The Earth Set Podcast

Earth Set
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Earth Set brings together the people shaping a net positive future: founders, investors, scientists, and policymakers who are rethinking how we live, work, and grow on a changing planet. Each episode is recorded live at our monthly events in London, where big ideas collide and real collaborations begin. From clean energy and biodiversity to the future of work and regenerative business, Earth Set explores what’s working, what’s not, and what’s next. Listen, get inspired, and be part of the movement toward a thriving planet for people and nature. Find upcoming events at www.earthset.co

  1. 18H AGO

    What the UK Is Getting Right: Geothermal Energy and Future-Focused Policy

    This week’s episode comes from the Eden Project in Cornwall, where Amy Rennison and Fiona Howarth speak to two very different — but equally important — voices in the transition. First, Augusta Grand, CEO of Eden Geothermal, shares the story of bringing geothermal energy to the UK — from early resistance to wind power through to the realities of drilling, financing and scaling a new energy source. The conversation explores why geothermal has long been overlooked, how rapidly the technology is advancing, and why it could play a critical role in both electricity and heat. Then, Amy speaks with Jane Davidson, former Welsh minister and architect of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act — one of the most ambitious pieces of sustainability legislation in the world. They discuss how the Act came to life, what it has changed, and how it is now shaping Wales’ approach to long-term decision making and net zero. Together, these conversations explore two sides of the same challenge: how we move from ambition to delivery — whether that’s building new energy infrastructure or redesigning the systems that govern it. If the transition depends on both technology and institutions, the real question becomes this: how do we align innovation, policy and people to actually deliver change at scale? In this episode you’ll learn: What geothermal energy is and why it has been underutilised in the UK How advances in drilling technology are rapidly improving the economics of geothermal The difference between geothermal for electricity and geothermal for heat — and why heat matters most Why countries like France, Germany and the Netherlands are ahead on geothermal deployment The role of government policy, funding and market design in unlocking new energy technologies How local energy systems, data centres and grid constraints are shaping future infrastructure decisions What the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act is and why it is unique globally The shift from a “duty to promote” to a “duty to deliver” in public policy How long-term thinking is embedded into Welsh governance across all public institutions Real-world examples of how the Act has influenced procurement, planning and community outcomes Why political systems struggle with long-term decision making — and how this can change How Wales is approaching net zero through a delivery-focused, system-wide plan The importance of making climate policy tangible, practical and accessible to the public Resources & Links Eden Geothermal – Project and research on geothermal energy in the UK Wellbeing of Future Generations Act (Wales) – Framework for long-term, sustainable governance. 🎟️ Join Earth Set Live We host monthly live events in London featuring founders, investors and policy leaders shaping the transition to a resilient, regenerative economy. First Tuesday of every month. Grab tickets here: 👉 earthset.co⁠ If you enjoyed this episode please take a moment to: Leave 5 stars Write a quick review Share the episode with someone interested in climate technology, innovation or industrial strategy It helps more people discover the show. Thanks for listening — see you at the next live event or in your feed soon.

    48 min

  2. MAR 30

    The People Problem at the Heart of The Green Transition

    Behind every climate solution lies a human challenge. A challenge not just of technology or capital, but of people — the skills, training and pathways needed to turn ambition into reality. In this episode, Fiona Howarth sits down with Rich Tyrie, CEO of GoodPeople, to explore the growing green skills gap and what it will take to close it. From building talent pipelines to connecting local communities with meaningful work, Rich shares insights from over a decade of experience working at the intersection of employment, social impact and the energy transition. The conversation explores why millions of workers will need to be reskilled, why the current system struggles to keep up, and why solving the skills gap is as much about coordination and collaboration as it is about education. If the transition to net zero depends on people, the real question becomes this: how do we build a workforce ready to deliver it? Why the UK needs millions of workers to be reskilled for the energy transition What the “green skills gap” actually means — and why it’s bigger than most people think How labour market fragmentation makes it harder to match people with opportunities Why many “green jobs” aren’t obvious — from scaffolders to finance roles The difference between “dark green” and “light green” skills Why education systems struggle to keep pace with changing workforce demands The role of employers in shaping future talent pipelines How social value and procurement are influencing business behaviour Why early engagement with schools and young people is critical How place-based approaches can unlock more inclusive access to jobs What’s driving collaboration in regions like Greater Manchester Practical ways individuals can explore and access green careers today Net Zero Careers – Explore green jobs, training pathways and opportunities across the UK 🎟️ Join Earth Set Live We host monthly live events in London featuring founders, investors and policy leaders shaping the transition to a resilient, regenerative economy. First Tuesday of every month. Grab tickets here: 👉 earthset.co⁠ Please take a moment to: Leave 5 stars Write a quick review Share the episode with someone interested in climate technology, innovation or industrial strategy It helps more people discover the show. Thanks for listening — see you at the next live event or in your feed soon. In this episode you’ll learn:Resources & LinksIf you enjoyed this episode

