Energ’Ethic - Climate Justice and Energy Transition

[Replay] When Information Is the Infrastructure: Rethinking Energy Poverty from the Ground Up - Marta Garcia Paris

Mon, 04 May 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Energy poverty didn't exist as a concept in Spain when Marta García París first encountered it. Today, Ecoserveis runs one of the most cited local intervention models in Europe — built not on technical expertise alone, but on the conviction that citizens are the experts, and institutions exist to translate that expertise into action.

This episode, originally released in 2021, marks the beginning of Energ'Ethic. We're replaying it at episode 100 because the questions it raises have only sharpened: who gets to access the energy transition, on what terms, and through whose knowledge?

What this episode covers:

How Ecoserveis came to define energy poverty in a Mediterranean context where the concept had no name — and what that process reveals about the limits of Northern European policy frameworks when applied elsewhere
The Barcelona energy advice points: a public service model that pairs technical energy guidance with peer support from people who have themselves experienced vulnerability
Why information access — not technology — remains the central barrier to an inclusive energy transition, and how targeted advice can unblock situations that financial support alone cannot
The compounding effect of COVID-19 on energy vulnerability, particularly for households that shifted from workplace to home without the financial or physical infrastructure to absorb that change
How European project networks enabled Ecoserveis to import, test, and ultimately export intervention models — including a peer-to-peer training approach now being scaled through the SWEET project

Marine Cornelis is the founder of Next Energy Consumer, a policy consultancy working on energy poverty, consumer rights, and housing at EU level. If you are working on a related mandate or research question, you can reach her at contact@nextenergyconsumer.eu

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Fixing Europe's Energy System (Still Working on His Own House)

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 05:15:00 +0000

Adrian Hiel set himself a goal in 2015: to fully electrify his own life. Ten years, a cargo bike, a fully insulated house he couldn't afford to put a heat pump in, and a 50,000-euro loan later — he's nearly there. He is also the first Director the Electrification Alliance has ever appointed, leading a coalition of ten European industry and advocacy organisations pushing for 35% electrification of final energy use by 2030.

The contradiction is instructive. Because it maps the exact terrain he's navigating professionally.

In this episode, we take stock of where the electrification agenda stands as a governance challenge. The technical and economic case is settled. What remains is the institutional question: does European policy have the architecture to act on it?

We cover the EU tax structure that still prices electricity like a pollutant — four times more than gas in Belgium — because it was written when coal fired the grid. The Electrification Action Plan, now expected in June 2026, and what it must actually deliver beyond restatement of agreed targets. The Electrification Staircase framework, co-authored with Michael Liebreich and others, and what it implies about sequencing and governance. Rural households as the overlooked opportunity. And why, in Adrian's words, this has become a social transition as much as a technical one — requiring reassurance as much as regulation.

Adrian also addresses the geopolitical reframe directly: the shift from climate argument to sovereignty argument, and why the US's transformation from energy importer to energy exporter has permanently changed the strategic calculus for Europe.

The Electrification Alliance: electrification-alliance.eu Electrification Staircase: watts-next.eu

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Your Flat Called. It Wants a Battery - Ashley Grealish, Windfall Energy

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:15:00 +0000

Half of European households live in flats or rented homes. For a decade, the clean energy transition has passed them by — smart tariffs assume an EV, rooftop solar assumes a roof, home batteries assume a wall you can drill into. Ashley Grealish has spent his career on exactly this structural gap: first at Bboxx, building pay-as-you-go solar for half a million homes in rural East Africa; then at ev.energy, scaling smart EV charging while pushing it beyond premium vehicles; now at Windfall Energy, with a 2.5 kWh plug-in battery that arrives overnight, plugs into a standard socket, and does the rest itself.

What this episode covers

System design over product design. At Bboxx, the team realised that importing a standard television into an off-grid kit didn't work — the power draw was too high. The solution was to rethink everything: low-power 12V appliances, right-sized panels, circular lead-acid battery recovery. The same logic is inside the Windfall battery: don't adapt the user to the system. Redesign the system around the user.

Affordability as architecture. Bboxx started at $400 upfront and couldn't reach most of the people it was built for. The shift to pay-as-you-go unlocked scale. Windfall is at the same first stage — £1,000 on pre-order, with a clear ambition toward zero upfront cost through energy supplier partnerships and, potentially, the UK Warm Homes Discount.

Desirability is not optional. Ashley filled his flat with test batteries from the European market. One arrived at 45 kg on a crate. Others had loud fans and permanent blue indicator lights. None were designed to be lived with. His conclusion: a product no one wants in their home will not reach the people who need it most.

Organisations mentioned: Bboxx · e.quinox (Imperial College) · GemFair · ev.energy · Windfall Energy · Warm Homes Discount (UK)

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Willing But Unable - Aurore Dudka

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 06:16:00 +0000

The EU's flexibility agenda promises to empower consumers. Demand-side response, dynamic tariffs, smart meters — the idea is that households can take control of their energy use and benefit from the transition. The evidence is less tidy.

Vulnerable households are often willing to engage. What stops them is not reluctance — it is the architecture of their daily lives: caring responsibilities, health conditions, insecure housing, inflexible routines. When policy reads low participation as apathy, it designs for the wrong problem.

Aurore Dudka is a researcher. She returns to Energ'Ethic with a systematic review of 66 empirical studies on demand-side response and energy-vulnerable households (Energy Research & Social Science, March 2026), and a co-authored analysis of gender and the energy transition (inGenere, January 2026).

What this episode covers:

Willingness vs. capacity. Vulnerable households want to participate in flexibility programmes. What constrains them is structural — rigid routines, limited technology access, low digital literacy, insecure tenure. Treating low uptake as disinterest produces schemes that exclude the households they were built for.

Up to 20% higher bills — for those who can least absorb it. For sick and low-income households with inflexible consumption needs, poorly designed dynamic tariffs can increase energy bills by up to 20%. This is what happens when pricing mechanisms meet households whose energy use is not discretionary. No-harm guarantees exist as a design tool. They are not yet standard.

The man decides. The woman adapts. Flexibility policy addresses households as single actors. Within households, someone takes the technology decision and someone else reorganises their daily life around it. The invisible labour of energy management falls disproportionately on women — and empowerment frameworks that ignore this redistribute burden, not agency.

Stop designing for rationalistic consumers. Aurore's call to policymakers: stop thinking about citizens as rationalistic [sic] consumers who respond to price signals, and start thinking in terms of practice, time, and labour. The Citizens' Energy Package — which names farmers, carers, rural inhabitants and kindergartens as the citizens the transition must serve — opens this door. The design work to walk through it is still ahead.

Marine Cornelis is the founder of Next Energy Consumer, a policy consultancy working on energy poverty, consumer rights, and housing at EU level. If you are working on a related mandate or research question, you can reach her at contact@nextenergyconsumer.eu

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She's Already Leading the Project. Why Isn't the System Designed Around Her?

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Women are already the primary decision-makers in household renovation and low-carbon upgrades. They manage timelines, handle budgets, research materials, anticipate health impacts, and carry the cognitive load of the entire process. The retrofit system, however, is not designed around them.

In this episode, Marine Cornelis speaks with Ellora Coupe, founder of Her Own Space, about the structural gap between where retrofit happens and how it is designed. The conversation examines why trust, not technology, is the real barrier to household action, why peer-based learning models fill a gap that institutional tools cannot, and what it would take for funding and policy frameworks to account for the full complexity of human-centred change.

This is a conversation about why retrofit moves slowly when it ignores who is already leading the work.

1. Trust as missing infrastructure. Retrofit faces a systemic trust deficit — not a communications problem, but a structural one. Households distrust contractors, product recommendations, and institutional schemes. Ellora argues that this trust erosion is the most underestimated obstacle to transition at scale.

2. The patronising design gap Women approaching retrofit are routinely not taken seriously as technical interlocutors. This is not incidental. It generates an invisible friction cost — eroded confidence, delayed decisions, abandoned projects — that no current scheme measures.

3. Community as a governance model Her Own Space is not a peer support forum, but a response to a specific governance failure: the loss of learning between individual retrofit journeys, and the incapacity of one-size-fits-all programmes to accommodate property diversity, budget variation, and different life stages. The community model absorbs complexity that institutional tools can't hold.

4. Sequencing without a single entry point Rather than prescribing a starting point, Her Own Space deliberately removes sequencing pressure. Members enter at any stage and learn across the full continuum of a retrofit journey. This challenges the design logic of most public-facing programmes, which rely on a single message reaching everyone at the same moment.

5. The early adopter argument — and what it means for policy Research cited in this episode suggests women adopt technology faster than men when it performs reliably, and abandon it faster when it does not. Designing for resilience is not the same as designing for uptake.

6. The agility gap in retrofit funding Innovation funding models are built around static, deliverable-defined outcomes. They can't accommodate iterative, community-embedded forms of innovation. Ellora argues this is a structural bias, and Her Own Space's membership model exists partly to avoid it.

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Solar Is Easy. Neighbours Are Not.

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 06:15:00 +0000

I installed balcony solar panels at home. They work. They reduce my electricity bill. They also revealed something structural.

Solar is technically simple. Scaling it is not.

In Vilnius, I explored what happens when decentralised energy meets multi-apartment governance. In Central and Eastern Europe, 60% of people live in multi-family buildings.

These buildings concentrate energy poverty, fragmented ownership, tight budgets and collective decision-making.

Technology is progressing:

Panels are lighter.
Batteries are modular.
Sodium-ion storage is emerging as a lower-cost option.
Lithuania already counts 170,000 consumer-generators, with 12% of electricity production in 2025 coming from consumers.

And yet, every time solar approaches a multi-family building, coordination begins.

Who carries liability?
Who guarantees mounting safety?
Who stays present when after-sales disappears?

This episode explores:

Why 50% neighbour approval for shared solar is a relational threshold, not a technical one
How standards on power limits, mounting systems and documentation reduce uncertainty
Why flexibility policy collapses without visibility and information symmetry
How the revised EPBD and the upcoming Citizens Energy Package will depend on building-level coordination

Multi-family buildings are the proving ground.

If decentralised energy depends on exceptional motivation, scaling will fragment.
If governance absorbs friction, trust accumulates.

From plug and play to trust and repair, this is the real work of the energy transition.

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The Modernisation Fund: A Structural Blind Spot in EU Climate Policy

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000

The Modernisation Fund is often treated as a technical financing tool. In reality, it is one of the most structural instruments in EU climate policy.

In this episode, Marine Cornelis speaks with Morgan Henley, campaigner at CEE Bankwatch, about how the Modernisation Fund shapes energy systems in Central and Eastern Europe. Drawing on concrete examples from district heating, the conversation shows how funding design and governance choices lock in infrastructure pathways for decades.

The episode examines why the Fund’s low political visibility enables priority drift, how limited scrutiny reinforces incumbent interests, and why these dynamics matter most in countries with constrained fiscal space. Rather than focusing on technologies, the discussion centres on power, accountability, and the long-term consequences of how climate money flows.

This is a conversation about why climate credibility is built through governance, not announcements.

Topics covered

The Modernisation Fund as a structural EU instrument
Governance gaps and low political visibility
Priority drift and incumbent advantage
District heating as a long-term system choice
Why funding design determines transition outcomes

CEE Bankwatch report on the Modernisation Fund (2026)

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Heat Pumps, Systems, and People: Why Clean Heating Needs Alignment

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Europe has set ambitious targets for clean heating. Heat pumps are central to that strategy. Yet deployment continues to slow, especially in multi-apartment buildings and social housing.

In this episode, Marine Cornelis explores why.

Joined by Vladimir Gjorgievski and Louise Meister, the conversation moves beyond technology to examine how clean heating actually works in real buildings.

Drawing on experiences from North Macedonia and Austria, the episode looks at:

why heating and cooling must be planned together,
how sector coupling translates into comfort, resilience, and bill stability,
why upfront costs and risk allocation remain major barriers,
and how business models and coordination determine success in collective housing.

The discussion also reflects on lessons from contexts with limited gas infrastructure, the role of energy communities and flexibility, and what alignment means for EU and national policy frameworks.

A grounded, systems-level conversation on scaling clean heating without shifting cost and risk onto residents.

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Energy Customers Do Not Need More Explanations, Sean Layerle

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Why does the energy sector keep trying to explain, rather than designing better?

In this episode of Energ’Ethic, Marine Cornelis speaks with Sean Layerle, Managing Partner at Baalbek Insights, about a stubborn reflex in the energy transition: the belief that low adoption can be fixed by better explanations.

With 14 years in Silicon Valley and experience across five continents, Sean has worked at the forefront of digital energy products, demand-side management, and behavioural science, including roles at Opower and EnerNOC. Today, he supports energy and tech companies as electrification, flexibility and distributed energy resources accelerate.

Together, they unpack why tech-first thinking persists, how behavioural biases quietly shape energy decisions, and why collecting more data rarely leads to better customer understanding.

The conversation moves from early lessons in demand response to today’s challenge: designing digital products that align with real human motivations, not expert assumptions.

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Stitching the Energy Transition in Cities - Eduardo Blanco

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Cities are on the front line of the energy transition. They are also where energy poverty is most visible.

In this episode of Energ’Ethic, Marine Cornelis talks with Dr Eduardo Blanco from Energy Cities, coordinator of the POWER UP project.

The episode covers:

Social energy players and new local business models
Municipal leadership and public risk-taking
Neighbourhood-scale solutions
Concrete lessons from European pilot cities

Eduardo explains why building fair energy systems looks less like engineering and more like embroidery. Slow, precise and deeply human.

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Heat, Light, Silence: What I Needed to Say About Europe and Energy Vulnerability

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0000

This episode is a departure — in the best possible way.

Instead of an interview, Energ' Ethic host Marine Cornelis takes listeners inside the speech she delivered in Besançon for the French Day against Energy Poverty. A space filled with people who meet energy vulnerability every day: social workers, housing professionals, energy advisers, local officials. People who understand the transition not as a strategy, but as the temperature inside a room, the state of a wall, the anxiety behind an energy bill.

The speech is in French, Marine’s mother tongue, because some truths land differently when spoken in the language where they were first felt.

In this reflection, Marine revisits ten years of European policy through the lens of the people these laws are meant to protect. She digs into what happens when efficiency outruns dignity, why energy vulnerability has nothing to do with a simplistic income line, and how equity reshapes the right to energy in a continent living through rising bills and increasingly hostile summers.

You will hear stories from homes across Europe, observations from the frontlines, and a clear-eyed look at what rebuilding trust actually requires: proximity, responsibility, and the ability to confront vulnerability without looking away.

This episode invites you to slow down.
To feel the spaces where policy becomes life.
To remember that energy justice is not decorative language — it is the condition for a society that holds.

A different format for Energ’Ethic.
And a necessary one.

Listen to the full speech.

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Better Buildings, Better Neighbourhoods, Better Lives - Erman Erogan

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Erman Erogan, Policy and Campaign Officer at CAN Europe, joins Energ’Ethic to discuss the Build Better Lives campaign and Europe’s race to deliver affordable, energy-efficient homes.

Europe’s homes tell a story — one of rising bills, cold rooms, and missed opportunities for fairness and comfort. But a new chapter is being written. The EU is reshaping its housing future through the Affordable Housing Dialogue, the first European Affordable Housing Plan, the Affordable Housing Initiative, and the New European Bauhaus, which reimagines places that are sustainable, beautiful and inclusive.

At the heart of this transformation stands the Build Better Lives campaign, coordinated by CAN Europe. Bringing together over 95 organisations from across housing, social justice, youth, and climate movements, it calls for renovation that delivers affordable, energy-efficient, and people-centred homes.

In this episode, Erman Erogan shares how renovation becomes powerful when it moves beyond walls — when it starts with people and spreads across neighbourhoods: “This is more than just adding a layer of insulation. This talks about your home, your comfort place, your relationship with your neighbours and your community.”

Erman explains why district-level renovation can accelerate the energy transition and strengthen local trust. Drawing from cases across the EU, he shows how integrated planning can combine energy efficiency, affordability, and inclusion.

“A good 40 percent of all waste generated in Europe is building waste. We need a culture shift that makes renovation the norm.”

We discuss how circular construction, reuse of materials, and fair labour conditions can make the upcoming EU policies deliver lasting change. From Swedish projects that trained residents to German schemes that froze heating costs, the conversation reveals what equitable renovation looks like in practice.

For Erman, success depends on aligning EU frameworks around ambition and justice. The goal: better buildings that create better neighbourhoods, and better neighbourhoods that sustain better lives.

European Citizens' Initiative HouseEurope! Power to Renovation

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To Build Fast, You Need Fair, with Arthur Hirsch

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Europe knows it must move fast on renewables and grid infrastructure. But speed without fairness only builds friction.

In this episode, Marine Cornelis speaks with Arthur Hinsch, Senior Expert at ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, about the Fast and Fair Renewables & Grids Initiative — a first-of-its-kind European consensus on how to scale up solar, wind, and grid projects while ensuring that local communities see real benefits and have a voice.

Endorsed by a broad alliance — from WindEurope and SolarPower Europe to Energy Cities, REScoop.eu, CAN Europe, EEB, and the European Youth Energy Network — the initiative sets out five principles defining what “fair” looks like on the ground.

Arthur shares what it took to reach agreement among actors who rarely sit at the same table. He explains how fairness is not a barrier to progress, but a condition for it — and how a new checklist for local governments can help mediate tensions, bring transparency, and get projects off the ground faster.

He also reflects on his own path from studying Japanese culture to shaping European energy diplomacy, and why, after steering this landmark collaboration, he’s taking a sabbatical in Japan to reconnect with long-term thinking.

Highlights:

Why fairness and speed are inseparable in Europe’s energy transition.
The five principles behind the Fast and Fair Renewables & Grids Initiative.
How local mayors can use the new checklist to talk with citizens and developers.
What makes this cross-sector agreement unique — and replicable.
Arthur’s reflections on collaboration, balance, and what Japan might teach Europe.

Explore the initiative: https://fastandfairenergy.eu

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Finance as a Tool for Trust - Special episode at ACCE Conference

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 05:15:00 +0000

Special episode recorded live at the ACCE closing event

What if the most powerful technology for the energy transition wasn’t digital, but human?

In this Energ’Ethic special, recorded live in Brussels, Marine Cornelis brings together the voices behind Access to Capital for Community Energy (ACCE) — a project that helped citizens across Europe finance their own energy future.

From Romania to Belgium, from Croatia to the UK, communities built cooperatives, social funds, and ethical banking partnerships. What they discovered went far beyond kilowatts: finance can build trust, resilience, and democracy.

Highlights

• Europe as Enabler – CINEA’s Michele Sansoni on how EU support is nurturing a new generation of energy communities.
• From Growth to Maturity – REScoop.eu’s Sara Tachelet on a movement growing stronger and more professional.
• Courage in Romania – Camelia Sava’s team created a social fund and powered a kindergarten, despite limited resources.
• Federations as Translators – Energie Samen and Énergie Partagée show how local networks bridge citizens and finance.
• Solidarity in Action – Energy4All’s Mark Luntley on turning citizen investment into global cooperation.
• Equal Rights, Everywhere – Corina Murafa calls for citizens in all EU countries to access and finance energy fairly.
• Keeping Money Local – Dirk Vansintjan reminds us every euro reinvested strengthens communities.

