Climate Confident

Tom Raftery
  • 5.0 (25)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Climate Confident is the podcast for business leaders, policy-makers, and climate tech professionals who want real, practical strategies for cutting emissions and building a resilient low-carbon future. Every Wednesday at 7am CET, I sit down with the people doing the work, executives, engineers, scientists, founders, and policymakers, to unpack what’s actually driving climate progress across energy, transport, industry, supply chains, food, finance, and more. This isn’t about vague pledges or greenwash. It’s about what’s working, what isn’t, and what leaders need to understand now to make better decisions faster. Expect conversations on: scalable solutions in energy, mobility, food, industry, and financethe politics, markets, and policies shaping the transitionthe technologies and tools improving climate accountability, resilience, and risk managementhard truths, hidden bottlenecks, bold ideas, and real-world success storiesSubscribers also get Bonus episodes, including highlight reels, analysis, emerging themes I’m seeing across conversations, and other subscriber-only extras. You can still listen to the most recent episodes for free, and if you want to go deeper, subscription gives you more Climate Confident in your feed. Want to shape the conversation? Drop me a line anytime at Tom@tomraftery.com, whether it’s feedback, a guest suggestion, or just a hello. Ready to stop doomscrolling and start climate-doing? Hit follow and let’s get to work.

  1. Why Turbine Shortages Could Slow AI, Data Centres, and Decarbonisation

    2D AGO

    Why Turbine Shortages Could Slow AI, Data Centres, and Decarbonisation

    Send me a message AI may be booming, but the real bottleneck to it's growth may be turbines. And if firm power can’t scale fast enough, parts of the energy transition hit a wall. In this episode, I’m joined by Brad Hartwig, Co-founder and CEO of Arbor Energy, to unpack a part of the climate tech and energy transition story that gets far too little attention: the physical machinery needed to deliver reliable, round-the-clock power. Arbor is developing modular supercritical CO2 turbines with integrated carbon capture, aimed at tackling one of the hardest problems in decarbonisation: how to provide firm, scalable electricity while still driving emissions reduction and keeping net zero in view. We dig into why turbine shortages are becoming a serious constraint on hyperscale data centres, utilities, and industrial electrification, and you’ll hear why Brad believes this is now a critical choke point for both AI infrastructure and climate progress. You might be surprised to learn how stretched the traditional turbine supply chain has become, and why legacy manufacturers may be structurally mismatched to meet the moment. We also get into oxy-combustion, methane leakage, biomass, carbon sequestration, long-duration storage, and the awkward reality that wind, solar, batteries, and grid expansion, while essential, may still leave gaps when it comes to firm power. This is a grounded conversation about climate tech, policy, energy transition strategy, and what serious infrastructure thinking looks like when the easy slogans run out. 🎙️ Listen now to hear how Brad Hartwig and Arbor Energy are rethinking firm power for a faster, tougher, more honest climate transition. Support the show Podcast subscribers I'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's amazing subscribers: Anita KrajncCecilia SkarupaBen GrossJerry SweeneyAndreas WernerStephen CarrollRoger ArnoldAnd remember you too can Subscribe to the Podcast  - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Climate Confident episodes like this one, as well as give you access to the entire back catalog of Climate Confident episodes. Contact If you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - get in touch via direct message on LinkedIn.  If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover the show.

    45 min
  2. Geothermal Isn’t Just HVAC. It’s Grid Infrastructure

    MAR 18

    Geothermal Isn’t Just HVAC. It’s Grid Infrastructure

    Send me a message What if one of the biggest climate problems in our buildings isn’t power generation, but the fact we’re still burning fuel in the basement? In this episode, I’m joined by Dan Yates, CEO of Dandelion Energy, to unpack why geothermal may be one of the most overlooked tools in climate tech today, and why building decarbonisation deserves far more attention in the wider energy transition debate. If we’re serious about net zero and real emissions reduction, we need to stop treating heating as a side issue.  Dan lays out a blunt truth: heating and cooling account for the vast majority of emissions from buildings, yet much of the conversation still fixates on EVs, solar, and batteries. You’ll hear why some forms of electrification can create a nasty unintended consequence by driving winter peak demand through the roof, and why geothermal flips that logic on its head. We dig into how ground-source systems can cut energy use, slash peak load, and potentially reduce the need for expensive new grid infrastructure.  You might be shocked to learn that this isn’t just an HVAC story. It’s a grid story. A policy story. A housing story. We also get into cost, leasing, incentives, data, and why Dan believes geothermal should be seen as distributed infrastructure hiding in plain sight. If you want a clearer view of what practical climate action looks like beyond the usual talking points, this one’s worth your time.  🎙️ Listen now to hear how Dan Yates and Dandelion Energy are pushing a smarter, more strategic path to decarbonisation. Support the show Podcast subscribers I'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's amazing subscribers: Anita KrajncCecilia SkarupaBen GrossJerry SweeneyAndreas WernerStephen CarrollRoger ArnoldAnd remember you too can Subscribe to the Podcast  - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Climate Confident episodes like this one, as well as give you access to the entire back catalog of Climate Confident episodes. Contact If you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - get in touch via direct message on LinkedIn.  If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover the show.