    38 min

  3. MAR 23

    Bridging the Valley of Death: Scaling First-of-a-Kind Climate Tech in the UK

    Behind every breakthrough climate technology lies a quieter, more fragile moment. The point where innovation has been proven, but scaling it into the real world becomes uncertain, expensive and deeply complex. In this episode, Amy Rennison sits down with Sarah Macintosh of Cleantech for UK and Jim Totty of Virdis Capital to explore one of the most critical — and least understood — challenges in the climate transition: the “first-of-a-kind” gap, often referred to as the valley of death. Drawing on their recent research with Cleantech for UK, the conversation unpacks why so many promising climate technologies struggle to reach commercial scale, despite strong early innovation and growing global demand. From funding gaps and capability challenges to risk perception and policy design, this episode explores the systemic barriers holding back the next generation of industrial climate solutions — and what it will take to unlock them. If the technologies to decarbonise already exist, the real question becomes this: why are so few of them making it to full-scale deployment? In this episode you’ll learn: What “first-of-a-kind” projects are and why they sit at the hardest stage of climate innovation Why the transition from pilot to commercial scale is so difficult for climate tech companies The funding gap between venture capital and infrastructure finance — and why it persists How founders must shift their narrative from “innovative and unique” to “bankable and low-risk” The critical role of offtake agreements, supply contracts and project finance structures Why internal capabilities — from leadership teams to technical validation — can make or break scaling How the UK compares to the US, Europe and Asia in supporting climate technology deployment The impact of energy prices and market structures on where projects get built What policy tools (like contracts for difference, procurement and guarantees) can unlock progress Why ecosystem fragmentation — across investors, corporates, government and service providers — remains a major barrier The scale of the UK’s pipeline of climate projects and where the biggest opportunities lie Why this is not just a capital problem, but a systems and coordination challenge Resources & Links Cleantech for UK – Research on first-of-a-kind climate projects and scaling challenges 🎟️ Join Earth Set Live We host monthly live events in London featuring founders, investors and policy leaders shaping the transition to a resilient, regenerative economy. First Tuesday of every month. Grab tickets here: 👉 earthset.co⁠ If you enjoyed this episode Please take a moment to: Leave 5 stars Write a quick review Share the episode with someone interested in climate technology, innovation or industrial strategy It helps more people discover the show. Thanks for listening — see you at the next live event or in your feed soon.

    38 min

  4. MAR 16

    Volt Rush: How China Won the Battery Race

    Behind every electric car sits a far older and more complex story. A story about minerals, mining, geopolitics and a global race to control the materials that power the energy transition. In this episode, Fiona Howarth sits down with Henry Sanderson, Financial Times journalist and author of Volt Rush, to explore the hidden history of electric vehicles and the critical minerals that make them possible. From the early experiments of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, to the rise of lithium-ion batteries and China’s dominance of global battery supply chains, Henry unpacks how electric vehicles became viable and why the competition for minerals like lithium, cobalt and nickel is now shaping global politics. The conversation explores how China built its battery industry, why Western countries are scrambling to catch up, and why the clean energy transition still depends heavily on mining, metals and industrial supply chains. If the world is electrifying everything, the real question becomes this: who controls the materials that make electrification possible? In this episode you’ll learn: The surprising early history of electric cars and why they nearly won the race against gasoline vehicles over a century agoHow lithium-ion batteries unlocked the modern EV revolutionWhy minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel and graphite are essential to the clean energy transitionHow China built dominance across the global battery supply chainWhy Western countries struggle to finance new mining projectsHow geopolitics, trade policy and subsidies are reshaping the EV industryThe tension between sustainable mining and the massive demand for critical mineralsWhat the next generation of battery technology and energy storage could look likeResources & Links Henry Sanderson – Volt Rush: The Winners and Losers in the Race to Go Green 🎟️ Join Earth Set Live We host monthly live events in London featuring founders, investors and policy leaders shaping the transition to a resilient, regenerative economy. First Tuesday of every month. Grab tickets here:👉 earthset.co If you enjoyed this episode Please take a moment to: Leave 5 starsWrite a quick reviewShare the episode with someone interested in clean energy, geopolitics or the future of electric vehiclesIt helps more people discover the show. Thanks for listening — see you at the next live event or in your feed soon.