Takeaway

Finance works best when it is a dialogue — between citizens, financiers, and institutions.
When done well, it becomes a tool for trust

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Cash Current: Financing the Flow of Citizen Energy (Replay)

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 05:15:00 +0000

This week on Energ’Ethic, we bring back a conversation worth hearing again. Stan d’Herbemont of REScoop.eu explains why citizen energy projects still face a “risk premium” simply because they are democratic. Ownership and participation are often misread by traditional finance as weakness instead of strength.

As the ACCE project reaches its closing event on 7 October 2025, this replay offers the context behind our recent episodes with Chris Vrettos and Junior. Chris showed how ACCE has channelled millions into citizen-led projects. Junior reminded us that energy is also about hope and belonging. Stan sets the stage by showing why those tools were needed in the first place.

What you’ll hear:

Why democratic projects are still labelled “risky.”
How public finance and guarantees can change the flow.
Why communities deliver more than kilowatts: jobs, trust, inclusion.

🎧 Cash Current is back to remind us that citizen energy is worth the investment.

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From Risky to Resilient: How Citizens Can Fund the Transition - Chris Vrettos, ACCE project

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 05:30:00 +0000

How do we move community energy from “too risky” for banks to a serious part of Europe’s clean energy future? In this episode, Marine Cornelis speaks with Chris Vrettos (REScoop.eu & Electra Energy) about the ACCE project, which is closing with its final event on 7 October.

Key takeaways

Community Energy Financing Schemes (CEFS): tools built by and for communities that make projects bankable and scalable.
From risk to resilience: bundling many small initiatives into portfolios that investors take seriously.
Inclusion by design: solidarity shares and ethical finance models that bring vulnerable households into the transition.
Policy momentum: how the Social Climate Fund, EU budget, and potential EIB guarantees can support citizen-led finance.

Why listen?
Finance is never neutral. As Chris reminds us, it can either lock communities out or bring them in. ACCE has shown that citizen-driven finance is not only possible, but scalable.

🎧 Tune in now — and if you want to see what comes next, join the ACCE closing conference on 7 October 2025, where Marine will moderate the discussion.

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Power in the Roots: Rhizomes, Relationships, and the Energy Transition, with Junior Mbangala

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 05:00:00 +0000

with Junior Mbangala, researcher at Oxford and policy analyst at the WTO

What if the energy transition was less about infrastructure—and more about invisible connections?

In this episode, Junior Mbangala introduces a quietly radical idea: the rhizome. Borrowed from philosophy, this root-like, messy, decentralised structure becomes a powerful lens to rethink energy systems. Not as neat grids or market mechanisms—but as webs of trust, knowledge, and social ties.

👣 From working-class neighbourhoods in Liège to sub-Saharan Africa, Junior uses social network analysis to map how energy communities actually function:

Who participates?
Who holds influence?
And who gets left out, even when it all looks inclusive on paper?

Forget the top-down diagrams. Junior invites us to see energy not as a service, but as a social system. One where:

✨ Knowledge spreads like a rumour
🔗 Participation relies on trust, not just access
🌱 Change starts in the margins—and travels sideways

💬 “Each one, teach one,” he says. “The rhizome helps us grow differently—but together.”

🧠 What you’ll hear:

How network thinking reveals invisible power structures in energy communities
Why the “community” in energy community needs to come first
What Deleuze and Guattari have to do with just transition policies
Why hope—yes, hope—is a form of energy, too

📍This episode isn’t about electrons. It’s about entanglements. And how, if we’re serious about justice, we need to start mapping the roots—not just building the tree.

🎧 Listen now. And maybe never think about “inclusion” the same way again.

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[SUMMER REPLAY] The Access-Washing Dilemma: Are Development Goals Missing the Mark? William Brent

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 05:00:00 +0000

What if the key to a sustainable future lies in the hands of the most vulnerable? Join host Marine Cornelis in this enlightening episode of Energ’Ethic - Climate Justice and Energy Transition, as she sits down with William Brent, a passionate climate solution advocate and entrepreneur, whose journey from media and entertainment to championing energy justice is nothing short of inspiring. Driven by his experiences in China, Brent reveals how he became a fervent advocate for energy access, focusing on renewable energy solutions tailored for the Global South.

As Brent shares his insights, he sheds light on the systemic inequities entrenched in the energy sector, emphasizing the critical need for energy transition that prioritizes the most marginalized communities. Despite significant strides in providing basic electricity access to millions, he highlights the stark reality that many still lack modern energy solutions. Brent's critique of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 7, is thought-provoking; he argues that these goals often lead to 'access washing,' where superficial progress is celebrated while genuine modernization remains elusive.

Throughout the conversation, the urgency of reforming energy policy becomes evident. Brent calls for a transformative shift in institutional mindsets, advocating for greater collaboration among development finance institutions, governments, and the private sector. He believes that only through collective action can we address energy poverty and ensure equitable energy access for all. With a focus on clean tech and smart grids, Brent envisions a future where renewable energy, community energy initiatives, and off-grid solutions play pivotal roles in the just transition we so desperately need.

This episode is a clarion call for climate action, urging listeners to rethink the frameworks surrounding energy efficiency and decarbonisation. As Brent passionately articulates, the path to sustainability is not just about technology; it’s about people-centric solutions that empower communities and create green jobs. Join us to explore how we can collectively foster a future where public ownership of energy and frugal innovation pave the way for a truly just transition.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of energy justice and the vital role it plays in the energy transition. Tune in and be inspired by the stories and insights that illuminate the path toward a more equitable and sustainable world.

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[SUMMER REPLAY] Building Better Lives: Monica Vidal's Journey to Promote Energy Efficiency and Climate Justice

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 05:00:00 +0000

How can we ensure that the journey towards a sustainable future is inclusive for all? Join host Marine Cornelis as she delves into the heart of climate justice and the energy transition with Monica Vidal, a passionate advocate whose journey from environmental science student to leader at Can Europe is truly inspiring. In this enlightening episode of Energ’Ethic - Climate Justice and Energy Transition, Monica shares her pivotal experiences that shaped her commitment to promoting energy efficiency and tackling energy poverty through the innovative Build Better Lives campaign.

As Monica discusses her work, she highlights the critical intersection of energy policy, housing, and social justice, emphasizing that a truly just transition cannot occur without addressing the housing crisis and energy access. She passionately advocates for ambitious EU directives that can pave the way for real-world solutions, showcasing how energy efficiency can transform lives and communities across Europe. With a focus on collaboration among social justice organizations, housing groups, and trade unions, Monica illustrates the power of collective action in driving meaningful change in the energy transition.

Throughout the episode, listeners will gain insights into the challenges of implementing effective energy policies, the necessity of inclusive public participation, and the vital role that data and science play in shaping advocacy efforts. Monica’s approach to energy justice and sustainability reflects a commitment to not just decarbonisation, but to fostering a future where clean tech and renewable energy are accessible to everyone. She makes a compelling case for community energy initiatives and off-grid solutions that empower individuals and promote energy efficiency, all while creating green jobs and enhancing public ownership of energy.

As the episode unfolds, Monica’s warmth and optimism shine through, reminding us that the path to a sustainable future is not just about technology, but about people. Her call to action urges listeners to engage in building better lives, emphasizing that understanding the complexities of energy efficiency and housing is crucial for everyone who cares about climate action and sustainability. Tune in to this thought-provoking conversation and discover how you can be part of the movement towards a more equitable energy transition.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from a true changemaker in the field of energy justice. Join us for an episode that promises to inspire and empower you to take action in your own community!

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[SUMMER REPLAY] Championing Energy Equity: Louise Sutherland on Inclusive Policies for a Just Energy Transition

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 05:00:00 +0000

What if the path to a sustainable future hinged not only on innovation but also on inclusivity? In this enlightening episode of Energ’Ethic, host Marine Cornelis reunites with Louise Sutherland, a prominent voice in Europe’s energy transition and managing principal at WRAP. Together, they delve into the EU's Fit for 55 framework, a pivotal step towards achieving ambitious climate targets. Louise shares her personal journey, illustrating how her commitment to energy justice has shaped her work, emphasizing the urgent need for policies that uplift vulnerable communities grappling with energy poverty.

The conversation takes a compelling turn as they unpack the outcomes of New York Climate Week, revealing a global perspective on energy equity that transcends borders. Energy justice is not just about affordability; it encompasses ownership, control, and representation in energy decision-making. Louise and Marine explore how integrating social objectives into energy policy is critical for ensuring that no one is left behind in the energy transition. They discuss the necessity of fostering community energy initiatives, promoting public ownership of energy, and advancing off-grid solutions that empower local populations.

As they reflect on the challenges and triumphs of the energy transition, the duo emphasizes the importance of learning from international experiences. They highlight innovative approaches like frugal innovation and smart grids that can drive decarbonisation while creating green jobs. The episode serves as a call to action for listeners to engage with the pressing issues surrounding energy access and sustainability, urging them to advocate for a just transition that prioritizes the needs of all citizens.

Join us for this insightful discussion that not only sheds light on the intricacies of energy policy but also inspires hope and action towards a cleaner, fairer future. Discover how the principles of energy equity can guide us in shaping a resilient energy landscape that champions both environmental and social justice. Tune in and be part of the movement for a just energy future!

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[SUMMER REPLAY] Shana Gallagher on ISO Standards: Ensuring Accountability in Corporate Climate Strategies

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 05:15:00 +0000

What ignites a lifelong passion for climate justice and energy transition? For Shana Gallagher, it was the haunting beauty of the ocean and the stark realization of how human actions can devastate marine ecosystems. Join host Marine Cornelis as she delves into the inspiring journey of Shana, the Dynamic Net Zero Engagement Manager at the British Standards Institution (BSI). Shana's transformation from political activism in the U. S. to a pivotal role in the private sector underscores the essential need for corporate engagement in achieving ambitious net-zero emissions targets.

In this enlightening episode of Energ’Ethic - Climate Justice and Energy Transition, Shana shares her insights on the significance of ISO standards as credible benchmarks for climate action. Discover the groundbreaking work behind the world's first formal certifiable net zero standard, which serves as a vital tool for organizations navigating the complexities of the energy transition. As the conversation unfolds, Shana candidly addresses the pressing challenges of greenwashing, emphasizing the urgent need for clear guidelines that ensure accountability in corporate climate strategies.

With the climate crisis accelerating, the role of businesses in fostering sustainability has never been more critical. Shana highlights the ISO net zero guidelines, offering organizations a roadmap to craft effective net zero strategies. This episode resonates with the core themes of energy justice and decarbonisation, illuminating how companies can contribute to a just transition while aligning with global climate goals. Shana’s work exemplifies the intersection of clean tech, renewable energy, and community energy initiatives, showcasing how innovative solutions can empower businesses to thrive in an evolving landscape.

Listen in as we explore the vital connections between energy access, electrification, and the broader implications of energy policy on our planet's future. Shana’s unique perspective not only sheds light on the corporate side of climate action but also inspires hope through frugal innovation and the pursuit of green jobs. This episode of Energ’Ethic is a clarion call for all stakeholders—business leaders, policymakers, and individuals—to engage actively in the energy transition, ensuring that we leave a sustainable world for future generations. Tune in and be part of the change!

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Trust is the Fast Track, Seda Orhan, CAN Europe

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 05:00:00 +0000

🎧 Guest:
Seda Orhan, Renewable Energy Programme Manager at Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe and board member at the Renewable Grids Initiative

🔎 Episode Summary:
If the first time locals hear about your wind or solar project is when the diggers arrive, you’ve already lost.

In this episode, Marine Cornelis is joined by Seda Orhan to discuss the invisible ingredient that makes or breaks renewable energy projects: trust. Seda unpacks CAN Europe’s latest report, Community Engagement and Fair Benefit Sharing of Renewable Energy Projects, which offers 14+1 concrete KPIs to help developers—and policymakers—move beyond box-ticking towards meaningful participation.

Because here’s the thing: community engagement isn’t a brochure. It’s a conversation. And when it works, it’s magic.

🌱 Highlights:

From resistance to resilience: Why fair benefit sharing is essential to earning a social licence—and how failing to build trust delays or even kills projects.
What bad engagement looks like: Seda lays out the patterns: poor site choices, vague timelines, late-stage notifications, and empty “consultations.”
The 14+1 checklist for fairness: Practical indicators—from local jobs to co-ownership—to assess whether a project genuinely benefits its host community.
Italy vs Germany: What different regulatory approaches reveal about who gets heard—and who gets sidelined.
Why co-ownership matters: The transformative power of giving communities not just a voice, but a stake.

🛠️ Resource spotlight:
📄 Community Engagement and Fair Benefit Sharing of Renewable Energy Projects – CAN Europe Report

🗣️ Like what you hear?
Share the episode, rate the podcast, and follow us on LinkedIn for more unfiltered conversations about the future of energy.

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If You Don’t See Anyone Like You, It’s Because You’re Meant to Be There, with Joana Simão Costa and Ilaria Conti

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 05:15:00 +0000

This episode is a call to action.

Recorded at the stunning Florence School of Regulation with sponsorship from Energy Traders Europe, this special episode of Energ’Ethic shines a very necessary light on the link between representation, power, and progress in the energy transition.

Let’s say it again: there’s no energy transition without equality. From gas platforms with no toilets for women, to boardrooms still stuck in the status quo, the energy sector has work to do. But there are people doing that work, and doing it brilliantly.

Enter Joana Simão Costa, who leads the European Commission’s Equality Platform, and Ilaria Conti, behind the Lights on Women initiative and the LUCE Awards.

Together, we unpack:

why the Equality Platform is rewriting the rules from the inside,
how Lights on Women and the LUCE Awards went from grassroots frustration to global celebration, and
what it really takes to turn systemic bias into collective momentum.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever walked into a room and felt out of place, and for those ready to build rooms where everyone belongs.

Highlights:

“Should we fix the women or fix the system?”
Spoiler: it’s the system. Always.

“No ladies’ toilet at the gas substation? That’s the message.”
Inclusion starts with infrastructure

"If you don’t see anyone like you in the room, it’s because you are unique. Find what makes you you—and build on it.”
Yes. That’s a quote worth framing

From idea to impact
How Lights on Women handed out over 50 training scholarships, and why visibility is still half the battle

Mentoring, but smarter
Inside the Equality Platform’s B2B mentoring: because no one should have to reinvent equality on their own

LUCE means light, and action
Why celebrating legacy leaders and emerging talents matters. For confidence. For visibility. For change

Want More?

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ISnUkpKsz7o

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Too Young to Wait: How EYEN Built a Seat at the Energy Table, Federico Barbieri and Carlotta Ferri

Tue, 27 May 2025 05:15:00 +0000

This episode is about the people who got tired of waiting their turn — and built their own table instead.

Marine Cornelis sits down with Federico Barbieri and Carlotta Ferri, President and Vice-President of EYEN – the European Youth Energy Network, a buzzing coalition of young minds who decided that youth in Europe didn’t need another panel slot or empty round of applause — they needed power, presence, and purpose.

🚀 From sidelined to central: It all began in 2019 at a flashy international conference in Canada where youth delegates were invited... but kept out of the room where it happened. So what did they do? They took their post-its and ideas to a bar outside the European Commission and sketched out a new vision: an organisation built by and for youth to have a say in shaping Europe’s energy future.

💡 Not another talking shop: EYEN doesn’t just publish position papers or run events — it’s become a think-and-do tank, launching initiatives like:

The European Youth Energy Forum
The Young Energy Consumers Task Force
The Energy Transition Career Compass
And (soon) the first-ever survey on youth energy poverty in Europe

🧠 Real talk, no tokenism: Federico and Carlotta are refreshingly honest about what it takes to build something meaningful — from struggling with Belgian bureaucracy to navigating what "youth" really means when you’re trying to serve students, young parents, electricians and policy nerds all in one go.

🔧 Behind the scenes: EYEN’s secret? A network of over 2000 active volunteers across Europe, fuelled by mutual support, shared purpose — and zero membership fees. Because no one should be priced out of shaping the future.

💬 “Every time a local youth organisation dies out, a connection between society and the energy transition disappears.”
💬 “We don’t just want to be included. We want to bring value.”

Why listen?
Because if we keep talking about democratisation without asking who’s in the room, we’re missing the point. This episode is a celebration of doing things differently — and a roadmap for those brave enough to start from scratch.

🎧 Listen now — and if you’re under 35, join EYEN. If you’re over 35, send this to someone who isn’t. Or better yet, help fund the next youth-led breakthrough.

Thanks, Energy Traders Europe, for sponsoring this episode!

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Trading in Uncertainty, Investing in Europe, Mark Copley, Energy Traders Europe

Tue, 13 May 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Energ’Ethic, host Marine Cornelis sits down with Mark Copley, CEO of Energy Traders Europe, to pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood parts of our energy system: trading.

Energy trading often feels like a secret society—shrouded in jargon, heavy with high stakes, and, let’s be honest, not the most relatable part of the transition narrative. But Mark shows us a different side: one where traders act as the shock absorbers and oil in the engine of Europe’s energy system.

Together, they explore:

🔹 Mark’s Journey: From childhood train journeys across Europe to shaping policy at Ofgem, BEIS, and ACER, and ultimately championing energy trading at the European level.

🔹 What Traders Actually Do: Far from the Wolf of Wall Street stereotype, traders manage risk, stabilise volatile markets, and enable investments in renewables. Without them, fixed energy prices and large-scale renewable projects would be almost impossible.

🔹 The Role of Markets in Crisis: During the energy crisis, trading proved its strength—not its weakness—by keeping the system afloat amidst historic shocks.

🔹 Decarbonisation and Trading: Mark shares how efficient, well-regulated markets are key to supporting Europe’s decarbonisation goals—and why trading will become even more crucial as renewables dominate.

🔹 The Gender (and Diversity) Gap: We tackle the uncomfortable realities of trading’s male-dominated culture, the excuses still floating around, and why meaningful action is urgently needed.

🔹 A Call for Systemic Thinking: No single solution will deliver the energy transition. It is about integration—large-scale grids and local energy communities, innovation and regulation, policy ambition and market efficiency.

🔹 A Vision for Europe: Mark dreams of an "energy Hanseatic League," a Europe where collaboration and smart rules drive a cleaner, fairer, and more resilient system.

💬 “There is no shortage of smart ideas. The real challenge is working together, across borders, across sectors, to make the energy transition happen.” — Mark Copley

🌍 Why You Should Listen

If you want to understand why energy markets are essential to Europe’s green future—and how we can make them work better for people and the planet—this conversation is for you.

Expect honesty, wit, and a few bad bee metaphors (yes, really).

A big thanks to Energy Traders Europe for their generous sponsorship.

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AI’s Role in an Equitable Energy Transition (with Decisions Now)

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Marine Cornelis swaps roles and becomes the guest on Decisions Now, a podcast by Evalueserve exploring how AI and data are reshaping business decisions across sectors.

Together with host Erin Pearson, Marine dives into a topic close to her heart: how to make sure that innovation in the energy sector actually serves people—not just systems or markets.

This candid and wide-ranging conversation explores what it takes to build trust in a world increasingly driven by algorithms and automation.

🎧 Originally aired on Decisions Now, this episode is shared on Energ’Ethic as part of our partner content series.

Highlights

🔌 What energy fairness really means—from global access gaps to the silent struggles of European households making impossible choices between heating and eating.