    37 min
  3. Why Science Alone Won’t Deliver Climate Action

    MAR 11

    Why Science Alone Won’t Deliver Climate Action

    Send me a message What if the real barrier to climate action isn’t a lack of science, but a lack of pressure? And what happens when climate risk collides with political instability, fossil fuel dependence, and public anger in real time? In this episode, I’m joined by Professor Dana Fisher of American University, author of Saving Ourselves and one of the sharpest thinkers on climate activism, policy, and public mobilisation. We get into what she calls apocalyptic optimism: being brutally honest about the scale of the climate crisis, the democratic backsliding around it, and the need to act anyway. Because the stakes now are painfully clear. Emissions are still rising, climate impacts are becoming impossible to ignore, and the push for decarbonisation is being slowed by vested interests just as the cost of delay keeps rising. You’ll hear why Dana argues that science is necessary but insufficient for decision-making, and why public pressure is so often the real driver of climate policy, decarbonisation, and net zero progress. We dig into how repression can backfire, why climate shocks can shift public opinion, and why attempts to slow climate action may end up intensifying the response instead. We also explore why this conversation feels especially urgent now. As conflict, energy insecurity, and policy disruption expose the fragility of fossil fuel dependence, the case for clean energy starts to look less like idealism and more like common sense. From balcony solar to broader questions of power, protest, and public pressure, this episode looks at why the energy transition is about far more than technology. It’s about resilience, accountability, and who gets heard when the system is under strain. Dana's newsletter is at: https://danarfisher.com/apocalyptic-optimist/ And you can find her TED talk at: https://go.ted.com/danarfisher  🎙️ Listen now to hear how Dana Fisher reframes climate action, public pressure, and the real forces that move decarbonisation forward. Support the show Podcast subscribers I'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's amazing subscribers: Anita KrajncCecilia SkarupaBen GrossJerry SweeneyAndreas WernerStephen CarrollRoger ArnoldAnd remember you too can Subscribe to the Podcast  - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Climate Confident episodes like this one, as well as give you access to the entire back catalog of Climate Confident episodes. Contact If you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - get in touch via direct message on LinkedIn.  If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover the show.

    50 min
  4. Fashion’s 10% Emissions Problem, And the Utilisation Fix

    MAR 4

    Fashion’s 10% Emissions Problem, And the Utilisation Fix

    Send me a message What if the biggest climate lever in fashion isn’t better materials, but simply wearing clothes longer? The fashion industry accounts for roughly 10% of global carbon emissions and 20% of industrial water pollution. In this episode of Climate Confident, I’m joined by Phoebe Tan, co-founder of Taelor, a menswear rental subscription service using AI-driven styling and real-world garment data to rethink how we consume clothing. The challenge isn’t just fabric choice. It’s overproduction, underutilisation, and a system optimised for churn instead of longevity. We dig into how rental models can increase garment utilisation and reduce emissions by extending lifecycle wear. You’ll hear why durability data, wear rates, damage rates, wash cycles, may be more powerful than sustainability marketing. Phoebe explains how Taelor feeds performance insights back to brands, effectively becoming a live testing lab for quality and circularity. And we explore a hard truth: convenience often drives behaviour change faster than climate messaging ever will. If net zero requires rethinking consumption systems, fashion is a revealing case study. This isn’t about trends. It’s about utilisation density, supply chain feedback loops, and whether circular fashion can scale beyond a niche audience. 🎙️ Listen now to hear how Phoebe Tan and Taelor are challenging overproduction and pushing practical decarbonisation in climate tech and the energy transition. Support the show Podcast subscribers I'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's amazing subscribers: Anita KrajncCecilia SkarupaBen GrossJerry SweeneyAndreas WernerStephen CarrollRoger ArnoldAnd remember you too can Subscribe to the Podcast  - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Climate Confident episodes like this one, as well as give you access to the entire back catalog of Climate Confident episodes. Contact If you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - get in touch via direct message on LinkedIn.  If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover the show.