    36 min

  5. MAR 9

    Carbon Removal for Sale: What’s Real, What’s Hype, and Who Pays?

    What if one of the most important industries for solving climate change barely exists today? The world is getting better at reducing emissions. Renewable energy is scaling. Electrification is accelerating. Efficiency is improving. But even in the most optimistic climate scenarios, billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide will still need to be removed from the atmosphere every year. In this Earth Set conversation, Amy brings together three experts working on the emerging carbon removal economy to unpack what that actually means. Codie Rossi, Director of Carbon Management and Markets at the Clean Air Task Force, works on the policy frameworks shaping carbon removal markets. Richard Barker, Partner at Counteract, advises investors and companies on carbon strategy and the realities of scaling climate technologies. Swarnali Mitra, Director at CUR8, builds portfolios of carbon removal projects for corporate buyers navigating the early market. Together they explore how carbon removal works, why it’s becoming central to climate strategy, and why building this industry could be one of the largest economic transitions of the coming decades. Humanity emits roughly 55–60 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases every year. Most climate pathways now suggest the world will also need 5–15 billion tonnes of carbon removal annually to stabilise global temperatures. Today, we remove only a tiny fraction of that. This conversation explores the gap between those numbers, the technologies trying to close it, and the financial and policy systems that will determine whether carbon removal becomes a defining industry of the 21st century. In this episode you’ll learn Why cutting emissions alone won’t be enough to stabilise the climateWhat carbon removal actually is and how it differs from carbon capture and offsetsWhy the world may need billions of tonnes of removals every yearHow approaches like direct air capture, mineralisation and ocean-based removal workWhy carbon removal markets are still at a very early stageThe financing challenge of building projects before buyers existHow corporate buyers are helping to create early demandWhy measurement, verification and trust are critical to scaling the sectorHow carbon removal could become embedded across industries from agriculture to constructionWhy this conversation matters Carbon removal sits at the intersection of climate science, finance, technology and policy. If the world is serious about stabilising atmospheric carbon levels, a whole new industrial system will need to be built to remove CO₂ and store it safely. That system is only just beginning. Understanding how it might develop is key for investors, policymakers, founders and anyone interested in the future of climate solutions. 🎟️ Join Earth Set Live Earth Set hosts monthly conversations in London with founders, investors and policymakers working on the transition to a resilient, regenerative economy. First Tuesday of every month. Grab tickets here👉 earthset.co ⭐ If you enjoyed this episode Please take a moment to: Leave a ratingWrite a short reviewShare the episode with someone interested in climate innovation, climate finance or the future of net zeroIt helps more people discover the show. Thanks for listening — see you at the next live event or in your feed soon.