🧠 AI as ‘augmented intelligence’—Marine explains why the human touch still matters, and how to use automation without losing accountability.

💬 The power of good communication—Why the energy sector needs less jargon and more empathy. Spoiler: your marketing team might be your best asset in the transition.

🧺 Toasters, transparency, and trust—A witty (and slightly unsettling) look at what our connected devices know about us, and why clear rules around data use matter more than ever.

🧓🏽 Consumer segmentation meets compassion—How different generations relate to energy providers, and why the best businesses learn to listen first.

Why listen?

This episode will resonate with anyone working in or around the energy transition—especially those curious about how to keep people at the centre of it all.

It’s also a great introduction to Decisions Now, a podcast that brings smart, engaging perspectives on how data and AI shape our world—without losing sight of human values.

🎙️ Listen now, and discover why the energy transition is as much about hearts and minds as it is about grids and algorithms.

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Making Solar Disappear to Make It Belong, Fabrizio Chiara, Sunspeker

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Marine Cornelis welcomes Fabrizio Chiara, founder and CEO of Sunspeker — an Italian startup proving that energy does not have to stand out to make a difference.

At Energ’Ethic, we have often asked what it takes to make the energy transition feel right.

With Mirte Jepma, we explored how homes carry more than walls — they carry dignity, stories, and belonging.
With Giulia Ulpiani, we stepped into cities — places where energy meets public space, beauty, and identity.
With Rune Kirt, we reflected on the power of design in building trust and acceptance.

Fabrizio brings these conversations to life — very practically.

With Sunspeker, he is developing recyclable films that make solar panels disappear — blending into rooftops, landscapes, and facades, especially in places where beauty and heritage matter most.

But this story is not just about technology. It is about love for a place. It is about industry coming back home. It is about making energy part of the scenery — not the problem.

Highlights:

🟡 “Who wants to see an ugly world?”
This simple question sparked Fabrizio’s entrepreneurial journey — turning frustration with visual pollution into an industrial innovation rooted in beauty.

🟡 From Canavese with Ambition
Sunspeker was born in Italy’s Canavese valley — an area shaped by Olivetti’s industrial legacy and now home to a new generation of clean energy manufacturing.

🟡 Energy Should Fit In
Fabrizio believes that in cities, beauty is not decorative — it is essential. Aesthetic integration can make the energy transition acceptable, desirable, and local.

🟡 Invisible Does Not Mean Less Powerful
Sunspeker’s technology maintains 80% panel efficiency — while overcoming regulatory and social barriers in heritage and urban areas.

🟡 Building Energy Communities, Building Pride: For Fabrizio, the future of energy is both technical and human: empowering buildings to produce and share energy — while reconnecting people to their local industrial pride.

Links

→ Learn more about Sunspeker: https://www.sunspeker.com/

→ Support their crowdfunding campaign (until May 2025): https://www.crowdfundme.it/projects/sunspeker/

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From the Ground Up: Housing, Resistance, and the Inclusive City, Mirte Jepma

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 05:07:00 +0000

Can urban renewal be fair?

In this episode of Energ’Ethic, host Marine Cornelis meets Mirte Jepma, a PhD researcher, feminist activist, and documentary maker whose work explores how cities can be made more liveable—without pushing out the people who already live there.

Mirte shares the story behind her film The Sinking Fringe, which follows the residents of a social housing neighbourhood in Amsterdam resisting displacement under the guise of urban “improvement.”

With a background in politics, philosophy, and urban studies, she brings a sharp, grounded lens to the very human cost of gentrification and top-down planning.

Together, we reflect on:

Why housing is never just about housing

What it means to co-create research and tell stories ethically

The risk of renovictions in the name of climate-friendly cities Lessons from Amsterdam, Milan, and Barcelona on collective housing and energy transitions, based on her research for the PREFIGURE project https://prefigure.eu

How care-based, feminist urbanism can shift how we plan our cities

🎬 We also go behind the scenes of documentary-making in an activist context—and what it means to hold the mic with, not for, a community.

For those working on climate, housing, or citizen participation, this episode is a must-listen reminder: resistance often begins at home.

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Seeing is Believing: Visual Storytelling for the Energy Transition, with Rune Kirt

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 06:07:00 +0000

In this episode, Marine Cornelis sits down with Rune Kirt, industrial designer, futurist, and co-founder of Kirt & Thomsen. His mission? To make the invisible visible. Rune helps clean tech innovators, policymakers, and communities turn energy projects from abstract concepts into tangible, visually compelling narratives that drive trust and acceptance.

Takeaways:

🎨 Seeing is Believing: How Visuals Transform Energy Perception
Energy projects—wind farms, solar parks, and grid infrastructure—often feel distant or abstract. Rune explains how immersive 3D renderings, VR, and data-driven visualizations make these projects real, relatable, and easier to support.

🤝 Building Public Trust Through Design
People are more likely to resist energy projects when they cannot fully grasp their impact. Rune’s approach fosters transparency, giving communities a clear visual understanding of proposed developments—turning skepticism into informed support.

🏗️ From Opposition to Engagement: How Storytelling Drives Acceptance
Infrastructure changes landscapes and daily lives. Rune’s firm collaborates with municipalities, businesses, and citizens to co-create visual narratives, ensuring projects feel inclusive rather than imposed.

⚡ Molten Salt Energy Storage: An Award-Winning Vision
Rune’s team won the Danish Design Award for their work on molten salt energy storage, a revolutionary solution for renewable energy storage. Their visual storytelling helped investors, policymakers, and the public see its potential and accelerate its adoption.

🌍 Beyond User-Centric: Designing for the Planet
Traditional design thinking focuses on users, but the energy transition requires a broader, planet-centric approach. Rune ensures that clean energy solutions are designed to serve both people and the planet, aligning technology with real-world needs.

📢 Why Seeing the Future is Key to the Energy Transition
The biggest challenge in clean energy is not just technology—it’s communication. If people can see and understand the energy transition, they are far more likely to support it. Rune’s work proves that compelling visuals can turn bold ideas into reality, making the transition smoother, faster, and more inclusive.

👉 Listen now to explore how visual storytelling is shaping the future of clean energy!

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Cities, Climate & the Laws of Human Dynamics, with Giulia Ulpiani

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 06:01:00 +0000

How do we make cities truly climate-neutral, according to science?

In this episode, Marine Cornelis welcomes Giulia Ulpiani, a Scientific Project Officer at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, who is at the forefront of urban climate adaptation and mitigation.

With a background in applied physics and energy efficiency, Giulia’s career has spanned building optimisation, urban overheating, and now large-scale climate governance. She shares her fascinating journey—from becoming a drone pilot in Australia to studying how cities can cool down and reduce emissions.

Now supporting the EU’s 100 Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission, Giulia explains the biggest barriers cities face in reaching net zero and why climate governance is often as complex as thermodynamics! She also dives into the role of trust, storytelling, and public engagement in ensuring climate policies translate into real action.

Key Takeaways:
✅ From Buildings to Cities: Giulia's journey from smart building optimisation to tackling urban overheating in Australia.
✅ The Power of Implementation: Why local projects—like greening school streets—are crucial in winning hearts and minds.
✅ Breaking Down Barriers: Cities struggle with funding, fragmented responsibilities, and bureaucratic inertia—but collaborative governance models and new financing approaches offer hope.
✅ Science and Storytelling: Climate science needs compelling narratives and trusted messengers to drive action.
✅ Empowering the Next Generation: The future of climate action lies in young leaders and community ambassadors.

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Unplugging from the Past - What the Baltic Synchronisation means for Europe, with Christoph Malzer

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 06:03:00 +0000

In this episode, Marine Cornelis hosts Christoph Malzer, Business Development Manager at Navitasoft, to discuss one of the most significant shifts in European energy history: the Baltic synchronisation. On 8 February 2025, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania officially disconnected from Russia’s BRELL system, marking the end of their reliance on Russian-controlled electricity operations and fully integrating into the European grid.

This transition took 18 years of planning and €1.6 billion in investment, with the goal of strengthening European energy security. But beyond infrastructure and technical success, the real challenge is public trust. As disinformation campaigns attempt to paint the shift as a risk to stability and affordability, the question remains: how do we ensure the public stays on board?

Highlights:

🔌 Breaking Free from Russia – What does the Baltic synchronisation mean for European energy independence, and how did it happen?

⚡ Balancing the Grid in a New Era – With volatile renewables replacing Russian baseload power, how will Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania ensure grid stability?

💰 The Price of Independence – While the estimated cost impact is minimal (~€1 per month per household), Russia has spread disinformation suggesting soaring prices and blackouts. How do we counteract these narratives?

🗣️ Public Trust is Key – Marine was the only policy expert in the room during a panel discussion on the transition, highlighting how public engagement is often missing from technical conversations. Without trust, even the best-designed projects face resistance.

📉 The Energy Trilemma in Action – The synchronisation is a case study in balancing security, sustainability, and affordability. It worked remarkably well, but ongoing efforts are needed to keep consumer confidence high.

Why It Matters:

The Baltic synchronisation isn’t just about cutting ties with Russia—it’s about proving that European energy independence can work for people, not just markets. The next few months will be crucial in ensuring that this transition remains a success, keeping energy affordable, reliable, and resilient against disinformation.

🎧 Listen now to hear how this shift unfolded, what it means for the future of European energy, and what lessons we can learn from it.

Energ' Ethic goes out every other week.

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Local Action, Fossil-Free Future: Duygu Kutluay on going Beyond Fossil Fuel

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 07:04:00 +0000

In this episode, Marine Cornelis sits down with Duygu Kutluay, a campaigner at Europe Beyond Coal/Beyond Fossil Fuels, to explore her inspiring work in renewable energy and local solutions. Originally from Istanbul and now based in Berlin, Duygu brings a unique global perspective to the fight against fossil fuels, shaped by her journey from sustainable agriculture in Anatolia to advocating for community-driven energy projects across Europe.

Highlights:

Building Local Power: Duygu shares how projects like London’s Energy Gardens are transforming railway stations into vibrant hubs for solar energy and urban farming, improving air quality and empowering communities.
Breaking Barriers for SMEs: With SMEs forming the backbone of Europe’s economy, Duygu reveals the challenges they face in accessing funding, technology, and knowledge—and the solutions needed to bring them into the energy transition.
Lessons from Turkey: Insights into how rooftop solar and renewable energy initiatives are gaining momentum in Turkey, and what Europe can learn from these dynamic efforts.
A Vision for 2035: Duygu discusses her mission to achieve a fossil-free power sector by 2035 while ensuring the transition benefits everyone, from urban neighbourhoods to rural communities.

Join us as we dive into Duygu’s inspiring journey, the challenges of creating inclusive energy solutions, and her vision for a cleaner, fairer world.

Resources and Links:

Explore Duygu’s work and examples of local energy solutions on the Beyond Fossil Fuels website.
Learn more about London’s Energy Gardens and how they’re turning railway stations into hubs for clean energy and community action.

Listen now on your favourite platform and don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn for more stories about the people powering the energy transition.

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Balancing the Future - Olivia Sicurani, Sympower

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 07:08:00 +0000

In this episode, Marine welcomes Olivia Sicurani, Head of Innovation at Sympower, a flexibility aggregator leading the way in creating a renewable energy future. Olivia shares her journey from being inspired by An Inconvenient Truth to driving innovation in the energy sector. With Sympower’s mission to balance the grid through smarter use of energy assets, Olivia offers insights into the challenges and opportunities in the energy transition.

Highlights:

- A Mission to Disrupt: Olivia reflects on her journey into the energy sector, leveraging her engineering background and startup experience to challenge the status quo.

- What is an Aggregator?: Discover how Sympower balances the electricity grid using flexibility from industrial and distributed assets, creating value and stability in renewable energy systems.

- From 10 to 220: Sympower’s growth story highlights the impact of favourable regulations and the company’s ability to scale solutions across Europe.

- Lessons in Leadership: As a woman in energy leadership, Olivia shares her experiences, challenges, and the importance of paving the way for others.

- Innovation in Action: Olivia discusses Sympower’s ongoing efforts to innovate and adapt in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

Quote to Inspire:

"Innovation is about trying, failing, and starting again with a smile on your face." — Olivia Sicurani

Why Listen?

This episode offers a unique perspective on the energy transition from someone at the forefront of innovation. Whether you're curious about the role of flexibility in balancing the grid or inspired by stories of leadership in male-dominated fields, Olivia’s journey showcases how determination and creativity can drive meaningful change in the energy sector.

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Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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Building Better Lives: Energy Efficiency Meets Social Justice - Monica Vidal

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 07:08:00 +0000

In this episode, Marine Cornelis welcomes Monica Vidal, the powerhouse behind CAN Europe’s Build Better Lives campaign, to discuss the intertwined challenges of energy poverty, housing crises, and climate change.

Monica shares how her science-driven background shaped her approach to advocacy and policy-making, focusing on collaboration and practical solutions. Together, Marine and Monica explore the pressing need for energy-efficient homes and the importance of policies that ensure no one is left behind in the energy transition.

Highlights:

- Tackling the Housing and Climate Crises: buildings contribute to 40% of EU energy consumption. Retrofitting and repurposing spaces are key for sustainability.

- Building Bridges for Better Lives: Monica discusses uniting 92 organisations to drive ambitious, socially just building policies.

- Energy Efficiency in Everyday Life: From old fridges to affordable solutions, why efficient appliances matter for vulnerable households.

- Policy with a Purpose: Learn about the Build Better Lives campaign’s role in shaping inclusive national renovation plans and engaging with the EU’s new housing and energy initiatives.

Why Listen?

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about creating a sustainable, equitable future. Monica offers a compelling vision for achieving energy-efficient, affordable homes for everyone, demonstrating that collaboration is key to driving the energy transition forward.

Join the Conversation:

Listen now on your favourite platform and follow Energ’Ethic on LinkedIn. Let’s unite to build better lives!

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61 - 2024 in Review: Progress, Bottlenecks, and the Road to Resilient Energy, with Anna Gumbau

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 07:04:00 +0000

In this final episode of 2024, Marine Cornelis welcomes journalist and moderator Anna Gumbau for a deep dive into the pivotal moments, challenges, and opportunities in energy policy this year.

Together, they explore the progress made on the EU’s Fit for 55 package, the shifting focus from social equity to competitiveness, and the pressing need for modernising Europe’s energy grids. Anna shares her insights on emerging challenges like grid modernisation, digitalisation, and gender equity in the energy sector. Marine brings her expertise to the table, offering insights on energy poverty, trust-building in the energy transition, and why fostering inclusivity in the middle-class and SME sectors is vital.

Anna also shares her plans to launch "Resonate," a new consultancy dedicated to amplifying changemakers’ voices.

Highlights:

A Year of Transition: Marine and Anna reflect on the EU’s achievements in climate policy, discussing how Fit for 55 solidified regulatory frameworks and set the stage for action while revealing cracks in competitiveness and social equity narratives.
Marine on Energy Poverty: Marine draws attention to the progress made in shielding vulnerable consumers through EU directives but stresses the importance of involving middle-class households and SMEs to ensure a truly inclusive transition.
Building Resilience Beyond Crisis: Both discuss the need for Europe to build just resilience, balancing social justice with industrial competitiveness. Marine argues that equitable energy transitions should be embedded into Europe’s DNA.
Digitalisation & Trust: Marine highlights how digitalisation could either bridge or widen gaps, advocating for a European approach grounded in transparency, privacy, and governance. She warns of missing the "digitalisation bus" without swift action.
Anna on Gender Equity: Anna underscores the urgency of addressing gender imbalances in the energy sector, championing initiatives like the Brussels Binder and the importance of visible representation in technical and leadership roles.
Looking to 2025: Political fragility in Europe and growing polarisation are identified as risks to the energy transition. Marine challenges listeners to consider the role of SMEs and the middle class in rebuilding trust and delivering meaningful progress.
Why You’ll Love This Episode: Anna’s insider perspective and Marine’s sharp observations combine to provide a candid, accessible, and inspiring look at the state of energy policy. Whether you are curious about the challenges ahead, eager to champion equity in the energy sector, or want to stay informed, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via X @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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60 - Can Frugal Innovation Light Up the World? Thomas Samuel, MOON

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 10:06:30 +0000

In this episode, Marine Cornelis hosts Thomas Samuel, the visionary founder of Sunna Design and Moon, two transformative ventures aimed at extending clean, accessible energy to underserved regions. Thomas shares how his journey from a surfing trip in Senegal led him to revolutionize solar-powered solutions for remote and off-grid communities. He discusses his mission to empower regions worldwide with sustainable lighting and energy autonomy, blending idealism with pragmatism to create impactful, scalable solutions.

Highlights:

Path to Solar Innovation: Thomas’s journey to founding Sunna Design started with a transformative experience in Senegal, where he discovered the power of solar. This realization led to the creation of smart solar street lighting, bringing sustainable light to communities lacking reliable energy infrastructure.
Community-Driven Design: Inspired by frugal innovation principles, Sunna Design focuses on creating affordable, efficient solar solutions that meet the specific needs of remote regions, from African villages to refugee camps, enhancing safety, education, and economic potential.
Scaling with Purpose: Through Moon, Thomas introduces pre-electrification solutions like solar street lights and indoor lighting systems, enabling communities to thrive before full-scale grid connection arrives.
A Local Mission with Global Insight: Bringing his solar mission home, Thomas has embarked on projects in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France, emphasizing the need for energy autonomy through household solar installations, addressing energy security, and reducing consumption.
A Pragmatic Approach to Energy Transition: Thomas shares his views on balancing energy autonomy with responsible land use, advocating for smaller, optimized installations over large-scale solar farms. He underscores the importance of not just producing renewable energy but also reducing overall consumption.
Bridging Insights Across Continents: Thomas explains how his work in Africa informs his approach in Europe, where his solutions aim to create a global movement toward a frugal, responsible energy future.

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59 - The Access-Washing Dilemma: Are Development Goals Missing the Mark? William Brent

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 07:10:00 +0000

In this compelling episode of Energ’Ethic, host Marine Cornelis sits down with William Brent, a true leader in climate solutions and energy justice. As the CMO of Husk Power Systems, a frontrunner in community solar energy, William shares his deep insights into the fight against energy poverty and the essential role of sustainable energy in the Global South. His journey—from early days witnessing China’s economic boom to shaping energy access initiatives in Africa—offers listeners a global perspective on systemic inequities in energy.

William discusses the concept of “access-washing”—a reality check on global energy goals, where basic energy access is often mistaken for true energy equity. With candid examples, he explores how, despite advancements, millions in rural communities are still underserved, unable to access the full potential of energy that can transform lives. Reflecting on his article, William emphasizes the need for a fundamental shift in how development finance institutions and private sector players approach energy access.

Marine and William touch on the pressing need for inclusive and transparent partnerships in the energy transition. As we approach COP29, they call for international collaboration and bold leadership to rethink and adapt strategies that truly address the needs of the most vulnerable.

Highlights:

- William’s Aha Moment – From a career in China to leading energy access initiatives, William shares his experiences shaping his commitment to climate and energy justice.

- "Access-Washing" in Energy – Why are basic energy solutions only the beginning of the push for truly modern, sustainable energy access?

- Finance & Equity at COP29 – A deep dive into how energy access relates to climate finance and the role of multilateral institutions.

- Advice for Changemakers – William calls young professionals to look to Africa for impactful careers and meaningful work in energy access.

