The oil and gas sector invested $33.4 billion in the energy transition last year. Yet while this figure suggests that decarbonization is a serious consideration for some fossil-fuel majors, just seven companies accounted for 85% of the sector’s low-carbon spend in 2024, and only 13 of 41 companies assessed raised low-carbon investment as a share of capex. So what are the different strategies oil and gas companies are pursuing when it comes to the energy transition? And why would a fossil-fuel company invest in clean tech in the first place? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Claudio Lubis, an associate from BNEF’s downstream oil and chemicals team, to discuss findings from his note “Oil and Gas Energy Transition 2024: Clean Capex Jumps.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transitions to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Oil and Gas Energy Transition 2024: Clean Capex Jumps - https://www.bnef.com/insights/36589See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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29:14
Getting Decarbonization Megaprojects Off the Ground
Europe is making quick work of executing large industrial decarbonization infrastructure projects. The continent now boasts large-scale facilities for carbon capture, storage and transit in the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands, Italy and Norway. But how have policymakers managed to incentivize and facilitate the installation of these massive projects, and what’s required to push the sector even further? At the 2025 BloombergNEF Summit Munich, Martin Tengler, BNEF’s head of hydrogen research, moderated a panel titled “Getting Industrial Decarbonization Megaprojects on Their Feet: Evaluating Early Success.” This episode brings listeners that panel, which featured Kristin Myskja, director general and head of climate, industry and technology for the Norwegian Ministry of Energy; Anders Hoffman, deputy permanent secretary for the Danish Ministry for Climate, Energy and Utilities; Dick Benschop, chair of the board at Mission Possible Partnership; and Stefanie Hiesinger, head of unit for low-carbon solutions for Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA) at the European Commission. To learn more about BNEF’s Summits taking place around the world and to see recordings of BNEF Talks at previous Summits, head to https://about.bnef.com/summit/.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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37:22
Weathering the Storm: Climate Risk Stress Tests
Extreme weather has always meant extreme risks for businesses and investors. Yet climate change has varied the calculus, and many businesses are facing new, potentially existential risks as the world and the energy transition heat up. As such, central banks and financial supervisors have begun conducting climate risk stress tests, to ensure these institutions are capable of mitigating the potential impacts of a changing climate. But what do these tests entail, which markets have been the most proactive in conducting them, and what exactly is “climate risk” anyway? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Tifenn Brandily, BloombergNEF’s head of transition risk and alignment, and special guest Edo Schets, Bloomberg’s head of climate, nature and regulatory financial solutions, to discuss findings from the note “Climate Risk Stress Test Review”. Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transitions to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Climate Risk Stress Test Review - https://www.bnef.com/insights/35901 TRACT - https://www.bnef.com/insights/34869 Worksheet Sample Library for Physical Risk - WSL PHYSICALRISK<GO> Worksheet Sample Library for Water - WSL WATER<GO>See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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33:28
CORSIA’s Flight Plan for Credible Carbon Markets
A United Nations-led aviation decarbonization scheme could offer some respite for carbon credit markets mired in controversy. With the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, also known as CORSIA, the UN is looking to offer legitimacy for carbon credits, to help tackle emissions at scale. The scheme has a global footprint, with a roster of 126 markets set to expand to 135 in 2027, but with the US and EU threatening to pull their involvement, just how impactful can CORSIA really be? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Layla Khanfar, an associate on BNEF’s environmental markets team, to discuss her recent note “Aviation Credits Market Outlook: CORSIA Gets Its Wings”. Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Aviation Credits Market Outlook: CORSIA Gets Its Wings - https://www.bnef.com/insights/36451See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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30:33
Silicon States: US Data Center Expansion in the AI Era
The rise of AI data centers is reshaping the outlook for US power markets. Forecast to account for nearly a 10th of all US electricity demand by 2035, data centers are gobbling up power more quickly than electric vehicles, hydrogen or any other demand class this decade. A profound concentration of capital has allowed for this rapid expansion, which is now exerting influence over energy infrastructure and planning investment. But what forms do data centers take, and what are the factors and strategies that influence associated decision making? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by BloombergNEF’s Head of US Power, Helen Kou, and Senior Associate Nathalie Limandibhratha to discuss their recent note “US Data Center Market Outlook: The Age of AI”. Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: US Data Center Market Outlook: The Age of AI - https://www.bnef.com/insights/36281See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The future of energy, transport, sustainability and more, as told by BNEF analysts. Each week, Dana Perkins and Tom Rowlands-Rees sit down with BloombergNEF (BNEF) analysts to uncover the key findings and stories behind their latest research.