    1h 26m

  6. MAR 2

    Greenlash: Understanding Climate Change Opposition

    If two thirds of the public believe climate change is real, support renewables, and want government action… why does it feel like net zero is suddenly on shaky ground? At February’s Earth Set Live, we took on one of the most consequential shifts in the transition right now: the rise of climate opposition inside mainstream politics. This was a serious look at what’s actually driving the backlash. Energy bills. Industrial decline. Security fears. Media narratives. Political realignment. Fiona Howarth was joined by: Luke Shore, Deputy CEO at Project Tempo Alex Carr, Deputy Director at Clean Air Task Force (CATF) Sam Hall, Director of the Conservative Environment Network Together, they unpacked what’s really happening beneath the headlines. In this episode you’ll learn: Why public belief in climate change remains high — but urgency has slipped behind cost of living pressuresHow energy prices became the fault line in UK climate politicsWhy “net zero” polls worse than “climate action” — and what that means for communicationWhat’s behind the growing divide between Conservative voters and Conservative leadershipWhether Clean Power 2030 is a strategic masterstroke or a political vulnerabilityThe industrial trilemma facing Europe: decarbonise, stay competitive, keep industryWhy renewables curtailment has become such a powerful symbol in the debateWhether moving levies from electricity to gas would ease the pressure or inflame itHow media framing shapes public perception more than most climate advocates admitAnd whether democracy is capable of delivering long-term climate strategy in short political cyclesKey threads that emerged Affordability now drives the politics. The debate has shifted. It is no longer primarily about whether climate change is real. It is about who pays, when, and how much. Climate is now industrial strategy. Energy security, supply chains, clean manufacturing and geopolitical competition are shaping climate policy as much as emissions targets. Market design may matter more than targets. Grid reform, storage, electrification incentives and pricing structures could determine whether the transition accelerates or stalls. Public support is not collapsing. Despite louder opposition voices, broad support for climate action remains resilient. The challenge is reconnecting the transition to tangible everyday benefit. Episode Sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Clean Air Task Force (CATF). CATF is a global nonprofit working to safeguard against the worst impacts of climate change by accelerating the development and deployment of low-carbon energy and other climate-protecting technologies. With more than 25 years of internationally recognised expertise in climate policy, CATF is known for its pragmatic, non-ideological approach, focused on what works at scale. From industrial decarbonisation and clean firm power to methane reduction and advanced technologies, CATF works across policy, innovation and markets to help deliver durable climate solutions. Learn more about their work at:https://www.catf.us/ Join Earth Set live Earth Set convenes founders, policymakers, investors and operators shaping how the green transition actually happens. We meet monthly in London. First Tuesday of every month. Tickets and details: earthset.co If you enjoyed this episode, please... Leave a rating.Share it with someone working at the intersection of climate and policy.Join us in person next month.The transition will not be decided by technology alone. It will be shaped by politics, economics and public trust. See you at the next event.

    1h 47m

  7. FEB 23

    Climate Tech at the Start of 2026

    What actually happened in UK climate tech investment last year? At our second live recording of Season Two, hosted at HSBC Innovation Banking during the Blue Earth Investment Forum in January, we brought the data to the table. No anecdotes, no gossip. Just numbers, trends and a candid look at what they mean for 2026. Amy was joined by Sarah Mackintosh, Director at Cleantech for UK, and Sammy Fry, Head of Climate Tech at Tech Nation. Between them, they track thousands of startups, billions in capital flows, and the policy frameworks shaping the sector. The headline? 2025 was not the collapse some feared. Total equity funding reached £3.9bn, debt and project finance continued to grow, and the UK remains surprisingly stable relative to its size. But beneath that surface stability, there are deeper shifts. Early stage deals are down. Hardware investment has fallen sharply. The Series A and B “valley of death” remains a structural challenge. Meanwhile, AI continues to absorb a growing share of venture capital. This conversation unpacks what is actually happening, where the pressure points are, and where opportunity may be building quietly. In this episode you’ll learn: Why 2025 was stronger than many expected, yet still worrying beneath the surfaceWhat the decline in seed and Series A funding means for the pipelineWhy hardware startups are facing a 70%+ drop in investmentHow energy and power continue to dominate climate capital flowsWhether AI is crowding out climate tech, or simply reshaping itThe role of Innovate UK, the British Business Bank and the new National Wealth Fund\Why food, agriculture and human health may be the next frontierWhat investors should actually focus on in 2026From patient capital to policy gaps, from energy prices to food security, this is a grounded look at the mechanics behind the green transition. If you work in venture, policy, startups or climate innovation, this is one to bookmark. Guests Sarah Mackintosh Director, CleanTech for UK CleanTech for UK is a policy and advocacy group representing UK clean tech investors. https://www.cleantechforuk.com Sammy Fry Head of Climate Tech, Tech Nation Tech Nation supports high growth tech founders across the UK, including climate and deep tech ventures. https://technation.io Referenced Reports & Resources Cleantech for UK Annual Investment Reports https://www.cleantechforuk.com/publications Tech Nation Climate Tech Report https://technation.io/research-news/ Net Zero Insights https://www.netzeroinsights.com Innovate UK https://www.ukri.org/innovate-uk British Business Bank https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk National Wealth Fund https://www.nationalwealthfund.org.uk Blue Earth Investment Forum https://blueearthsummit.com Zinc VC https://www.zinc.vc Join Earth Set Live Earth Set hosts monthly live events in London featuring founders, investors, policymakers and operators shaping the transition to a resilient, regenerative economy. First Tuesday of every month. Tickets and details: https://earthset.co If you enjoyed this episode Leave a ratingShare it with someone building or backing climate techJoin us in person at a live eventThanks for listening. See you at the next recording.