Links:

- William’s LinkedIn

- Read William's Article on Sustainable Development Goals and Energy Justice

- Support Energ’Ethic on Patreon to keep these conversations alive.

Connect with Us:

Follow Energ’Ethic on LinkedIn to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes and insights from the frontlines of the energy transition.

Tune in and let this episode inspire you to contribute to a sustainable and just energy future!

Keep up to date with new episodes straight from your inbox: https://podcast.ausha.co/energ-ethic-climate-justice-and-energy-transition?s=1

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Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
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58 - Bridging Gaps: Europe, New York, and the Global Quest for Energy Equity - Louise Sunderland

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 07:00:00 +0000

The EU Fit-From-55 policy framework aims to balance climate goals with social objectives, but is it enough?

Host Marine Cornelis sits down with Louise Sunderland, Managing Principal at the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP), to explore how Europe’s energy transition can become more equitable—and what lessons we can learn from global movements.

The EU framework: a step forward, but…

Europe has made strides with the Fit for 55 framework, but Louise raises an important point: Europe still has blind spots when addressing energy poverty and inequality.

“The package does more than just cut emissions. There was a more significant than ever balancing of the climate and social objectives,” Louise explains. However, the real challenge is how these policies are implemented.

Bringing civil society into the room

One of the most groundbreaking elements of Fit for 55 is the involvement of civil society. “It’s about getting the right people in the room,” Louise says. For the first time, the framework ensures that civil society groups and national panels on energy poverty are part of the decision-making process.

Learning from global movements

Louise shares her experience at New York Climate Week, where energy justice is part of a broader conversation about civil rights and environmental justice. “The conversation there feels much more visceral,” she notes. Unlike in Europe, where discussions are often technical, the U.S. approach is deeply rooted in addressing historical injustices faced by marginalized and indigenous communities.

Louise urges Europe to adopt a similar global perspective, focusing on equity: “We’re talking about who controls energy, who benefits, and who’s left behind.”

Key Takeaways:

1. Fit for 55 is critical to balancing climate and social objectives, but it needs proper implementation.

2. Civil society ensures that energy policies are fair and inclusive.

3. Global lessons from places like the U.S. show that energy justice requires addressing historic and systemic inequities.

4. Energy equity isn’t just about prices but control, access, and fairness.

What’s next?

In Louise's words: "We can either have a social lens when we change that infrastructure, or we can just deliver it for infrastructure's sake.”

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Reach out to Marine Cornelis via X @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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57 - Land, Energy, and Community: What do we need for 100% renewables by 2040? - Cosimo Tansini, EEB

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 08:06:22 +0000

How Much Land Do We Really Need for 100% Renewable Energy?

Imagine a world where Europe runs entirely on renewable energy by 2040. That’s the vision Cosimo Tansini shares in this episode of Energ’Ethic—but how much land will that take? And can we achieve this without harming our planet's biodiversity?

In this engaging conversation, Marine Cornelis hosts Cosimo from the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) to break down the Paris Agreement Compatible (PAC) Scenario, which aims to fully power Europe with renewables. But what does that look like on the ground?

Cosimo offers a surprising comparison: “The land needed for 100% renewable energy in Europe is about 2.2%, roughly the size of Croatia." He adds, "Today, Europe uses almost triple that amount just for growing fodder crops to feed livestock.” That’s right—renewable energy could take up less space than we might imagine.

The conversation gets even more interesting when they dive into how renewables can do more than reduce emissions. Cosimo explains how renewable projects can strengthen communities, especially in rural areas: “Energy communities allow citizens to co-own their power plants, cut energy bills, and reinvest in local projects.” This isn’t just about electricity—it’s about empowerment.

But achieving 100% renewables means careful planning. Cosimo stresses the importance of protecting biodiversity and using tools like "sensitivity mapping" to find the best places for these projects. “We not only need space for renewables, but we also need space for nature,” he says.

Marine and Cosimo also discuss the need for energy sufficiency—using energy wisely, not just efficiently. “We’re too greedy for energy at the moment,” Cosimo admits. “We need to balance comfort with living within the limits of our planet.”

Key Points from the Episode:

1. Europe needs about 2.2% of its land to achieve 100% renewable energy, much less than the land used for fodder crops.

2. Energy communities give people a stake in their energy future, cutting bills and boosting local economies.

3. Renewables can be scaled up while protecting biodiversity, with proper planning and community involvement.

This episode offers fresh perspectives on the energy transition, showing that the shift to 100% renewables is not only possible but can also bring wide—ranging benefits if done right.

Want to know more about how much land we need, how energy projects can build stronger communities, and how we can balance renewable energy with nature?

Listen to Episode 57 now and join the conversation!

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Reach out to Marine Cornelis via X @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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56 - How Unions are Shaping a Fair Transition to Renewables - Tuscany Bell

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 06:12:00 +0000

What role do unions play in driving a fair transition to renewable energy?

In this episode of Energ'Ethic, we explore this critical question with Tuscany Bell, Utility Sector Lead at the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU).

In this episode of Energ'Ethic, we dive into the role of unions in driving a fair and inclusive transition to renewable energy. Tuscany Bell, Utility Sector Lead at the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU), shares insights on how unions shape the shift to renewables while ensuring workers are not left behind.

Tuscany explains why current mechanisms, like the Just Transition Fund, are too limited to meet the scale of the challenge.

She advocates for a Just Transition Directive that provides the necessary funding and policies to protect all workers—not just those in fossil fuel industries—as we move toward a cleaner energy future.

What’s at stake in the renewable energy shift?

With industries rapidly transitioning to renewables, a growing skills gap and an ageing workforce are major concerns. Tuscany discusses how unions are working to attract younger generations to the renewable energy sector by promoting training and ensuring that these new energy jobs are both fair and sustainable.

"We can’t leave people behind," Tuscany says. "Without workers as part of the solution, we risk losing the support needed to achieve our climate goals."

Promoting diversity in the renewable sector

Tuscany also highlights the need for greater gender diversity in the energy sector, which remains male-dominated. From advocating for inclusive hiring practices to improving working conditions, unions are leading efforts to create a more welcoming environment for women in the renewable energy workforce.

Union-led action for a renewable future

Collaboration is key. Tuscany emphasizes the importance of intergenerational knowledge transfer and how unions are partnering with NGOs and other stakeholders to ensure the transition to renewables is fair, democratic, and beneficial for all.

"Unions are critical to defending workers’ rights, and they must be involved in creating transition plans that work for everyone," she says.

Key takeaways:

Why a comprehensive Just Transition Directive is needed to ensure a fair shift to renewable energy.
How unions are addressing the skills gap in the renewable energy sector.
The critical role of gender diversity in creating a more inclusive renewable energy workforce.
How intergenerational collaboration is helping preserve vital skills for the renewable energy transition.

Tune in to hear how unions are ensuring the renewable energy transition is fair, inclusive, and just for all workers.

This episode is brought to you by the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), Europe’s largest network of environmental groups, working to fight for sustainable development, environmental justice, and a voice for citizens in shaping a greener future. Find here the EEB report on How Renewables can Help Regions Move Beyond Fossil Industries.

Don’t forget to tune in to the rest of our mini-series with the EEB where we explore the role of renewables in building a fair, inclusive energy future across Europe.

Tune in to learn more about the energy transition and the people making it happen!

Keep up to date with new episodes straight from your inbox: https://podcast.ausha.co/energ-ethic-climate-justice-and-energy-transition?s=1

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Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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55 - From Coal to Clean: Tackling Energy Poverty with Renewables - with Miłka Stępień, CEE Bankwatch Network

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Episode 55: Tackling Energy Poverty and Building a Fair Transition with Miłka Stępień

How can renewable energy end energy poverty while creating better jobs? In this episode of Energ' Ethic, we explore how Central and Eastern Europe is confronting these challenges with Miłka Stępień, Just Transition Campaign Coordinator at CEE Bankwatch Network.

Miłka brings 25 years of activism to the table, and she’s seen the energy transition from every angle. Her message is clear: the green transition must be fair, and it needs to work for everyone—especially those in vulnerable communities.

"If I see something isn't working, I feel the need to fix it," Miłka says, reflecting on how her journey into activism began in high school. It’s that spirit of problem-solving that has shaped her work in fighting for just transition policies that bring real benefits to both people and the planet.

What’s at stake for Central and Eastern Europe?

In this episode, Miłka shares her experience growing up in Eastern Wielkopolska, a coal-mining region in Poland. She explains the deep connections people in these areas have to coal and how the shift to renewable energy can feel like a threat. But Miłka believes the conversation must go deeper than that.

"We need to address people's fears. You can't just come in and say 'we’re closing the mines'. You have to understand why this transition is difficult for them," Miłka explains.

At the heart of these fears is heating poverty. In Central and Eastern Europe, it’s not just about the cost of electricity—it’s about how people heat their homes.

"For many households, heating is the biggest cost, not electricity. We need to focus on retrofitting homes and making them energy-efficient," she says.

Breaking down barriers to the energy transition

Miłka also highlights the real challenges that come with accessing EU funds, especially for rural and smaller municipalities.

"What we need is a network of energy advisors in every municipality, especially in rural areas. These advisors can guide people through the process of retrofitting homes and adopting renewable energy," Miłka explains.

She talks about how decentralized funding can help communities access the resources they need. Big projects may get headlines, but it's small, local initiatives that will make the biggest difference to those struggling with energy and heating poverty.

Throughout the episode, Miłka emphasizes the need for a participatory approach. Local communities must have a say in how the energy transition happens.

"It's not just about closing coal mines. It’s about listening to people and working together to create a future where everyone benefits," she says.

Key takeaways:

- The link between energy poverty and heating poverty in Central and Eastern Europe

- The importance of keeping high environmental standards, even in regions facing economic challenges

- The need for decentralized funding and technical assistance to make the green transition work in small communities

- Why participatory approaches are key to ensuring a just and inclusive transition

Read here the EEB report on How renewables can help vulnerable households, released today!

Check out the latest European Environmental Bureau (EEB) report on how the Social Climate Fund can help vulnerable households transition to renewable energy. And don't forget to tune in to the rest of our mini-series, where we explore how renewables can create jobs and fight energy poverty across the EU!

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[BACK TO WORK REPLAY] - Who Do We Want to Listen to and Trust in the Energy and Climate Transitions? - Jad Mouawad

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 06:10:00 +0000

In this thought-provoking episode of Energ’Ethic, we sit down with Jad Mouawad, a trailblazer in climate communication and a key figure in the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) pivot towards clean energy advocacy. With a career spanning over two decades, Jad has been at the forefront of merging energy policy with climate imperatives, advocating for a future where energy security and sustainability go hand in hand.
Bridging Climate and Energy Policies:
Jad reflects on the evolution of energy coverage, from its initial environmental footprint to its undeniable impact on climate change. He shares his journey from The New York Times, where he championed the integration of energy industry coverage with climate implications, to his pivotal role at the IEA.
We delve into:

The IEA’s Transformation
Mainstreaming Information
Combatting Misinformation
Competing for Attention
Convincing the Audiences
Trust in Science and Accessibility
The Power of Positive News
The Power of Information:
With a powerful message on the transformative potential of information, Jad calls for a concerted effort to reshape perceptions through factual storytelling, highlighting the economic and societal shifts already underway.
Resources:
Ipsos Earth Day poll (2023)

https://www.ipsos.com/en/earth-day-2023-concern-and-focus-slipping-climate-change

Pew Trust in Scientists poll (2022)

https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2022/02/15/americans-trust-in-scientists-other-groups-declines/

Reuters Digital News Report 2023 (about Tik Tok and other social networks)

https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news-report/2023

Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean) editorial in the Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jun/03/electric-vehicles-early-adopter-petrol-car-ev-environment-rowan-atkinson

Rebuttal by Simon Evans

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jun/08/fact-check-why-rowan-atkinson-is-wrong-about-electric-vehicles

IEA’s World Energy Outlook 2023

https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2023

IMF, Public Perceptions of Climate Mitigation Policies: Evidence from Cross-Country Surveys https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Staff-Discussion-Notes/Issues/2023/02/07/Public-Perceptions-of-Climate-Mitigation-Policies-Evidence-from-Cross-Country-Surveys-528057?cid=bl-com-SDNEA2023002
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Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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[SUMMER REPLAY] - We need lawyers in the room - Tedd Moya Mose, University of Oxford

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 06:32:00 +0000

"We all live under the same sun"

In this fascinating discussion, Tedd Moya Mose, a lawyer, academic, and consultant at the University of Oxford, looks at the power of law to broaden access to electricity worldwide. From his experience as a lawyer in Kenya to British universities, he has come to understand that “if we get the legal framework or policy or regulation wrong, it is very, very difficult to have effective energy systems, and it's very difficult to have modern life as we know it in a sustainable way.“

He looks at the principles needed for energy justice to be truly implemented, the power of information sharing, and the need to ensure that the law is applied in a fair and equitable manner. “Even the best-written laws need people who understand them to apply them. But the community also needs to be aware that these laws exist and need to know what rights there are to enforce them.”

The law is also instrumental in creating a level playing field and reconciling often conflicting objectives. This is what he calls the “energy trilemma”, opposing three equally strong interests: financial, environmental and political. The “law should come and be almost like the pivot; it should be at the centre of this dilemma and try to balance these interests”.

Finally, he provides an expert view of international treaties and agendas such as the 7th Sustainable Development Goal and the newly recognised UN right to a “clean and healthy environment”. “The law establishes rules, regulations and standards that have to be followed. (…) We need to have the same legal aims and principles. And once those legal aims and principles are well known and documented, they can infuse any legal system. So instead of looking at changing legal systems, what we need to do is to continually develop and accept and adopt and pass laws that carry certain legal standards and legal principles and legal aims that then will lead to action.”

Tedd Moya Mose is a lawyer, academic, and consultant Researcher and Fellow at the University of Oxford focused on mitigating climate change through the transition to a low carbon economy. In his work, he investigates the impact of law on various energy technologies and projects in sub-Saharan Africa, the UK, and the Middle East. Find him on Twitter @Contentedd or LinkedIn

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[SUMMER REPLAY] Creating a world where disabled people can thrive - Lucie Middlemiss, University of Leeds

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 06:29:00 +0000

Why is energy poverty unsustainable?

How do disabled people navigate the transition to net-zero?

The “just transition” could be the right framework to rethink the way our societies are designed, and make sure disabled people are taking ownership of the opportunities presented. But first, we need to acknowledge that “The current distribution of energy is unfair to disabled people in the sense that they do not have as much access to energy."

Prof. Lucie Middlemiss is Professor of Environment and Society in the Sustainability Research Institute, at the University of Leeds in the UK. She wrote the first textbook on Sustainable Consumption, and has research interests in sustainable consumption, energy poverty and participation in sustainable development. Her research bridges the gaps between energy consumption in daily life, planning, measuring, monitoring and decision-making.

Read here Lucie's most recent paper, Characterizing the energy use of disabled people in the European Union towards inclusion in the energy transition, with Diana Ivanova.

Lucie's on Twitter: @LucieMiddlemiss

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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[SUMMER REPLAY] Fairness means listening to the experiences of all communities - Elizabeth Blakelock

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 06:12:00 +0000

"We cannot afford to exclude any community from this transition"

What is energy justice and how can it be developed?

In this episode, Dr Elizabeth Blakelock shares her experience as a fierce advocate for citizens' rights to fair treatment in the energy market. She tells us how she opened her eyes to the intersectionality of race and vulnerability in the sector, and how she is now fighting for energy policies to become explicitly anti-racist. She shares her advice on how to create strategies that put the lived experiences of citizens at the centre, in order to create services, products, programmes and strategies that are truly inclusive by design. Eventually, she addresses the opportunities that the energy transition represents for creating fairer societies

"There is so much more to the energy system than technical decisions about moving electrons along a wire"

Dr Elizabeth Blakelock is a champion of the rights of everyone to have access to a warm and safe home. She is passionate about tracking the impacts that firms' decision-making has on people's lives. Then she uses that data to help design essential service markets that are inclusive by design. Elizabeth has been working in the corporate world, as an academic, the charity sector and an energy regulator. As an academic, Elizabeth co-authored the report “Fairness in UK Energy Markets” and in 2020 she finished her Ph.D. on how powerful ideas influence the rules of the energy market to undermine processes that were supposed to ensure inclusive policymaking.

Reports mentioned:

Inclusive design in essential services https://fairbydesign.com/inclusive-design/
Diversifying Power: Why We Need Antiracist, Feminist Leadership on Climate and Energy. Stephens, Jennie https://islandpress.org/books/diversifying-power
Powerful women: https://powerfulwomen.org.uk/board-statistics-by-company-2021/

Find Dr Elizabeth Blakelock’s work on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethblakelock/

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinecornelis
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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[SUMMER REPLAY] "There's no shortage of people passionate about improving other people's lives" - Rose Chard, Energy Systems Catapult

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 06:21:00 +0000

"If we design for low-income vulnerable energy consumers, there can be benefits to a whole range of consumers"

Rose Chard, Fair Future Lead at Energy Systems Catapult, shares her expert insights on how to make the net-zero transition work for low-income and vulnerable consumers and how businesses can design products and services that benefit all consumers.

We discuss the challenges of fuel poverty and how the energy and health sectors can collaborate to keep people warm and well in their homes, in particular through the Warm Home Prescription Programme developed with the NHS.

Rose also shares her views on the changing smart and flexible energy system and how it can be translated into consumers' homes.

Throughout the episode, Rose provides valuable advice for businesses looking to create sustainable and inclusive products and services. She emphasizes the importance of thinking differently about how we use energy in our homes, beyond just kilowatt hours, to focus on warmth, hygiene, and comfort.

Dr Rose Chard holds a PhD in social sciences and over 10 years of experience as a Consumer Insight Manager. She is now Fair Future Lead at Energy Systems Catapult. As a specialist in consumer-centred energy products and services, Rose has been helping translate consumer insights into policy, product, and service design to address consumer vulnerability and energy poverty issues.

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
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54 - The Climatize Effect: Driving Collective Financial Power for Environmental Action, with Will Wiseman

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 06:10:00 +0000

In this episode, I’m joined by Will Wiseman, the CEO and co-founder of Climatize. Will is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree for social impact and a recognized Young Global Changer. He’s leading a groundbreaking movement that allows anyone to invest in renewable energy projects with as little as $10. Climatize has already amassed over 850 investors, collectively pouring $3.75 million into 11 community solar projects across seven states in the U.S., many of which support underrepresented communities.

