SciencesPo Energy Podcast

Fossil Finance: Unpacking the banking system's climate tipping point with Max Falkenberg

Banks play a crucial role in the climate story, but not in the way most people think. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Max Falkenberg, climate finance researcher and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow, to talk about how big banks around the world are still pouring trillions into fossil fuels—and why that needs to change fast. 

Tune in to learn: 

• What makes fossil fuel financing so hard to stop
• Why just a few powerful banks could make a massive difference
• How new rules (and global teamwork) could shift the system
• Whether voluntary climate pledges by banks are actually working
• What happens to oil and gas companies if the money dries up
• And what changes he’d like to see next in the finance world

If you've ever wondered how your money, or your bank, might be connected to the climate crisis, this episode is for you. We recommend you to have a quick look at Dr. Max Falkenberg's paper entitled “The challenge of phasing-out fossil fuel finance in the banking sector” before listening to the podcast.

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Today, we'll delve into the environmental impact of the highly anticipated 2024 Paris Olympics. Can the City of Lights reconcile athletic excellence with its unwavering commitment to carbon neutrality? Join us as we explore the challenges and potential solutions with Professor Michel Noussan, a leading expert in Sustainable Transport.

The voluntary carbon market with Anton Root

What is happening in the voluntary carbon market? Despite its growing prominence, purchasing carbon credits remains controversial. But can these concerns be addressed?

 

Join us as Anton Root, head of research at the innovative tech firm Allid Offsets, offers his insight on the trajectory of the voluntary carbon market. We discuss its latest developments, the impact of COP28, and even touch upon carbon removals.

Unlocking hydropower potentials with Heymi Bahar

In this episode, we discuss hydropower, the forgotten giant of low-carbon electricity. Despite being one of the oldest and largest power generation sources, hydropower still has untapped potential that can contribute to decarbonization. 

Heymi Bahar, senior energy analyst at the IEA, shares his expertise on the topic providing an overview of hydropower's global outlook, its opportunities and challenges, and policy measures to support hydropower's role in clean energy transition. 

Energy Poverty in Europe with Rachel Guyet

Dr. Rachel Guyet is the Director of Global Energy Transition and Governance master’s at the European Institute (CIFE). She is a member of European network ENGAGER on energy poverty and of the research group Energy and Cohesion at CERI-Sciences Po, Paris. She also teaches Energy transitions and society at Sciences Po Dijon Campus

Today we will discuss current issues related to energy poverty in Europe which has significantly increased due to high energy prices due to series of events such as COVID-19, inflation and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This episode was recorded on December 2, 2022. 

Effects of the Russian invasion in Ukraine on the energy transition and daily life of people in Africa — with Rim Berahab

In this episode we talk with Rim Berahab, who works as a Senior Economist at the Policy Center for the New South, a think-tank based in Morocco. Her work at the Policy Center focuses on energy issues and their impacts on economic growth and long-term development.

We discuss how the disruptions induced by the war in Ukraine are impacting the daily life of people, government budgets and debt positions in African countries. We will also take a look at the implications for investments in renewables across the continent and what new oil & gas projects mean for the clean energy transition in Africa.

Effects of the Russian invasion in Ukraine on Africa’s oil & gas sector with Philippe Copinschi

In this episode we talk with Philippe Copinschi, who is an expert on international and African energy issues and works as a freelance consultant and lecturer at Sciences Po on the matter.

We discuss the potential for more gas production in Africa in the short- and long-term, spare transport capacity and the risk of stranded assets. We will also take a look at current oil production in Africa and potential future developments in its oil & gas sector.

The EU ETS: Functioning, Challenges and Future, with Christian Egenhofer

In this episode we talk with Christian Egenhofer, Senior Research Associate at the School of Transnational Governance at the European University Institute and a Visiting Professor at SciencesPo

We discuss the Past, Present and Future of the Eu Emission Trading System. From the current reforms to the impacts of today's crisis, passing through CBAM and many other issues, we try to simplify and explain an ever-changing, complex, instrument.

Energy Security in Light of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine with Anne-Sophie Corbeau

In this episode we talk with Anne-Sophie Corbeau, who is a Global Research Scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University and Lecturer for Energy Security at Sciences Po.

We discuss the consequences of the existing and potential future sanctions on energy security, with a particular focus on the European continent. We talk about the imminent effects but also give an outlook up to 2025 and 2030. 

The future of hydrogen, between hype and realistic expectations – with Loïc Le Gars

In this episode we talk with Loïc Le Gars, who is Principal at the sustainability consultancy ERM and an expert in the hydrogen sector. We discuss the reasons for the current hydrogen hype and how it impacts decarbonization efforts, and speak about a business perspective on the energy vector and the role policies play in scaling up the market.