    44 min

  8. FEB 16

    Slow Burn: Why We Can’t Quit Coal

    Coal feels like history. Steam engines. Sooty faces. Museums and memorial plaques. And yet it still generates around a third of the world’s electricity and accounts for roughly 37 percent of global carbon emissions. Every year, we burn close to one tonne of coal per person on Earth. In this live recording from Octopus Energy & Octopus EV HQ, Fiona Howarth unpacks why coal refuses to fade quietly into the past. Joining them are two exceptional guests: Lucy ShawEnergy investor and advisor. Founder of an energy and climate investment consultancy. Former infrastructure investor at Blackstone, Actis, Vena Energy and the IFC (World Bank Group). Former BCG consultant and ExxonMobil engineer. Fulbright Scholar with an MBA from Harvard Business School and an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School. Lucy is currently writing a book titled Slow Burn on the global persistence of coal. Dr Sam GeallAssociate Fellow at Chatham House and Senior Visiting Research Fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. Former CEO of Dialogue Earth (formerly China Dialogue). Specialist in China’s climate and energy transition, with a PhD in Social Anthropology and deep expertise on how energy, politics and industrial policy intersect in China. Together, they explore a question that sounds simple and turns out to be anything but: If coal is dirty, deadly and increasingly uneconomic, why are we still using so much of it? Why coal still supplies around one third of global electricity Why absolute coal use keeps rising, even as its share of the mix falls How coal contributes an estimated 37% of global carbon emissions Why China is simultaneously building record amounts of renewables and new coal capacity How energy security, industrial policy and political legitimacy shape China’s coal strategy What’s driving India’s continued expansion of coal Why coal has become a culture war issue in the US The role of jobs, identity and community in coal regions Whether the UK really has “moved on” from coal, or simply offshored it Why carbon capture is unlikely to rescue coal at scale What a just transition actually looks like, and why most countries are still struggling to deliver one Coal is declining in some regions. It is expanding in others. In many places, it is both shrinking and growing at the same time. One thread ran through the entire conversation: coal is not just an energy source. It is a social system. The question is not simply how to shut coal down. It is how to do so without hollowing out the places that built their lives around it. Lucy ShawFollow Lucy on Substack Dr Sam GeallChatham House – Environment & Society Centre Oxford Institute for Energy Studieshttps://www.oxfordenergy.org Dialogue Earthhttps://dialogue.earth Further reading on China’s energy transitionDialogue Earth – China energy coveragehttps://dialogue.earth/en/tag/china-in-the-world/ Earth Set is a growing community of founders, investors, policymakers and operators shaping the business of climate. We host monthly live events in London featuring people building the transition in real time. First Tuesday of every month.Find upcoming events and tickets at:👉 https://earthset.co Please consider: Leaving a five-star rating Writing a short review Sharing the episode with someone interested in energy, geopolitics or the future of climate policy It helps more people discover the show and join the conversation. Thanks for listening. We’ll see you at the next live event, or back here in your feed soon.

    1h 15m
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Earth Set brings together the people shaping a net positive future: founders, investors, scientists, and policymakers who are rethinking how we live, work, and grow on a changing planet. Each episode is recorded live at our monthly events in London, where big ideas collide and real collaborations begin. From clean energy and biodiversity to the future of work and regenerative business, Earth Set explores what’s working, what’s not, and what’s next. Listen, get inspired, and be part of the movement toward a thriving planet for people and nature. Find upcoming events at www.earthset.co

Information

  • Creator
    Earth Set
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Earth Set
  • Show Website
    The Earth Set Podcast

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