Highlights from the Episode:

Will’s Journey to Climate Action:
- Will shares his unique path from studying finance and engineering to becoming a pivotal figure in renewable energy. Inspired by his father, a marine biologist, he witnessed the fragility of our ecosystems from a young age, which spurred his commitment to climate action.
- Starting in project management and construction, Will gained hands-on experience in the renewable sector, eventually leading him to establish Climatize, a platform aimed at democratizing investment in clean energy.
The Climatize Model:
- Discover how Climatize breaks down the financial barriers to investing in renewable energy. Will explains their innovative approach to fractionalized loans, allowing everyday people to contribute to significant solar projects.
- The platform targets a crucial funding gap in the $250,000 to $5 million range for small to medium-scale projects, which traditional banking institutions often overlook.
Navigating Regulatory Challenges:
- Will recounts the strategic pivot from Europe to the U.S. due to the complex regulatory landscape across the European Union’s 27 member states. He details how Climatize overcame these hurdles to establish a scalable operation in the U.S.
- The discussion also touches on the transformative impact of the Inflation Reduction Act in the U.S., which has significantly boosted the renewable sector by extending tax credits and making them transferable.
The Impact of Climate Finance:
- Learn how Climatize is enabling investments in solar energy and empowering communities. Projects funded through the platform contribute to clean energy production while providing economic benefits to local communities.
- Will discusses the diverse profiles of their investors and how the platform cultivates trust and engagement among individuals eager to make a tangible impact on the climate crisis.
Future Goals and Global Ambitions:
- With an ambitious goal to fund $1 billion in renewable energy projects annually within the next five years, Will outlines the steps Climatize is taking to scale its impact.
- The conversation also explores the potential for replicating Climatize’s model in developing countries, emphasizing the importance of accessible and decentralized financing for global electrification.

Key Takeaways:

Accessible Investment: Climatize enables individuals to invest small amounts in large-scale renewable projects, democratizing climate finance.
Community Impact: Beyond financial returns, Climatize projects deliver social and environmental benefits to underrepresented communities.
Scalable Solutions: Will highlights the importance of overcoming regulatory barriers and leveraging policy changes to scale renewable energy investments.

Tune in to hear Will’s inspiring story and learn how Climatize is turning climate finance into a tool for empowerment and action. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or new to the world of renewable energy, this episode provides valuable insights into how we can all contribute to the energy transition.

Keep up to date with new episodes straight from your inbox: https://podcast.ausha.co/energ-ethic-climate-justice-and-energy-transition?s=1

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn.
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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Special episode #EUSEW2024: EU: the Dog Who Caught The Bus?

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +0000

We have a Green Deal, we had elections: now, what?

Last week, I attended the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), a flagship event driving the future of sustainable energy in Europe.

I decided to record a special episode of the Energ'ethic podcast right from the event.

It’s a great moment to take the temperature in Brussels and ask a few people about European’s energy and climate priorities for the years to come.

Right after the European elections, I’ve been feeling that the EU is like the dog who has just caught the bus.

Does it know where it is going now?

What is the next step?

Can Europe keep on being the climate leader?

And how?

So I asked two questions:

what should be the energy and climate policy priorities in the years to come?
And
Do you think discussions at EUSEW are reflecting these priorities?

🗣 I spoke with some brilliant minds, including: Jaume Loffredo from Smarten, Julie Kjestrup from Velux, Anna Gumbau, Marco Gervasi from Eyen, Professor Lucia Ruggeri, Jad Mouawad, Lorraine Claffey from Energy Traders Europe, Max Joel from NYSEDA, Johannes Volmer from the European Renewable Energy Federation

🎙 What did they say?

We need to ploy more renewables quickly, and "Harnessing flexibility is fundamental if we want to achieve our climate targets," Said Jaume Loffredo

Improving our electricity grids to handle increased renewable energy is critical. Marco noted, "We need to invest more money and deliver in the next five years."

Julie Kjestrup underscored the need for action. "Implementation is key – it’s about delivery, not just planning."

Anna Gumbau discussed the importance of unlocking funds for the energy transition. "We need to find the right balance between public finance and unlocking investor certainty," she said.
But as Lucia Ruggeri urged, "Social justice must be at the heart of the green transition."

🛠 In short:

Inclusiveness and equity must be central to energy policies.
Public participation is crucial.
Now is time for effective implementation of the bold Green Deal policies - and go further!

We’re watching - and listening.

It’s been a delight to record such meaningful conversations. Let's continue to push for a just and inclusive energy transition. Together, we can make a difference! 🌿

Keep up to date with new episodes straight from your inbox: https://podcast.ausha.co/energ-ethic-climate-justice-and-energy-transition?s=1

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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53 - Media, Education, and Ethics: Shaping the Future of Energy Conversations, Areti Ntaradimou, ENLIT

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +0000

In this episode Marine Cornelis, sits down with Areti Ntaradimou, a seasoned journalist and expert in the European energy sector, to delve into the intersection of ethics, diversity, and innovation in the energy field.

Areti brings over two decades of journalism experience and academic credentials in philosophy and applied ethics, offering a unique perspective on the importance of ethical considerations in the energy transition. She emphasizes the need to go beyond traditional engineering and economic approaches to include ethical thinking in tackling future energy challenges. As Areti puts it, “If we don’t solve our energy issues, then we will have huge problems in the future, not only for us but for future generations.”

The conversation explores the evolving role of diversity in the energy sector. Areti and Marine discuss bringing various backgrounds and perspectives into energy discussions. “It’s not only about the technical side...we also need people who can understand the intricacies and what it implies for the people,” Marine notes, highlighting how a multifaceted approach can lead to more comprehensive and effective solutions.

Trust emerges as a central theme. Areti talks passionately about how fostering trust between stakeholders, from policymakers to consumers, is crucial for a successful energy transition. She shares insights from her work at Enlit Europe’s EU Project Zone, where they aim to “give a forum to everybody to discuss the energy transition,” ensuring that diverse voices are heard and respected. This inclusive approach helps build the trust for collaborative and sustainable energy initiatives.

Areti and Marine discuss gender balance. Areti reflects on the progress made, noting that at Enlit events, they strive for gender balance in panels and discussions. She proudly shares, “Last year in our advisory committee meeting, the impact circle, my table was all women and one man. I was so proud of it.”

Areti also provides a glimpse into the innovative projects supported by the EU Project Zone. She describes the transition from a small initiative with just a few projects to a major platform showcasing over 80 projects. This growth illustrates the increasing recognition of the importance of ethical and sustainable practices in energy. The platform not only facilitates the sharing of knowledge but also helps in creating meaningful connections. Areti shares her excitement for their new matchmaking sessions, designed to foster collaboration and innovation.

Sustainability practices at Enlit events are also highlighted, including their decision to eliminate carpets to reduce environmental impact. Although this choice faced some backlash, it underscores their commitment to sustainability. Areti explains, “We wanted to care about sustainability, about energy footprint. You have no idea...how much it costs as energy and garbage...This is something that you destroy right after you use it.”

Looking ahead, Areti expresses her enthusiasm for the upcoming European Sustainable Energy Week and the next Enlit Europe event in Milan. These events promise to showcase groundbreaking conversations and projects, furthering the mission of a fair and sustainable energy transition.

Join Marine and Areti in this thought-provoking episode as they navigate the intersection of ethics, diversity, and innovation in the energy sector.

Links:

Keep up to date with new episodes straight from your inbox: https://podcast.ausha.co/energ-ethic-climate-justice-and-energy-transition?s=1

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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52 - Trust in Transitions - Karin Thalberg

Wed, 29 May 2024 06:30:00 +0000

In our final episode of the series on Energy Citizenship with the EnergyPROSPECTS project, we're diving deep into the essence of trust and its pivotal role in the energy transition. Join Marine Cornelis as she welcomes Karin Thalberg, a dedicated research fellow in European Energy Policy at the Jacques Delors Institute. Together, they explore how citizen involvement and trust form the backbone of sustainable energy systems across Europe.

Karin opens the discussion by reflecting on her journey through various cultural and professional landscapes—from Sweden to India and now Paris—highlighting how these experiences have shaped her understanding of local participatory sustainable development. "Sometimes you just have those moments where a lot of different paths align perfectly," Karin shares, emphasizing the serendipity that led her to her current role, which marries her background in international development with her commitment to energy policy.

Marine and Karin discuss the complexities of building trust, particularly in diverse communities where mistrust can be a significant barrier to engagement. Karin notes, "Trust is constantly one of the key barriers for people to actually engage in the energy transition." They delve into the nuances of this challenge, exploring how social inequalities and policy incoherence often contribute to deep-seated scepticism about energy initiatives. Karin stresses the importance of addressing these issues head-on, ensuring that energy transition policies are both inclusive and transparent.

One of the episode's highlights is Karin's insight into the practical aspects of fostering trust through local projects. She recounts examples from the EnergyPROSPECTS project, where partnerships between citizen organizations, municipalities, and private actors have led to successful local energy transitions. "If you have a renewable energy project at the local level, bringing in the municipality creates more legitimacy for what they're doing," Karin explains. She praises the dynamism of grassroots movements and their ability to integrate local voices into broader sustainability initiatives, ensuring that all community members can have their say and share in the benefits.

The speakers emphasize the transformative power of these collaborations, pointing out how local networks, including small and medium-sized enterprises, play a crucial role in the fabric of local economies and the broader energy landscape. They invite listeners to consider how integrating the concept of trust into everyday discussions about energy can lead to more resilient and engaged communities.

As they wrap up the series, Marine and Karin encourage everyone to think critically about how trust—or the lack thereof—shapes their perceptions and actions regarding energy consumption and sustainability.

This episode is brought to you with the generous support of the EnergyPROSPECTS project (EU Horizon 2020 Grant agreement 101022492)

Keep up to date with new episodes straight from your inbox: https://podcast.ausha.co/energ-ethic-climate-justice-and-energy-transition?s=1

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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51 - Laying the Groundwork: Environmental Activism in Latvia's Green Shift - Janis Brizga

Wed, 15 May 2024 06:09:00 +0000

Welcome to a new episode of the Energ' Ethic podcast, where we delve into the stories of those who cultivate the energy transition and harvest its benefits for a more sustainable future.

In today’s enlightening conversation, Janis Brizga, an environmental activist with roots in Latvia's movements since the Soviet era, shares how deeply ingrained values and ethical debates have grown into robust frameworks for today’s energy and environmental challenges.

Janis reflects on his journey from being part of the nascent environmental activism during the Soviet Union's collapse to embracing interdisciplinary approaches that combine academia, administration, and grassroots movements to address environmental challenges. He discusses the shift in Latvia's environmental movements from the passionate activism of the 1990s to more practical, utilitarian strategies today.

Exploring the theme of local energy reliance, Janis shares how Latvia's dependence on forest biomass for energy sparks significant debates on sustainability and conservation. He advocates for the integration of energy communities to bridge the gap between good intentions and actual energy solutions, highlighting both the potential and the challenges—such as low trust in institutions and lack of technical tools—that need overcoming to enhance energy democracy.

The conversation also covers how technological advancements and government policies are reshaping Latvia's energy production and consumption landscapes. Janis emphasizes the importance of making sustainable energy solutions accessible, especially for low-income groups, to foster inclusive community involvement.

Addressing public engagement, Janis confronts the myths and resistance surrounding new energy technologies like wind and solar power, underscoring the need for robust public engagement and trust building. He also celebrates the burgeoning permaculture movement in Latvia as a hopeful sign of sustainable living and local resource management.

Marine and Janis conclude with a discussion on energy citizenship initiatives, highlighting how these efforts contribute significantly to the European energy transition by integrating sustainable practices into daily lives and broader policy frameworks.

Join us as we uncover the narrative of change-makers like Janis Brizga, who nurture the seeds of sustainable development and cultivate the ground for a greener, more equitable future.

This episode is brought to you thanks to the generous sponsorship of EnergyPROSPECTS (PROactive Strategies and Policies for Energy Citizenship Transformation), European Commission Grant Agreement No. 101022492. EnergyPROSPECTS is a Horizon 2020 project that examines the potential of energy citizenship to contribute to the European energy transition.

Keep up to date with new episodes straight from your inbox: https://podcast.ausha.co/energ-ethic-climate-justice-and-energy-transition?s=1

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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50 - Growing the Roots of Energy Citizenship - Edina Vadovics

Wed, 01 May 2024 06:30:00 +0000

Welcome to a new episode of the Energ' Ethic podcast, where we explore the cultivation of community involvement in sustainability efforts and the harvesting of its benefits for a greener future.

In today’s discussion, Edina Vadovics, Director of Research at GreenDependent Institute and President of GreenDependent Association, sheds light on how environmental awareness and social connections within communities act as seeds that grow into robust networks, driving the collective momentum needed for effective climate action.

Edina champions the transformation of energy users into proactive agents in the energy system. She emphasizes the importance of nurturing energy-saving practices and advocating for green policies and technologies to cultivate an inclusive and democratic energy landscape. This shift involves planting deeper engagement of communities in the sustainability transition beyond mere conservation.

Addressing challenges, Edina notes the infrastructural and policy barriers that may stunt growth in certain regions and underscores the necessity of a 'creative rebellion' to fertilize these grounds with innovative solutions. She highlights continuous education as key to germinating new skills and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

The conversation also covers the EU-funded EnergyPROSPECTS Project, which offers fresh insights into evolving energy systems in small towns and cities to better meet resident needs. This project unites various stakeholders—from activists and scientists to policymakers and citizens—encouraging a collective ownership of energy resources and inspiring communities to meaningfully participate in harvesting Europe’s climate goals.

Edina discusses initiatives where local groups, supported by experts, learn to conduct home energy audits and adjust their energy use, achieving significant savings and promoting energy efficiency without major lifestyle changes.

Furthermore, Edina explores the expansion of energy 'neighbours' groups, who are broadening their focus from energy savings to other sustainability areas like waste management and mobility, showing how these groups have grown from saplings into mature forces for broader environmental change.

Marine and Edina also touch on the resistance faced by energy communities, particularly from techno-regulatory perspectives, but how these challenges have spurred creative solutions, resilience, and economic advantages, much like trees that grow stronger from withstanding storms.

The episode wraps up with our speakers emphasizing that energy citizenship is more than a practice—it's a lifestyle that integrates sustainability into daily routines and policies, aiming for a greener and more equitable future.

Join us as we explore these intricate dynamics and celebrate the individuals and communities driving the energy transition, nurturing the seeds of change towards sustainable living.

This episode is brought to you with the generous support of the EnergyPROSPECTS project (EU Horizon 2020 Grant agreement 101022492)

Keep up to date with new episodes straight from your inbox: https://podcast.ausha.co/energ-ethic-climate-justice-and-energy-transition?s=1

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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49 - Cash Currents: Financing the Flow of Citizen Energy, Stanislas D'Herbemont, RESCOOP.EU

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 06:04:00 +0000

In today's episode of the Energ' Ethic Podcast, we dive into the heart of energy transition with Stanislas d'Herbemont from RESCOOP.EU and the BruPower Cooperative. Stanislas' journey from business administration to leading community energy projects in Brussels shows just how impactful community-driven energy can be.

From Business to Energy: Stanislas shares how his curiosity about renewable energy and community microgrids led him from a career in accounting to becoming a key player in community energy, driving forward initiatives that connect citizens directly with their energy sources.

Financing What Matters: Financing is crucial for energy communities, and Stanislas discusses the challenges and solutions in finding funds that work for these unique projects. The blend of public and private investment is essential, and Stanislas' insights provide a roadmap for navigating this complex landscape.

The Heart of the Matter: Stanislas nails it when he says, "The vision behind energy communities was to create a different world, one based on co-benefits. These aren't just add-ons; they're the essence of our experience as citizens. It's about social cohesion, a cleaner future for our kids, and having control over our energy. We're talking about making energy democracy a reality in Europe through community ownership."

Building Trust and Engagement: Stanislas' stories from the BruPower Cooperative highlight how trust and community involvement are key to the success of energy projects. They're inspiring examples of what we can achieve when we work together for a sustainable future.

Advice for Future Energy Communities: If you're thinking about starting or joining an energy community, Stanislas' message is clear: it's going to be tough, but the support of your community and the importance of the cause make it worth the effort.

BruPower's Mission: BruPower is all about providing affordable, sustainable energy in Brussels, pushing for a better understanding of energy use and production. With plans to expand and directly supply its members, BruPower is making strides towards a sustainable urban energy model.

Get Involved: Feeling inspired? Check out BruPower and see how you can be part of the energy transition, whether in Brussels or your own community.

Thanks for tuning in! Together, we're powering the energy transition one community at a time.

Keep up to date with new episodes straight from your inbox: https://podcast.ausha.co/energ-ethic-climate-justice-and-energy-transition?s=1

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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48 - Tying the Laces of Sustainability: Earthbound Sneakers, with Mikael Hietala

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 06:15:00 +0000

In this captivating episode of Energ' Ethic, we lace up to explore the visionary world of Earthbound Sneakers - a trailblazing enterprise rooted in the historic shoemaking town of Karlovatz, Croatia. With sustainability at its core, Earthbound Sneakers is on a mission to transform the footwear industry, one bio-based sneaker at a time. Join us as we dive into the heart of Earthbound's ethos, where innovation meets environmental stewardship, with Mikael Hietala, Earthbound's sustainability officer.

Key Highlights:

- Pioneering the Green Revolution: Discover how Earthbound Sneakers is leading the charge in sustainable fashion, utilizing predominantly bio-based materials to craft their eco-friendly trainers.

- Certifications and Norms: Gain insights into the prestigious accolades that Earthbound Sneakers has earned, including the world's first OEKO-TEX Standard100 certification for a pair of sneakers and becoming Croatia's first B Corp. These milestones highlight Earthbound's commitment to quality and sustainability and set a new benchmark for transparency and corporate responsibility in the footwear industry.

- A Journey of Transparency: Learn about Earthbound's dedication to openness, from acknowledging the challenges of achieving a fully bio-based product to fostering a dialogue with customers that's built on trust and mutual respect for our planet.

- Sustainable Practices: Hear about the innovative steps Earthbound has taken towards sustainability, including the transition to a factory powered by solar power and geothermal heat pumps. This commitment to renewable energy exemplifies Earthbound's holistic approach to eco-conscious manufacturing.

- The Future of Footwear: Mikael Hietala shares his vision for Earthbound Sneakers and the sustainable future of the fashion industry. Discover the ongoing efforts and future initiatives aimed at minimizing environmental impact and encouraging a shift towards more sustainable consumer behavior.

Earthbound Sneakers is thrilled to extend an exclusive 10% discount to our listeners! Use the code NEC10 at checkout to embrace sustainability in style. This special offer is valid until April 18, 2024—don't miss your chance to step into eco-conscious footwear with Earthbound.

Keep up to date with new episodes straight from your inbox: https://podcast.ausha.co/energ-ethic-climate-justice-and-energy-transition?s=1

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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47 - Standards, the Compass for Navigating Climate Action, with Shana Gallagher, BSI

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 08:39:00 +0000

🌱 Welcome to 'Energ’ Ethic,' your gateway to the evolving landscape of sustainability. This episode promises to be a landmark in our series, as we navigate the intricate world of international standards and their pivotal role in navigating global climate action. Join our host, Marine Cornelis, as she engages with Shana Gallagher, the acclaimed Net Zero Engagement Manager at the British Standards Institution (BSI), in a thought-provoking dialogue that is set to redefine our approach to achieving a sustainable future.

🔍 Diving Deep with Shana Gallagher: Today, we unravel the essence of international standards organizations and their indispensable contributions towards a greener planet. Shana, with her unparalleled expertise and dynamic leadership, sheds light on how these bodies shape, define, and propel our collective strides towards carbon neutrality.

💡 Curbing Greenwashing: One of the episode's highlights is an in-depth discussion on the crucial role of standards in combating greenwashing. Shana emphasizes the importance of these benchmarks in ensuring accountability, promoting transparency, and harmonizing sustainable practices across industries. By setting clear criteria for what constitutes a genuine net-zero footprint and execution plan, these guidelines play a vital role in bolstering consumer trust and industry integrity.