    31 min
  5. You Can’t Photograph CO₂: The Visual Bias Distorting the Energy Transition

    FEB 25

    You Can’t Photograph CO₂: The Visual Bias Distorting the Energy Transition

    Send me a message Coal produces 4,000–8,000x more waste per MWh than wind. But you can’t take a photo of CO₂, so we ignore it. In this episode, I’m joined by climate futurist and long-term decarbonisation modeller Michael Barnard. We cut through headlines to examine where the energy transition is actually heading - from electrification and maritime shipping to mass timber, industrial relocation, and grid efficiency. The stakes? Whether we build a cheaper, cleaner energy system, or cling to fossil-era assumptions. You’ll hear why electrifying everything could cut primary energy demand by up to half. We dig into how 40% of global shipping may simply disappear as fossil fuel trade declines. And you might be shocked to learn why solar panels and wind turbines create thousands of times less waste per MWh than coal, yet attract far more outrage. We also explore how cheap renewables are reshaping industrial geography, why Spain’s sunshine could outcompete former gas hubs, and how making electricity cheaper than fossil fuels changes everything. Interestingly, Seville’s iconic wooden “Setas” isn’t just architecture, it’s proof that mass timber can replace steel and concrete at scale, locking carbon into buildings instead of the atmosphere. This is climate tech grounded in physics, economics, and human behaviour, not hype. 🎙️ Listen now to hear how Michael Barnard reframes decarbonisation, net zero, and the real trajectory of the energy transition. Support the show Podcast subscribers I'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's amazing subscribers: Anita KrajncCecilia SkarupaBen GrossJerry SweeneyAndreas WernerStephen CarrollRoger ArnoldAnd remember you too can Subscribe to the Podcast  - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Climate Confident episodes like this one, as well as give you access to the entire back catalog of Climate Confident episodes. Contact If you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - get in touch via direct message on LinkedIn.  If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover the show.

    45 min
  6. AI Energy Demand, Grid Constraints & Decarbonisation

    FEB 18

    AI Energy Demand, Grid Constraints & Decarbonisation

    Send me a message AI’s energy demand isn’t a future problem. It’s straining grids today. And most companies aren’t ready. In this episode, I’m joined by Beatrice Clark, Vice President of Sustainability and Social Impact at Turtle and Hughes, a North American electrical distributor and systems integrator working at the sharp edge of the energy transition. We unpack what surging AI and data centre growth means for infrastructure, resilience, and real-world decarbonisation - not in theory, but on the ground. You’ll hear why energy demand from AI is now “on the tip of everybody’s tongue”, and how utilities and independent producers are scrambling to keep up. We dig into the tension between diesel reliability and microgrid ambition, and why hybrid redundancy may be the uncomfortable truth of the transition. You might be surprised to learn how fleet electrification looks when you’re moving heavy loads across unpredictable routes. It’s not ideology. It’s maths, logistics, and physics. We also explore double materiality, Scope 3 collaboration, and why sustainability only works when it strengthens operational performance. Net zero isn’t achieved in PowerPoint. It’s delivered through infrastructure, policy, and accountability across the value chain. If you care about climate tech, grid transformation, emissions reduction, and what decarbonisation actually looks like inside energy-intensive businesses, this conversation cuts through the noise. Listen now to hear how Beatrice Clark and Turtle and Hughes are navigating the hard realities of the energy transition. Support the show Podcast subscribers I'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's amazing subscribers: Anita KrajncCecilia SkarupaBen GrossJerry SweeneyAndreas WernerStephen CarrollRoger ArnoldAnd remember you too can Subscribe to the Podcast  - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Climate Confident episodes like this one, as well as give you access to the entire back catalog of Climate Confident episodes. Contact If you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - get in touch via direct message on LinkedIn.  If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover the show.

