 emissions 30 years ago, and since 2010, they’ve cut emissions by nearly 70%. That’s not to say their path is without challenges. They’ve made a big bet on AI, which of course drives up energy usage dramatically.  To understand IBM’s sustainability strategy and progress, I was pleased to sit down with IBM Chief Impact Officer Justina Nixon-Saintil. Justina is a member of NationSwell, the executive membership network where I work. We talked about Justina’s background and role, the main focus areas for sustainability at IBM, some of their successes and challenges, how AI factors into the mix, their sustainability accelerator program, and much more.  If you’re interested in how big companies think about the climate crisis and how they can make a difference, there’s a lot to enjoy this episode. Here we go. On today's episode, we cover:[3:23] Justina’s background & what led her to her current role at IBM[6:06] Justina’s role, responsibilities & things she’s thinking about everyday[8:59] The pillars & priorities of IBM's sustainability strategy[10:29] The approach to influencing those stakeholders[12:46] Challenges being faced and the gap between companies & their targets[14:36] Challenges in reaching your decarbonization goals[16:19] AI & sustainability[19:31] IBM Sustainability Accelerator: Focus areas & what’s new[22:44] Organizations that have joined the accelerator & how they’re benefiting[25:07] The struggles & challenges that organizations are facing[27:23] Other climate tech spaces where Justina sees an opportunity for AI[28:09] IBM SkillsBuild: About the program & priorities[32:25] Advice for addressing climate change & other environmental challenges today Resources MentionedIBM Impact: EnvironmentIBM Sustainability AcceleratorIMB SkillsBuild Connect with Justina Nixon-SaintilConnect with Justina on LinkedIn Connect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn Twitter Keep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our Newslettera href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/invested-in-climate/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_search_srp_all%3BkrFcZjBVSlW%2BTcjtAzAeow%3D%3D" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    36 min
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About

Invested in Climate hosts conversations with leading thinkers to help our listeners do more to address the climate crisis through their Work, Investments, Learning, Lifestyle and Activism. People everywhere, communities, governments and all sectors of the economy are mobilizing to address climate change. The scale of this global action is unprecedented. Never before have so many people dedicated so much energy, creativity and capital to addressing a shared, global threat. Will it be enough? What else is needed? And, most importantly, what can you do? We all have a part to play, so let’s go.

Information

  • Creator
    Jason Rissman
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2024
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 Jason Rissman
  • Show Website
    Invested In Climate

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