🌎 The Symphony of International Collaboration: Our conversation ventures into the realm of international cooperation, spotlighting the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) as a key player orchestrating the global response to climate change. This segment illuminates the significance of unified action and the collective effort required from all stakeholders, regardless of size, to contribute to a sustainable and eco-conscious future.

🔮 Looking Ahead: Stay tuned for upcoming episodes that explore the practical implications of sustainable standards across various sectors, including fashion and finance, marking the next steps in our journey towards a more sustainable world.

Join us on 'Energ’ Ethic,' where we continue to shape perspectives and inspire action towards a sustainable future, one episode at a time.

---

Download the ISO Net Zero Guidelines at: iso.org/NetZero

Keep up to date with new episodes straight from your inbox: https://podcast.ausha.co/energ-ethic-climate-justice-and-energy-transition?s=1

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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46 - Championing Gender Balance in Sustainability - Silvia Sartori

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 08:15:00 +0000

Join us as we engage with the remarkable Silvia Sartori, an acclaimed international development specialist whose work has been pivotal in intertwining gender perspectives with sustainable energy and development projects across Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

1. A Journey from Technicalities to Sustainable Urbanisation:

Silvia Sartori begins by reflecting on her early experiences with an initiative on energy efficiency in construction in Asia. Although seemingly dry, this technical project laid the foundation for her broader work in sustainable development and gender mainstreaming. At the time, she noticed the absence of women in sustainability reports and policy dialogues. This gap fueled her drive to ensure gender representation. Despite EU mandates for gender equality, she observed a lack of systematic integration of gender perspectives in many initiatives, leading her to pursue deeper insights into the gender dynamics within the field of sustainable energy.

2. The Switch Asia Programme and the Essence of Gender Assessment:

Silvia discusses her time with the EU's Switch Asia Programme, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive gender assessment in project design. She passionately argues that inclusivity in sustainability projects isn't just beneficial; it's essential. This segment dives into how projects engaging women lead to more favorable outcomes and the complexities of achieving gender balance considering cultural sensitivities.

3. Cultural Norms and Egalitarianism in Energy Interventions:

Our guest discusses the critical importance of cultural norms when implementing energy interventions and the existing gap in gender representation within the energy sector. Silvia's vision for a world where gender mainstreaming and inclusivity are at the core of every initiative shines through, offering a glimpse into a future of egalitarian development.

4. A Vision for the Future:

Wrapping up the episode, Silvia Sartori enthuses listeners with her hope for a future where gender mainstreaming is the standard. Her insights into achieving a gender-balanced workforce in the energy sector inspire a call to action for inclusivity and diversity.

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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45 - Flex-ability for All: Uniting DSF and Energy Justice, Sophie Yule-Bennett and Louise Sunderland

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 07:31:00 +0000

In this episode, we're joined by Sophie Yule-Bennett and Louise Sunderland from the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP). They delve into the complexities of demand-side flexibility (#DSF) and its pivotal role in advancing Europe's green transition while balancing energy justice considerations.

Sophie and Louise engage in a thought-provoking discussion on how DSF enables consumers to adapt their energy usage in balance with supply availability. This adjustment not only maximizes the utilization of renewable energy sources but also significantly reduces costs for the consumer.

However, DSF doesn't come without challenges.

So far, its benefits hardly reach the most vulnerable. Addressing the technical and policy hurdles in the energy transition, Sophie and Louise highlight the critical role of interdisciplinary approaches in overcoming these barriers. They discuss the intricate balance of integrating energy justice into DSF, emphasizing the need for fair access to energy resources for all individuals, especially lower-income households that might lack the necessary infrastructure to participate fully in DSF programs.

The conversation also covers the risks associated with variable electricity pricing and how it might affect consumer participation in DSF. Our experts discuss various incentive schemes to encourage consumer engagement in DSF, such as offering reduced rates or financial incentives for energy usage during off-peak hours. Yet, they underscore the importance of careful regulation and clear communication to ensure these schemes build trust and achieve widespread adoption.

The episode wraps up with a focus on the importance of community engagement, effective storytelling in energy advocacy, and the potential of digital platforms to broaden the dialogue around energy and climate justice.

Join us as we explore the dynamic intersection of DSF and energy justice with two leading experts in the field, offering insights into how we can navigate towards a more inclusive and sustainable energy future.

Check their report, "Flex-ability for all: Pursuing socially inclusive demand-side flexibility in Europe", a great example of the necessity of cross-sector partnerships and collective efforts to accelerate the energy transition and promote DSF adoption.

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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44 - The European Elections and the Future of Energy Policy, with Camille Defard, Jacques Delors Energy Centre

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 07:56:00 +0000

In this insightful episode of Energ' Ethic, join Camille Defard, head of the Jacques Delors Energy Centre, as we explore the European Union's journey towards a sustainable and just energy future.

Amid the complexities of climate change and energy transition, we discuss how the EU has been aligning its energy policy with global efforts to create an energy landscape that balances ecological needs with social equity.

A critical aspect of this transformation is the increasing focus on citizen engagement, where the voices of the people play a pivotal role in shaping energy policies. This grassroots approach is essential in forging a path towards a sustainable and resilient society where governance and democratic mechanisms harmoniously integrate public perspectives into policy-making.

We also delve into the transformative legacy of Jacques Delors, whose vision for a unified European energy policy continues to inspire current strategies. Delors’ concept of the Energy Union, emphasizing the integration of social justice into energy considerations, has become more relevant than ever.

As we discuss the advancements and challenges of the European Green Deal, particularly in the context of the upcoming elections, we underscore the importance of aligning Europe-wide ambitions with local realities. This episode sheds light on the need for responsive and adaptive strategies that cater to evolving global crises while maintaining a citizen-centric approach, echoing the progressive standards set by visionary leaders like Jacques Delors.

Join us as we navigate these critical themes, unpacking the roadblocks and advancements in the EU's journey towards an energy policy that is sustainable, economically viable, socially just, and inclusive.

Camille report's on Energy Union 2.0. to deliver the European Green Deal, November 2023: https://institutdelors.eu/en/publications/energy-union-2-0-to-deliver-the-european-green-deal/

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

:-)

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43 - Building Energy-full Communities, with Antonia Proka, Rescoop.EU

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 10:12:30 +0000

Join us in this enlightening episode of Energ'Ethic as we welcome Antonia Proka from RESCoop.EU, a visionary in the realm of community-led energy initiatives. Today's conversation is centered on the critical need for inclusivity in energy communities, exploring how changes in culture, structure, and practices can lead to more equitable and effective energy transitions.

The Imperative of Inclusive Energy Communities:

Antonia underscores the significance of reflecting societal diversity within energy initiatives, emphasizing that inclusivity is key to harnessing collective strength for a sustainable energy future. She delves into REScoop.eu's strategic efforts to diversify memberships and leadership in energy cooperatives, ensuring that these entities truly represent the communities they serve.
Cultural Shifts for Inclusive Practices:

We discuss the need for a cultural shift in energy communities, moving beyond traditional norms to embrace diverse perspectives and needs. Antonia explains how this shift can lead to more innovative and responsive energy solutions that benefit all members of society.
Structural Changes in Energy Cooperatives:

She also sheds light on the structural changes necessary within energy cooperatives to foster inclusivity. This includes rethinking meeting times and providing childcare during general assemblies, enabling broader participation, especially from underrepresented groups.
The Gender Power Working Group's Role:

Antonia highlights the work of the Gender Power working group in promoting gender equity in the energy sector. She stresses the importance of female role models in energy leadership to inspire and empower more women to participate and lead in this field.
Practical Steps Towards Inclusivity:

Additionally, Antonia shares practical advice for energy communities looking to become more inclusive. She emphasizes the need for tailored solutions rather than one-size-fits-all approaches, citing examples of successful practices implemented by various energy communities across Europe.
Conclusion:
This episode is a deep dive into the transformative potential of inclusive energy communities. Antonia Proka's insights provide a roadmap for energy cooperatives and policymakers to foster environments where diversity is not just welcomed but is a driving force for innovation and sustainability. Listeners will come away with a renewed understanding of the importance of cultural, structural, and practical changes in making the energy transition truly inclusive.
Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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42 - Diversity, the Fourth D of Energy, with Joshua Atkins, Pride in Energy

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 20:37:00 +0000

In this episode, Marine delves into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of the energy sector: diversity. Our guest, Joshua Atkins, founder of Pride in Energy, shares his insights on the transformative power of diversity in the energy industry.

Key Points Discussed:

1. The 4Ds Transforming the Energy Sector: Joshua highlights the significant shifts in the energy sector, emphasizing the often-overlooked aspect of workforce diversification.

2. Bridging the Skills Gap: He discusses the looming skills gap in the energy industry, spanning from strategic roles to field staff, and the importance of aligning company values with the priorities of new generations entering the workforce.

3. Business Case for Diversity: Through practical examples, Joshua illustrates the tangible benefits of investing in diversity. He cites research showing significant returns for businesses that invest in women and other underrepresented groups.

4. Rising Discrimination and the Need for Allyship: The conversation touches on the increase in discrimination, particularly against gender-diverse individuals. Joshua stresses the importance of allyship at all levels, especially in senior positions.

5. Visibility and Representation: The lack of representation at senior levels is a concern, but there is a positive trend in vocal leadership and allyship. Joshua talks about the slow but steady progress in visibility for various groups.

6. Challenges of Pink Washing: Joshua brings attention to the issue of 'pinkwashing', akin to 'greenwashing', where companies superficially endorse LGBTQ+ rights without substantive action. He advocates for genuine commitment and change.

7. Practical Steps for Companies: Joshua advises companies to listen to their employees, especially those in diversity groups, to understand and address specific issues within their organization.

8. Future Initiatives: Teasing some upcoming initiatives for Pride month, Joshua hints at exciting plans to promote visible endorsement of LGBTQ+ individuals in businesses.

Conclusion:
Joshua Atkins' insights reveal the undeniable link between diversity and the future success of the energy sector. His call for genuine commitment to DEI, beyond mere tokenism, resonates as a powerful message for all industries.

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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41 - Who Do We Want to Listen to and Trust in the Energy and Climate Transitions? - Jad Mouawad

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 07:00:00 +0000

The IEA’s Transformation
Mainstreaming Information
Combatting Misinformation
Competing for Attention
Convincing the Audiences
Trust in Science and Accessibility
The Power of Positive News
The Power of Information:
With a powerful message on the transformative potential of information, Jad calls for a concerted effort to reshape perceptions through factual storytelling, highlighting the economic and societal shifts already underway.
Resources:
Ipsos Earth Day poll (2023)

https://www.ipsos.com/en/earth-day-2023-concern-and-focus-slipping-climate-change

Pew Trust in Scientists poll (2022)

https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2022/02/15/americans-trust-in-scientists-other-groups-declines/

Reuters Digital News Report 2023 (about Tik Tok and other social networks)

https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news-report/2023

Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean) editorial in the Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jun/03/electric-vehicles-early-adopter-petrol-car-ev-environment-rowan-atkinson

Rebuttal by Simon Evans

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jun/08/fact-check-why-rowan-atkinson-is-wrong-about-electric-vehicles

IEA’s World Energy Outlook 2023

https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2023

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38 - Special Episode: Unveiling the Social Potential of Energy Communities in Italy

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 13:39:53 +0000

This one is a very special episode of Energ'Ethic! While our podcast is usually conducted in English, today, we have something exceptional in store. We're diving into a thought-provoking discussion that stems from a recent webinar held entirely in Italian, shedding light on a crucial aspect of the energy landscape.

In this episode, we unravelled the layers of "Comunità Energetiche ed Energy Sharing: Svelare un Potenziale Sociale Inesplorato," a webinar that took place on 28 September 2023 under the auspices of Rete ASSIST, for the PEnTrEn project.

The conversation with first-class experts Dr Aurore Dudka (University of Trento) and Emmanuele Petruzziello (CEO of KOALA, a start-up dedicated to promoting energy sharing) explored the profound social implications of energy beyond its resource aspect. It's a journey into understanding how energy can be a catalyst for positive social change, with a special focus on Italy.

The webinar's core objective was to peer beyond the technical and theoretical ideals of energy communities within the Italian context. While the technical landscape holds promise, and the stakeholders are poised to leap into action upon the awaited ministerial decree, there's a facet that often remains in the shadows – the social and cultural dimensions of energy communities.

As revealed during the discussion, these communities frequently lack diversity, with a noticeable absence of women, youth, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds among their ranks. This diversity deficit poses a formidable challenge in addressing energy poverty comprehensively.

But what becomes abundantly clear from this engaging conversation is that energy, within the framework of an "energy community," is merely the tip of the iceberg. It serves as a pretext for forging social connections, providing training, fostering local initiatives, and creating value – especially for young people and women in underserved areas.

In an era when climate change is transitioning into a pressing social challenge, constructing new reference points that firmly place people at the centre is paramount. This, in essence, embodies the spirit of #energyjustice.

The video recording of this remarkable webinar is also available on the Rete ASSIST website, allowing you to delve even deeper into the insights shared and watch it with automated subtitles.

A heartfelt thanks to Marina Varvesi, Federica Petraroli, and Federica Ragazzo for their unwavering support. Let us know your thoughts on this special episode!

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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40 - Nurturing Wellness, Power & Wellbeing among change makers - Aryanisha Lawes

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 10:08:00 +0000

In this poignant episode of Energ'ethic, we delve deep into the journey of Aryanisha Lawes—a social justice advocate who transitioned from frontline work addressing energy poverty in marginalized communities to becoming a spiritual wellness coach. She believes in "helping the helpers" and equipping them with tools in leadership, power, and wellbeing to instigate more effective social and environmental reforms.

Highlights

- Aryanisha unpacks the spiritual underpinnings of her work, recounting her ordination as a Buddhist and how it informed her mission.

- The episode uncovers Aryanisha's motivation for launching her own business after years of frontline work, pinpointing the systemic issues and personal stressors that frontline workers face.

- Aryanisha shares a range of approaches in coaching and training, including character personification techniques that allow individuals to confront their challenges effectively.

- The importance of community and human connection to combat feelings of isolation and loneliness in this work is underscored.

Key Takeaways

1. The Dialogue between Vision and Reality: Aryanisha discusses how spirituality and practical action feed into each other, especially when you hold the potential for liberation, compassion, and courage for others.

2. The Physical Toll of Social Justice Work: She speaks candidly about the bodily impact of being a 'changemaker', from stress to burnout, emphasizing the need for well-being to accompany power and leadership.

3. Tools for Transformation: Aryanisha shares her unique coaching techniques like personification to help address behavioral patterns, lending valuable insights into the mechanics of the mind.

4. The Power of Community: Aryanisha reveals the transformative impact of realizing that "you are not alone" and how community-building can infuse social work with new energy and power.

5. Simple Yet Transformative Solutions: The episode highlights the importance of basic practices like proper breathing to manage stress.

6. Beyond Self-care: Aryanisha argues that while self-care is critical, social justice work also requires agency and influencing change, which involves difficult conversations and courageous stances.

7. Importance of Honest Communication: Aryanisha concludes by emphasizing the need for honesty and ongoing communication among changemakers, especially about the emotional and physical states they find themselves in while navigating their work.

Whether you’re a frontline worker or a policy-maker, tune in for a transformative conversation that addresses not just the how, but the why of making the world a better place.

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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39 - Eating the Energy Elephant: Tackling the Infrastructure Challenge One Bite at a Time, with Chantel Scheepers, OakTree Power

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 08:23:00 +0000

Today, we're thrilled to introduce Chantel Scheepers, CEO of OakTree Power. With a career spanning over 15 years in clean technology, Chantel is a visionary leader who has been at the forefront of the energy sector's paradigm shift. In this episode, we delve into the concept of energy flexibility, the challenges of modernizing energy infrastructure, and how to "eat the elephant" of energy transition one bite at a time.

Over the last 15 years, Chantel has been a tireless advocate for clean technology and has successfully deployed smart grids and Virtual Power Plants across 17 countries. Her mission is to catalyze a sustainable world for us all, and she does so with a unique blend of passion, intelligence, and a deep sense of duty to future generations.

Key Takeaways

- What is Energy Flexibility?

Chantel explains that energy flexibility is akin to an overbooked flight where passengers are paid to take a later flight. In the energy world, grid operators pay clients to use less electricity during times of network congestion. This approach not only alleviates stress on ageing infrastructure but also offers a more sustainable solution.

- The Elephant in the Room: Infrastructure Challenges

Chantel discusses the enormous investment needed to upgrade existing energy infrastructure, estimated at up to 21 trillion dollars by 2050. She emphasizes that smart, distributed grids are the future, as upgrading existing networks is neither sustainable nor cost-effective.

- Sustainability and Social Impact

Chantel shares her personal passion for energy sustainability, particularly in Africa, where nearly 700 million people still lack access to electricity. She believes in building a system that benefits not just today's consumers but future generations as well.

- Collaborative Approach

OakTree Power works closely with clients and governing bodies to make knowledge available and find internal champions within organizations. Their solutions promise to offer up to 30% reduction in baseline energy costs, making them both cost-effective and sustainable.

- The Big Picture

Chantel's mission is to take energy flexibility into as many markets as possible. She cites impressive statistics, such as a potential annual saving of 24 million kilowatt-hours if more buildings adopted OakTree Power's program, equivalent to nearly 9,000 tonnes of CO2 saved every year.

The Metaphor: Eating an Elephant

Chantel uses the metaphor of "eating an elephant a bite at a time" to describe the energy transition. While significant strides have been made, there's still a long way to go. The key is to tackle the challenge systematically, making incremental but impactful changes.

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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37 - Inclusive Cities, Empowered Communities: Embracing Intersectionality in Urban Environments - Safaa Charafi

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 07:30:00 +0000

Join us for an enlightening episode of Energ'ethic as we dive into inclusive urban development with the incredible Safaa Charafi from Urban Inclusion. Safaa, an architect and urbanist, shares her journey of realizing the unintended consequences of her work and her determination to create cities that cater to everyone, regardless of gender, race, or social status.

In our conversation, Safaa highlights the challenges of achieving inclusivity in urban contexts. We explore deeply ingrained social norms and gender stereotypes that shape urban planning and design worldwide. Safaa emphasizes the importance of representation and participation of marginalized groups in decision-making processes to ensure that cities are designed with diverse needs in mind.

Discover inspiring examples of inclusive urban solutions as Safaa showcases the power of stakeholder collaboration and participatory design. From snow ploughing prioritization in Stockholm to address gender disparities to the comprehensive strategies needed to tackle social class and gentrification, Safaa advocates for a people-centric approach to urban development.

Join us as Safaa calls for meaningful community engagement and the amplification of diverse voices to shape urban policies and processes. Her message goes beyond gender inclusivity, encompassing mental health, children's well-being, and the needs of lower-income communities.

Be inspired by Safaa's vision of creating cities that prioritize equity, inclusivity, and the well-being of all residents.

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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36 - Powering Change from Within: How Municipalities Lead the Energy Community Transformation - Sara Giovannini, Energy Cities

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 07:26:00 +0000

In this captivating episode of Energ'ethic, we delve into the world of community energy alongside the remarkable Sara Giovannini from Energy Cities. With an unwavering passion for sustainability, Sara is committed to driving the energy transition forward. As a prominent member of Energy Cities, a vibrant network of local authorities, she actively works towards creating livable and thriving cities for their citizens. Through capacity building and impactful advocacy, Energy Cities empowers local leaders and technicians, ensuring their voices resonate at the European level.