    46 min
  7. Designing Buildings for a Climate That No Longer Exists

    FEB 11

    Designing Buildings for a Climate That No Longer Exists

    Send me a message What if the biggest mistake in climate action is that we’re still designing buildings for a climate that no longer exists? In this episode of the Climate Confident Podcast, I’m joined by David Sellers, principal architect at Hawaii Offgrid Architecture & Engineering. David designs net-zero and off-grid buildings on Maui, not as an experiment, but because the climate he’s designing for is already shifting. Faster than most regulations, models, or assumptions can keep up. Buildings account for a huge share of global emissions, energy demand, and climate risk. Get the design wrong today, and we lock in higher emissions, higher costs, and lower resilience for decades. This conversation is about how to stop doing that. We dig into why designing with historical climate data is quietly undermining net zero goals, and why buildings completed today will spend most of their lives in a climate no human has experienced before. David explains how shifting wind patterns, rising temperatures, water scarcity, and fire risk are already breaking “best practice” design rules. You’ll hear why off-grid no longer means uncomfortable or compromised, and how advances in solar, batteries, heat pumps, and building envelopes have changed the economics completely. We also talk about fire-resistant construction after the Lahaina fires, reusing waste surfboard foam to create ultra-insulated building blocks, and why resilience that only the wealthy can afford isn’t resilience at all. This is a grounded, experience-driven look at climate tech, decarbonisation, and the energy transition, without the fantasy timelines or glossy nonsense. 🎙️ Listen now to hear how David Sellers is rethinking buildings for a future climate we can no longer ignore. Support the show Podcast subscribers I'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's amazing subscribers: Anita KrajncCecilia SkarupaBen GrossJerry SweeneyAndreas WernerStephen CarrollRoger ArnoldAnd remember you too can Subscribe to the Podcast  - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Climate Confident episodes like this one, as well as give you access to the entire back catalog of Climate Confident episodes. Contact If you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - get in touch via direct message on LinkedIn.  If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover the show.

    44 min
  8. Why Heat Pumps, Not Cars, Will Cut Urban Emissions Fastest

    FEB 4

    Why Heat Pumps, Not Cars, Will Cut Urban Emissions Fastest

    Send me a message Heating cities by opening windows is not a joke. It’s how many buildings still control temperature in winter, and it’s a climate disaster hiding in plain sight. In this episode, I’m joined by Drew Maggio, Technical Director at Highmark Building Efficiency, to unpack why buildings are one of the biggest, most underestimated levers in the climate transition, especially in dense cities like New York. Buildings account for roughly 70% of New York City’s emissions, yet much of the stock was designed for an era of cheap fossil fuels, crude controls, and worst-case thinking. Drew works at the sharp end of fixing that. We talk about what actually breaks when you try to electrify old buildings, and why bad assumptions, not bad technology, are slowing progress. You’ll hear why oversizing heat pumps for rare freezing days drives up costs and kills projects. We dig into how treating heat as a resource, not waste, unlocks massive gains, from wastewater heat recovery to capturing subway heat that currently just bakes tunnels to 100º F. And you might be surprised by how much energy can be recovered before it ever leaves a building. We also get into Local Law 97, New York’s landmark building emissions regulation, and why it’s forcing real-world change instead of glossy pledges. This is a grounded, practical conversation about decarbonisation, climate tech, policy, and the uncomfortable reality that many “heritage” systems are simply uncontrolled systems we’ve tolerated for too long. 🎙️ Listen now to hear how to turn building decarbonisation from a compliance headache into a genuine climate solution. Support the show Podcast subscribers I'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's amazing subscribers: Anita KrajncCecilia SkarupaBen GrossJerry SweeneyAndreas WernerStephen CarrollRoger ArnoldAnd remember you too can Subscribe to the Podcast  - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Climate Confident episodes like this one, as well as give you access to the entire back catalog of Climate Confident episodes. Contact If you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - get in touch via direct message on LinkedIn.  If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover the show.

    44 min
See All (265)

5
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

Climate Confident is the podcast for business leaders, policy-makers, and climate tech professionals who want real, practical strategies for cutting emissions and building a resilient low-carbon future. Every Wednesday at 7am CET, I sit down with the people doing the work, executives, engineers, scientists, founders, and policymakers, to unpack what’s actually driving climate progress across energy, transport, industry, supply chains, food, finance, and more. This isn’t about vague pledges or greenwash. It’s about what’s working, what isn’t, and what leaders need to understand now to make better decisions faster. Expect conversations on: scalable solutions in energy, mobility, food, industry, and financethe politics, markets, and policies shaping the transitionthe technologies and tools improving climate accountability, resilience, and risk managementhard truths, hidden bottlenecks, bold ideas, and real-world success storiesSubscribers also get Bonus episodes, including highlight reels, analysis, emerging themes I’m seeing across conversations, and other subscriber-only extras. You can still listen to the most recent episodes for free, and if you want to go deeper, subscription gives you more Climate Confident in your feed. Want to shape the conversation? Drop me a line anytime at Tom@tomraftery.com, whether it’s feedback, a guest suggestion, or just a hello. Ready to stop doomscrolling and start climate-doing? Hit follow and let’s get to work.

Information

  • Creator
    Tom Raftery
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    265
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Climate Confident
  • Show Website
    Climate Confident

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