During our engaging conversation, Sara sheds light on the distinctive challenges encountered when establishing community energy projects at the municipal level across Europe. We delve into the scarcity of resources, both financial and human, which hinder the support that local authorities can offer. Additionally, we explore the critical need for clearer legal frameworks, particularly in procurement rules, to enable communities to actively participate in the energy transition. Sara emphasizes municipalities' pivotal role in climate action, drawing from their firsthand experiences and navigating unique challenges. We delve into the fear of exposure that often inhibits municipalities from taking bold action, emphasizing the significance of fostering a supportive environment for innovation.

Discover the transformative power of energy communities as Sara reveals their extraordinary social benefits, transcending environmental sustainability. From combating energy poverty to nurturing energy literacy, these vibrant communities offer holistic solutions beyond green energy. Our discussion also delves into the underrepresentation of women in community energy and the imperative of inclusivity in project planning and execution, fostering equal opportunities for all.

Don't miss out as Sara unveils strategies for engaging a wider range of stakeholders in the energy transition, breaking free from the cycle of the "usual suspects." We delve into the pivotal role of citizen engagement, the importance of mapping local actors, and implementing inclusive practices to ensure the diverse needs of communities are adequately considered.

Join us for this brilliant new episode of Energ'ethic, a must-listen for those passionate about community energy and its profound potential to revolutionize our cities. Sara's expertise and unwavering dedication to empowering local authorities will inspire you, urging you to actively support and champion community-led sustainable initiatives.

Find more about Energy Cities:

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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35 - From Darkness to Empowerment: Building Resilient Energy Systems for Sustainable Communities in Colombia (and South Africa) - Juan P...

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 07:00:37 +0000

In this episode of Energ'ethic, Juan Pablo Cárdenas, an environmental engineer turned humanities advocate, guides us through the energy transition in Colombia and South Africa. Juan Pablo shares his journey from technical engineering to a multidisciplinary approach, highlighting the importance of building lasting, sustainable solutions. Drawing from his personal experiences with blackouts in Colombia and South Africa, he sheds light on how such events can transform energy systems.

Juan Pablo emphasises the unequal distribution of electricity access in both countries, with South Africa ranking as the most unequal country globally. He discusses the policy responses to address energy poverty, including the free basic electricity allowance in South Africa and Colombia's cross-subsidy mechanism. These initiatives aim to make electricity more affordable and accessible for marginalised communities.

A key focus of the conversation is energy communities and their potential to reshape the energy landscape. Juan Pablo shares insights from a pilot project in Medellin, Colombia, where a middle-income neighbourhood became an energy community. He highlights the importance of community leadership figures in driving such initiatives and building a sense of ownership and participation among residents.

Collaborating with the vertically-integrated utility, EPM, Juan Pablo and his colleagues navigate the regulatory landscape to enable the energy community to thrive. They also engage with policymakers, regulators, and local governments to raise awareness about the transformative potential of energy communities. Juan Pablo discusses how energy communities are gaining prominence in Colombian politics, particularly for remote areas where energy poverty is a pressing concern.

By diversifying the energy mix and promoting local sustainability, energy communities offer a pathway to a more cohesive and resilient energy system. Juan Pablo believes that energy communities represent a unique opportunity to foster community and social cohesion while promoting conscious resource use, which are essential for resilience towards climate change, addressing both mitigation and adaptation challenges.

Tune in to this inspiring conversation with Juan Pablo Cárdenas to learn how energy communities can empower individuals, create a more equitable energy landscape, and drive the transition towards a sustainable future in Colombia and beyond.

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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34 - Equity, Innovation, and Carbon Neutrality: Unlocking the Potential of Sustainable Cities - Simone Mangili, CNCA

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 06:00:00 +0000

In this new episode of Energ'ethic, we sit down with Simone Mangili, the passionate advocate driving the energy transition and sustainability efforts, as the Executive Director of the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance (CNCA). Simone's journey has been fueled by his unique ability to bridge diverse perspectives and create collaborations across sustainability disciplines and geographies.

Simone's deep connection with the natural world has shaped his dedication to environmental sustainability and urban development. He firmly believes that our cities should be seen as integral parts of the natural ecosystem, fostering the growth of natural systems within urban environments. By incorporating nature-based solutions and green infrastructure, cities can simultaneously mitigate climate change and enhance the quality of life for their residents.

As part of the CNCA, a close-knit alliance of leading cities, Simone and his team empower member cities to set ambitious targets for carbon neutrality and pioneer groundbreaking initiatives. Their approach focuses on building capacity within city administrations, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and developing innovative policy solutions. With a keen emphasis on equity and justice, CNCA supports cities in centring the needs of their communities throughout the transition to a climate-neutral future.

Simone shares inspiring examples, such as Sydney's collaboration with indigenous Aboriginal community organizations, highlighting the importance of valuing indigenous knowledge and creating sustainable livelihoods while maintaining and enhancing the carbon potential of landscapes.

Tune in to this episode as Simone Mangili takes us on a captivating journey through the world of sustainable urban development, climate equity, and the limitless opportunities for positive change in our cities. Get ready to be inspired and gain valuable insights from the pioneering work of CNCA and its member cities.

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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33 - Energy Transition in India: Empowering Communities with Rachita Misra, SELCO Foundation

Wed, 24 May 2023 08:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Energ'Ethic, we are delighted to have Rachita Misra, the dynamic Associate Director (Knowledge and Advocacy) at SELCO Foundation, as our guest. Rachita's remarkable journey spans from being a trained architect to becoming a passionate advocate for local ownership and improving energy access for underserved communities.

Rachita's mission goes beyond quick fixes, focusing on creating a more equitable system that provides equal opportunities for all. By harnessing the power of sustainable energy, she addresses not only energy access but also its broader impact on livelihoods, health, and well-being.

Navigating India's diverse landscape, Rachita and her team strategically choose geographies to develop scalable models for transforming the energy access system. Their approach involves understanding the unique applications of energy and adapting to local needs, considering the aspirations and diverse lifestyles of different regions.

Democratizing energy systems is at the core of Rachita's vision. She envisions a future where individuals can take ownership of their energy generation, paying for what they need and embracing decentralization. To achieve this, she emphasizes the importance of designing technologies that meet communities' specific requirements while ensuring affordability remains accessible for high-quality solutions.

Rachita's impactful work extends beyond energy access. Collaborating with various departments, from health to agriculture, she advocates for a decentralized narrative. By upgrading health facilities and integrating energy considerations into planning, she envisions a future where transitioning off the grid is celebrated as a positive step.

During the conversation, we also explore the challenges posed by the rising demand for air conditioning, especially in India's rapidly growing market. Rachita advocates for energy-efficient building designs as a means to alleviate the burden on energy affordability and poverty.

Furthermore, Rachita sheds light on the heat stress experienced by impoverished communities living in corrugated metal houses. Often doubling as workplaces, these spaces struggle with heat capture and inadequate ventilation. Understanding and addressing the unique circumstances of these communities are essential for developing sustainable solutions.

Rachita's passion shines through as she emphasizes the need for more human resources in the development sector. Collaborative efforts and dedicated individuals committed to creating sustainable concepts will be the driving force behind meaningful change.

Join us for this enlightening conversation as Rachita Misra shares her expertise, experiences, and vision for a more inclusive and sustainable energy transition in India and beyond.

Find here Rachita's intervention during the 2023 International Energy Poverty Action Week.

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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32 - Decarbonisation and Solidarity: the Future of Energy Governance - Jean-Michel Glachant, FSR

Wed, 10 May 2023 07:58:52 +0000

Today, we are delighted to have the esteemed Dr. Jean-Michel Glachant join us, as he expounds on the pivotal role that digitalisation plays in enabling energy markets to deliver, as well as the significance of placing humans at the heart of energy systems, with all individuals being equal.

Jean-Michel stresses the importance of energy cooperatives, professional aggregators, and the need for consumer involvement, as the era of big players in the energy market draws to a close. He highlights that the recent energy price crisis has demonstrated that our decarbonisation strategies and energy market system work, and we can establish combined responses that place solidarity at the forefront, despite differences in perspectives and policy choices.

Jean-Michel also discusses the fragmented “social media democracies” and the need for change, citing waste management as an example. He notes that it took time for people to start segregating their waste, but it is now deemed normal and a symbol of good citizenship.

Dr. Glachant further acknowledges the enthralling policy and regulation development in India but recognises that too many Indians are too destitute to alter anything. He yearns for India to invent its version of the energy transition and aspires to a world where no one is left behind.

Jean-Michel shares how he draws inspiration from the people he works with, "they are exceptional humans". He dreams of a world where poverty vanishes, and no one recalls him because everything he thinks becomes common knowledge. He emphasises the importance of co-creating knowledge, which involves interacting with lawyers, engineers, civil servants, and practitioners to codify knowledge in "institutional economics".

Tune in to this new episode of Energ'Ethic to gain insights into the cutting-edge developments in energy economics and governance, and be inspired by Dr. Glachant's vast knowledge and experience.

Dr. Jean-Michel Glachant is a renowned energy economist who has been transforming the regulations governing the energy industry. As a Professor at the Florence School of Regulation, Dr. Glachant has been leading the charge in research, training courses, and policy dialogues for over a decade. But that's not all – he's also the President of the International Association for Energy Economics and the Vice-President of the French Association for Energy Economics.

Dr. Glachant's influence extends beyond academia. As an advisor at the European Commission and the French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE), he has had a significant impact on the profession of Energy Economics. In fact, his contributions were recognized with the IAEE Career Award in 2018.

With over 170 articles, working papers, books, and reports under his belt, Jean-Michel is a prolific author and a Twitter star. Follow his profile to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in energy policies and regulation.

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
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31 - Breaking the Fast Lane - Giulio Mattioli, TU Dortmund University & University of Leeds

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 09:44:01 +0000

Giulio Mattioli is an expert in sustainable transport who is making huge strides towards a greener future at TU Dortmund University in Germany and as a visiting research fellow at the University of Leeds in the UK.
In this conversation, we explore the idea of questioning common sense and the role of cars and cheap planes in today's society. Despite declining greenhouse gas emissions in other sectors, mobility remains a challenge. We delve into the safety hazards SUVs pose in urban environments and the impact of air travel on sustainability. We discuss the fact that frequent flyers happen to be opinion-makers and their responsibility in promoting (un)sustainable practices.

One critical point that Giulio makes is that we've built our society around fast modes of transportation like cars and planes. Changing this reliance on personal transport isn't just an individual's responsibility - it requires a collective effort. We also explore the concept of transport poverty and how car dependency can disproportionately affect low-income communities.

Giulio Mattioli is a pioneer in sustainable transport, and I’m thrilled to have him on this episode of Energ'ethic. Be sure to tune in and learn how his research can inspire you to work towards a greener future!

Reach out to Giulio via Twitter @Giulio_Mattioli or ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Recent article Who flies but never drives? Highlighting diversity among high emitters for passenger transport in England, Mattioli, G., Büchs, M., & Scheiner, J. (2023). ⁠Energy Research & Social Science, 99, 103057.

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30 - Sharing (mobility) is caring - Angelo Meuleman, MPact

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 08:41:52 +0000

Sharing cars, reinventing mobility for the benefit of society? This is the challenge that Angelo Meuleman has taken on since 2007 when he joined ⁠mpact⁠, a mobility not-for-profit organisation based in Ghent, Belgium. At the time, no one thought that one day people would want to make their cars available to other people or lend their vehicles to neighbours. If the rise of the shared mobility giants has helped change the game, whether from a perspective of mainstreaming, business models or technological tools, the social issues are still crucial. This is where the DNA of an NGOs project like mpact comes in.

In this fascinating conversation, Angelo reminds us that sustainable mobility is more than a question of infrastructures or electric vehicles. It's about quality of life and the ability to socialise, especially for marginalised groups. Angelo explains how his work reconciles "yellow and green vests", and how he seeks to bring together concrete solutions that can be easily replicated at the local level, involving the public and private sectors, with large-scale, long-term political projects.

To him, the key question local policymakers must ask is, "How can we reduce the number of cars on our streets?" and make our cities more welcoming for everyone? - as the number will not reduce because of electric cars. "It will because of shared cars and cycling" and better mobility (and parking) regulations.

Tune in now to listen to this episode to discover how shared mobility rocks around the globe.

Angelo Meuleman is the director of the Belgian mobility non-profit organisation mpact. Since its inception in 1975, mpact has been revolutionizing shared mobility solutions through carpooling, car- and cargo bike sharing, on-demand transport services for the elderly, a children's bike library, and more. Angelo's journey with Mpact began in 2007, and since then, he has been leading the charge in EU programs for shared transport and accessibility. With a keen focus on inclusive mobility, with projects such as Inclusion, G-Patra, SocialCar, SHARE-North, SMALL, and more, Angelo has been instrumental in promoting sustainable and accessible transportation solutions for all. As a Flemish Sustainable Transport Network board member, Angelo has been pushing for innovative solutions to create a more sustainable and accessible future. He's also a co-founder of the Flemish Mobihub Association and the unconventional symposium Shared Mobility Rocks.

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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29 - Shaking Up Energy Efficiency - Julie Kjestrup, Velux, EuroACE, Renovate Europe

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 13:09:20 +0000

Join us for an inspiring episode with Julie Kjestrup, the powerhouse President of EuroACE and Vice-Chair of the Renovate Europe Campaign, who is shaking up the world of policy and thought leadership for VELUX. With an impressive track record in advocacy and stakeholder engagement, Julie has been at the forefront of the energy efficiency movement in Europe.

In this episode, Julie shares her fascinating journey, from working in the pharmaceutical industry to becoming a leading voice in the energy efficiency sector. She explains how she became involved in lobbying and advocacy for energy efficiency, and the challenges she faced in getting policymakers to focus on the existing building stock.

Julie also discusses the challenges and opportunities presented by the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the EU industrial strategy (the Green Deal Industrial Plan). She highlights the need for training and recognition of workers’ qualifications, and the importance of communication and adapting messages to different audiences.

“Whatever we do to our housing or building stocks, it has a huge impact on how we feel and how we perform as humans,” Julie says. Energy efficiency in buildings is a proven solution, good for the planet, people’s well-being and quality of life, the economy, finance, and industry. However, it still suffers from a somewhat austere image, in contrast to the ostentation sought by some policy makers. “Boring should be the new sexy”, she says, arguing for more efforts to raise energy efficiency standards and broader societal acceptance.

Join us as we explore Julie’s impressive career and gain insights into the world of energy efficiency in the construction sector and policymaking. Don’t miss this timely and important conversation!

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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28 - Businesses' Duty in Ramping Up Energy Literacy - Michael Pinto, Cleanwatts

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 09:24:16 +0000

In this episode of Energ'Ethic, we talk to Michael Pinto, CEO and co-founder of Cleanwatts, a cleantech company that provides intelligent digital tools to monitor, manage, and optimize energy generation, storage, trading, and consumption.

Michael shares his journey from the corporate world to launching Cleanwatts with a deep commitment to sustainability. Cleanwatts has pioneered many energy communities in Portugal and beyond, with a unique model that involves installing solar panels on commercial and office buildings and inviting local stakeholders to join. Through its platform, Cleanwatts can connect virtually all the smart meters of community members and provide access to excess capacity, resulting in a backlog of approximately 40 megawatts of aggregated capacity at the end of 2022. By consuming locally produced electricity in real time, transport and transmission costs are reduced, resulting in lower energy bills.

Michael clarifies that building energy communities is a complex landscape that involves aggregating loads, flexibility services, and the allocation of funds. Cleanwatts works with reputable local companies that already have knowledge of the landscape. Cleanwatts is addressing the urgent trilemma of decarbonizing the grid, bolstering energy security, and reducing the high cost of energy.

By making it easier for local communities to transition to renewable energy, Cleanwatts is contributing to a sustainable future. Michael discusses Cleanwatts' innovative business model, his engagement with local realities and entrepreneurs, and the importance of technical and social innovation in the energy transition. He highlights the role businesses play in increasing energy literacy among citizens.

Join us in this conversation as we explore the crucial role of businesses in ramping up energy literacy and accelerating the energy transition towards a sustainable future. Don't miss this inspiring episode of Energ'Ethic!

Michael Pinto is the co-founder of Cleanwatts, a company that aims to reframe society's relationship with energy by unlocking the benefits of the global transition where it matters most: locally. With over two decades of international experience in industrial settings and financial services, Michael remains driven by curiosity and values of inclusion, integrity, and resilience. He is committed to building a world in which access to affordable clean energy is decentralized, digitalized, and democratized.

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn

Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius

Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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27 - "There's no shortage of people passionate about improving other people's lives" - Rose Chard, Energy Systems Catapult

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 11:07:01 +0000

"If we design for low-income vulnerable energy consumers, there can be benefits to a whole range of consumers"

Rose also shares her views on the changing smart and flexible energy system and how it can be translated into consumers' homes.

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
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26 - Nobody should have to choose between eating or heating or cooling their homes - Theresa Griffin

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 10:35:25 +0000

Theresa Griffin is probably the European politician who has had the greatest impact on getting policymakers to understand, acknowledge, and act on energy poverty.

From the moment she first met a single mother in Liverpool who had been left without electricity to the point where she managed to bring forward energy efficiency requirements for vulnerable families at the European Parliament, Theresa tells us about her journey to promote energy justice. Although she had to leave her seat at the European Parliament because of Brexit, she is still working to ensure that the social and human dimensions are present in European climate and industrial policies. Theresa is now advocating for fire safety to be included in European legislation and for more girls and young women to be trained in scientific professions.

Theresa will, therefore, naturally open the second edition of the International Energy Poverty Week (20-24 February 2023). We couldn’t dream of a better ambassador.

“I hope that if you and I have this conversation again in five years, we can actually say that energy poverty is being eradicated not just across Europe but across the globe”

Theresa Griffin was a member of the European Parliament from 2014 to 2020. She was the 2017 Energy MEP of the Year for her work addressing energy poverty. She has consistently called for greater ambition in European policies for a ‘just transition’ that leaves no worker, community or young person behind.

She worked as a legislator on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and ensured fire safety was included in her remit after the Grenfell disaster in the UK in 2017. Today, Theresa works with many organisations, including FEEDS, the Forum for European Electrical Domestic Safety, of which she is President.

Reach out to Theresa on LinkedIn and Twitter @TheresaEurope .

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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25 - Driving the transition with EV charging stations - Luka De Bruyckere and Jaap Burger

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 13:29:47 +0000

The future of mobility is electric. But for the technology to really take root in our daily lives, norms and standards must be created. This is exactly what Jaap Burger of the Regulatory Assistance Project and Luka De Bruyckere of ECOS, an international NGO with a network of members and experts advocating for environmentally friendly technical standards, are doing. Together they have published a very informative report for municipalities (Standards for EV smart charging: A guide for local authorities), as it is mainly up to them to develop the infrastructure for people to charge their vehicles.

How can all policies, regulations and EV standards work together for the same social and environmental goals?

In this new episode, Jaap and Luka shed light on the future of mobility, standards, the importance of smart charging, and electric vehicles that could quickly become essential elements to ensure the electrical continuity of supply and well-functioning networks.

Jaap Burger is a senior adviser to RAP's European team, works on intelligent charging of electric cars and regulations that maximise the possibilities for a decarbonized power market and infrastructure. He focuses on EV smart charging and charging infrastructure implementation with grid operators, e-mobility players, and governmental bodies.

Luka De Bruyckere has worked on climate and energy policy for the European Commission, non-governmental organisations, consulting firms, and universities. She serves as the Program Manager for ECOS, an international environmental NGO with a network of members and specialists that advocate for ecologically friendly technical standards and legislation. Luka is now working on the electrical grid and overseeing Ecodesign & Energy Labeling files, which include photovoltaics.

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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24 - Getting past judgment to build sustainable and impactful businesses - Farid Baddache, Ksapa

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 12:42:40 +0000

Farid Baddache is CEO and co-founder of Ksapa.org, a social purpose organisation developing open-source solutions accelerating climate transition in more inclusive societies. He works with a global network of experts to combine expertise and broaden their impact. For him, satisfying a much broader ecosystem of stakeholders, including the butterflies on the other part of the planet, is necessary for business success - and much more important than simply "serving shareholders". For him, this is where corporate, environmental and social sustainability opportunities intertwin.

In this fascinating conversation with this veteran of corporate sustainability, Farid explains how the duty to act has grown from the commitment of a handful of enthusiasts like himself to regulatory obligations and societal priorities.

He recommends keeping an open and positive attitude on the actions of some and past mistakes, away from judgements and the search for absolute perfection. This is how to involve as many parties as possible, including the companies of the most polluting or controversial sectors. For him, it is mainly through the education of political and economic leaders that genuinely sustainable and fair dynamics for humans and the planet can thrive. The key question is, "Do you want to be part of the solution or be part of the problem?"

Farid has worked with major corporations, charities, universities and consultancies in multiple locations across the world. He has been instrumental in shaping several critical developments to strengthen coordination between public and private actors around environmental and social issues. For example, Farid helped align the business at COP21 around climate positions. He has also launched leading global initiatives, such as B4IG, which enables OECD governments and multinational companies to join forces for more inclusive growth.

Farid speaks French, English, Spanish, German and Portuguese. He holds an M.B.A. from ESSEC, an M.B.A. from the National University of Singapore in Clean Technology, and a PhD in Organizational Sociology from EHESS, the École des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales in Paris. Twitter: @Fbaddache

Find Farid on Twitter: @Fbaddache and LinkedIn.

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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23 - Creating positive impacts on the people and the planet, with Simon Schillebeeckx, Handprint

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 11:17:41 +0000

"When you think about regeneration, you have to think about think global, and act global."

Simon Schillebeeckx, Professor Planet to some, is an entrepreneur and academic, constantly looking for the best ways to match sustainability theory with practice - in this case, the impact that business can have on the environment and the means to restore it. His initial work with the Global Mangrove Trust aimed to improve the transparency of climate financing and to develop tools to monitor reforestation projects. Now, Handprint, a Singapore-Bangkok-based company, aims to facilitate corporate projects to protect and restore nature and support people across the Sustainable Development Goals.

In this inspiring conversation, Simon shares his experiences of how sustainability and climate change mitigation are perceived in other cultural contexts and how to stimulate commitment and positive action. He also talks about the necessity to engage at the local level while thinking globally and the dangers of adopting a tunnel vision, which would only look at one parameter (e.g. CO2 emissions).

Dr. Simon J.D. Schillebeeckx is the co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Handprint, a Regeneration-as-a-Service platform that helps companies grow with the planet by integrating and automating regeneration into their daily business processes. Simon also co-founded the Global Mangrove Trust, a non-profit working on large-scale mangrove restoration and conservation. Simon is also Assistant Professor of Strategic Management at the Lee Kong Chian School of Business of the Singapore Management University. Before his move to Singapore in 2015, Simon obtained a PhD in Management from Imperial College London, he worked in sustainable innovation consulting and read Corporate Social Responsibility at Nottingham University and Commercial Engineering at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium.

William McDonough: Cradle to Cradle book (2003) and Ted Talk
Find Simon Schillebeeckx on LinkedIn
Handprint on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HandprintTech

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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22 - Why you should use electricity at the right time, with Adrien de Vriendt, Adapt.sh

Thu, 24 Nov 2022 15:17:44 +0000

Adrien de Vriendt launched Adapt when he realised that people around him were unaware that electricity could not be green all day and that the use time was as important as other eco-friendly habits.

Adapt is now a mainstream website and App designed to identify when the electricity comes from renewable sources. It, therefore, allows everyday people and those who are usually not interested in energy to plan their energy consumption. It helps them decarbonise their daily lives and respond to the current energy crisis and climate emergency. Before founding Adapt, Adrien had spent ten years working with large companies to help them reduce their energy consumption and CO2 emissions - but as he noticed, much more had to be done for small consumers, such as households.

In this insightful conversation, Adrien offers many energy-saving tips to apply urgently. He also explains why the peak/off-peak (or day/night) tariff, promoted by energy suppliers since the 1960s, has now become economic and ecological nonsense.

Adrien hopes that this user-friendly, free, and open platform will trigger the awareness of millions of Europeans and successfully aggregate enough actions to "accelerate the shutdown of the most polluting fossil fuel power plants" and make the energy sector genuinely green.

Please also take the time to watch Adapt's "Winter is Coming" competition on their social media!

Further resources:

The Grid, The Fraying Wires Between Americans and Our Energy Future, by Gretchen Bakke, a must-read for everyone willing to understand our relationship with "the (invisible) grid" and its implication for the energy transition
To download ADAPT on your smartphone: www.adapt.sh/download
ADAPT web app: www.adapt.sh
You can follow Adrien on LinkedIn or Twitter

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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21 - The rule of law, right development and climate change are the same fight, Monica Frassoni - EU Alliance for energy savings

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 17:16:26 +0000

Democratic tools are essential for the implementation of better energy systems and the respect of people and the planet, says Monica Frassoni, president of the European Alliance to Save Energy. In this riveting interview, she talks about her doubts and fears for the future of European energy and environmental policies and the Italian context. She also explains her battles and hopes, and talks about the importance of cooperation between interests that might appear divergent at first glance. She explains how citizens need to take ownership of the global climate challenges and ask European and national politicians for greater ambitions for climate justice.

Monica Frassoni is an Italian politician, and an environmental and democracy activist. She is a former Member and Co-President of the Green Group in the European Parliament, where she sat from 1999 to 2009. Until November 2019 was also the Co-Chair of the European Green Party. Ms Frassoni has been the President of the European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE), an organisation dedicated to promoting energy efficiency across Europe, for the past decade.

Reach out to Monica on LinkedIn and Twitter @monicafrassoni

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Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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20 - From Coal Hub to Carbon Neutral: Nottingham - with Wayne Bexton

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 15:21:24 +0000

How will the city of Nottingham, a former industrial and major coal hub, be climate neutral by 2028?

In practice, this means cutting emissions by 20% a year between now and then!

Wayne Bexton, the Director of Carbon Reduction, Energy and Sustainability of the Nottingham City Council, explains how the city reconciles environmental sustainability objectives with social and economic ones through integrated work programmes involving all local stakeholders. Wayne explains how Nottingham has succeeded in creating a new 'industrial revolution' that is transforming the perception of residents, including former miners, of their city and accompanying the net-zero transition. The city is carrying out ambitious regeneration programmes to actively address energy poverty, which include crucial public health aspects - reinforced by the improvement of air quality at the regional level.

Wayne also talks about the regulatory challenges that the city faces. He outlines his hopes for decentralised technologies and energy communities "to produce locally, use locally and then that should better reduce rates, reduce tariffs" to increase the uptake of renewable energy and further reduce emissions.

Find here Nottingham's Carbon Neutral Action Plan.

Wayne Bexton is the Director of Carbon Reduction, Energy and Sustainability at Nottingham City Council. He has worked in public sector energy and sustainability for over 15 years. Find Wayne on Twitter @ClimateBex

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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19 - The Hottest Way to Warm Up - Mike Fell, UCL

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 08:57:24 +0000

Are heat pumps the George Clooney of the energy sector?

By confronting his research interest in people's electricity usage patterns with his personal experience, Mike Fell realised that heat pumps suffered from an image deficit leading to slow adoption. A few sexy makeovers and an augmented reality app later, Heat Pump Chic was born. This app gives a better idea of what a heat pump is like in the home environment (including noise) and is intended to familiarise future users with this technology. And perhaps make heat pumps desirable!

Mike uses humour and everyday habits to raise awareness of wider energy and climate issues, such as the need for household flexibility and demand-side response to boost sustainability in the sector. For example, he developed the Should I Bake? website to nudge foodies into using their appliances when most of the UK's grid electricity comes from renewable sources.

Humour, glamour, advertising and nudging, and adapting habits such as baking bread at the best times of the day... listen to this new episode.

By the way, if anybody has George Clooney's contact, please get in touch with Mike, because that could make a difference :-)

Dr Michael Fell is a research associate at UCL Energy Institute. Mike focuses on the social aspects of energy demand flexibility and systematic review methods in energy demand research. Also, check heat pump chic on social media for your daily dose of British humour.

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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18 - Heating oil in the USA - Thomas Butcher, NORA

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 10:11:17 +0000

The US and EU energy landscapes still look very different. The US grid remains highly dependent on fossil fuels, with more than 60% of electricity generation coming from coal, gas or petroleum products. Besides, 5 million people still use liquid fuels for heating, mostly low-income people residing in mountainous or rural areas where no alternatives are possible. The housing stock and energy efficiency requirements are also very different from the ones in Europe - leading to a whole different dataset.

How do we reconcile social, economic and environmental issues in the context of the US heating oil industry?

In this episode, Dr Thomas Butcher (NORA) explains how the US heating oil industry has come to acknowledge that it needs to move towards decarbonisation while promoting energy efficiency and broader savings. Tom details how the liquid fuel industry is moving to biofuels, coming from crop residues and even yoghurt processing, while investing in continued affordability and environmental sustainability.

Tom is the Technical Director of the United States National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA). Tom leads a group providing research on liquid fuels and the technical support needed to develop a more efficient future for his industry. Tom has been investigating energy systems, air pollutant emissions, and the use of biofuels in boilers and furnaces for decades.

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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17 - We need lawyers in the room - Tedd Moya Mose, University of Oxford

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 10:08:43 +0000

"We all live under the same sun"

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedInMusic: I Need You Here - Kamarius Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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16 - Mainstreaming Solar Power with Andrea Scognamiglio, ENEL X

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 13:37:07 +0000

How can solar electricity be made more attractive and affordable to households? What role can an energy giant play for the most vulnerable households?

Increasing the amount of renewable energy, especially solar, in the energy mix has become a priority to create a just transition and make our societies more sustainable. ENEL X, the Enel Company for new and innovative businesses, has been developing solutions for households for several years. Andrea Scognamiglio, the head of Global e-home at Enel X since the end of 2017, is working to make these solutions known and accessible to as many people as possible because people "need to find convenient to move towards sustainability". Between the increase in energy prices in recent months, the COVID-19 pandemic and the generalisation of teleworking, which has increased the time spent at home (and therefore the domestic energy consumption), these solutions respond to concrete needs.

However, the proposed solutions often do not respond to real situations. Therefore, many people live in flats and are excluded from rooftop solar projects. ENEL X is offering in Italy (and soon in Spain and Romania) solar panels for apartments (“Solare da Appartamento”) to hang on window or balcony railings and plug directly into the domestic grid. Andrea calculated that this "very easy solution can help you save twenty-five per cent of the electricity, which at this point in time, it's quite big". Therefore, "these panels can make a big difference saving money, saving the environment and reducing the import of gas."

Andrea points out that even though many instruments make these tools affordable from a financial point of view, many people still risk being left out. Therefore, ENEL X is launching with Legambiente, the main Italian environmental association, the crowdfunding campaign #UnPanelloInPiù, which will allow households in energy poverty to receive one of these panels for free.

Andrea would like everyone to become aware of their potential to generate their own energy because, in the end, "people make the difference".

Find here the crowdfunding platform for the initiative #UnPanelloInPiù with Legambiente: http://sostieni.legambiente.it/unpannelloinpiu

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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15 - Make sustainability sexy for consumers, with Monique Goyens BEUC

Wed, 25 May 2022 11:15:36 +0000

How do we put people at the centre of the conversation when high energy prices, rampant inflation, and lack of control over personal data undermine the foundations of our democracies and, more generally, our well-being? What is sustainability from a consumer perspective?

We explored these issues in this precious conversation with Monique Goyens, Director General of BEUC, the European Consumer Organisation. Monique's association is the voice of consumers in Brussels, representing 43 independent national consumer associations in 32 European countries.

Over the years, Monique has managed to ensure that consumer interests are given weight in developing policies. Monique talks about energy efficiency, especially for the most vulnerable populations. She reports that consumer protection organisations are concerned about the products circulating on marketplaces, inflation, and the impact on households and small businesses. Monique reminds us that "the way information is brought to you can be very much unfair and manipulated" and that the EU must develop its own extremely high data protection standards. Indeed, she says, "If we are manipulated as consumers, we will also be manipulated as citizens".

Monique also stresses that to empower consumers, politicians must make the most sustainable options easily accessible, attractive and affordable. This includes adapting the price signal and taxes. Finally, she reminds us of the importance of intermediaries such as BEUC to provide feedback and information and creates confidence in consumer goods and services and politics.

Follow @MoniqueGoyens on Twitter

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Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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14 - "There is no time left to miss opportunities" for the people and the climate, with Yamina Saheb, OpenExp

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 11:32:22 +0000

Now is the time to break silos and adopt interdisciplinary approaches as "there is no time left to miss opportunities" for the people and the climate, says Yamina Saheb, OpenExp.

Born and raised in Algiers, Yamina has been working for the past twenty years at "pushing and continue pushing" policy boundaries, for instance, on the impact of global warming, summer, and mobility poverty on the well-being of the people in European policymaking. To this aim, she developed an energy and mobility index looking at the causes of energy and mobility poverty and seeing how countries have progressed over time.

Yamina explains how the Yellow vests movement was brought up by inadequate housing, energy, and mobility policies that sold an unsustainable dream, the dream of an individual house in the suburbs where you would never hear your neighbour. This model creates a dependency on personal cars and makes investments in thermal comfort in housing critical but often unaffordable. The risk is, by expanding the emission trading system (ETS) to housing and mobility, it might "expand the Yellow vest movement from France to the rest of Europe". She also denounces that the lack of ambition in Minimum energy performance standards will "lock low income in energy poverty" and worse-performing buildings.

She also calls against the Energy Charter Treaty, an international treaty signed in the 1990s to protect investment in fossil fuels. This treaty is now being turned against policies to decarbonise energy. One tool, in particular, the investor-state dispute settlement, prevents billions of euros from being invested in net-zero transition, as they make the country pay "not just compensation for the investment that was made, but also for the profits, the potential profit that they would have made if you would not have changed your policies". As a result, the treaty allows "foreign investors to put in place the policies they want in your country". Yamina calls on the European Union countries to collectively withdraw from this treaty to avoid fines and create the essential conditions for Europe's energy independence from Russian gas and real transition to net-zero.

Yamina Saheb (@ysaheb) is a lead author of the upcoming Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report. She holds a Ph.D in Energy Engineering and you can now find her lecturing at Sciences Po Paris. Prior to this, she worked for the Universities of Münster and Lausanne, the Energy Charter Secretariat, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, and the International Energy Agency.

Find here Yamina's work on the European Energy Poverty Index (EEPI) and here more information about the Energy Charter Treaty.

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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13 - Shedding a different light on energy news, with Anna Gumbau, Energy Journalist

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 14:56:47 +0000

The current energy crisis is “really the moment of truth.” It sheds light on many issues: the functioning of the market, dependence on fossil fuels, geopolitical impact, energy justice, energy poverty and affordability, and future energy choices and political and corporate strategies. Journalists and newspapers play a fundamental role in clarifying these issues and putting them into perspective for a broader audience. “We should strengthen our ambition in all fronts, and the energy crisis is exposing this”.

Anna Gumbau is a freelance journalist specialising in energy issues. She talks about the importance of using the right wording to make complex topics accessible to those around her and countering the dangers of populism and oversimplification.

She also discusses the importance of diversifying voices and perspectives so that the subject matter is more relevant to people’s experiences. We also talk about women’s representation, the role of men as allies against all-men panels, and her desire to share with her peers and create a caring community. She tells us how being mansplained and belittled in professional settings gave her the grit to start a coaching business and empower women professionals in climate and energy. This coaching activity, called the Green Light, wants to provide coaching and mentoring services and practical tools for women to thrive in these sectors.

Anna Gumbau is a freelance energy and climate journalist based in Brussels. She is usually busy covering the European Green Deal and its impact on central and eastern Europe. Her work’s been published on Euractiv, Energy Monitor, FORESIGHT Climate & Energy, Euranet Plus, and El País. Before going freelance, she was Carbon Pulse’s Brussels correspondent, covering the EU ETS and the Fit for 55 packages, and an energy reporter with Interfax Global Energy Services in London before that. She is a native of Barcelona, where she graduated in Journalism and International Relations.

Reach out to Anna via Twitter @AnnaGumbau or LinkedIn

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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12 - Developing decentralised, decarbonised and smart electricity access in Africa - Nicolas Saincy, Nanoé

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 15:11:49 +0000

A fascination for the African continent coupled with a background in electrical engineering led Nicolas Saincy to co-found Nanoé in Madagascar in 2017. Nanoé’s ambition is to offer a third way in the electrification landscape in rural Africa by providing a solution combining respect for the environment and sustainable development, digital technologies, and social entrepreneurship.

Nicolas denounces the environmental impact of cheap solar kits, which he says “are transferring to the final user a lot of risks that has usually taken by the energy provider like material service breakdowns”.

Instead, he proposes a vision of “lateral” electrification, consolidating access to electricity through the interconnection of nanogrids (connecting a few houses), in areas where the primary grid will probably never arrive. In short, Nanoé’s model enables the “progressive building of decentralised, decarbonised and smart power infrastructures that are able to support the economic and social development of the continent”.

To do this, Nicolas relies on networks of entrepreneurs trained by his teams, often young people lacking professional opportunities. Nicolas talks about his difficulty recruiting women entrepreneurs, even though women make up half of the management team.

Nanoé is a member of the EURICA project, a member of LEAP-RE, the Long-Term Joint European Union - African Union Research and Innovation Partnership on Renewable Energy, an EU-supported programme to improve access to electricity in Africa.

Reach out to Nicolas on LinkedIn or through Nanoé's website.

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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11 - Creating a world where disabled people can thrive - Lucie Middlemiss, University of Leeds

Fri, 21 Jan 2022 19:13:41 +0000

Why is energy poverty unsustainable?

How do disabled people navigate the transition to net-zero?

Read here Lucie's most recent paper, Characterizing the energy use of disabled people in the European Union towards inclusion in the energy transition, with Diana Ivanova.

Lucie's on Twitter: @LucieMiddlemiss

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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10 - Overcome energy poverty with better investment subsidies, with Audrey Dobbins, IER

Fri, 10 Dec 2021 15:38:34 +0000

How can public investment subsidies be better designed to have a greater impact on those who need them most?

What can the business community do to involve people in vulnerable circumstances in the energy transition?

Audrey Dobbins is a researcher at the Institute of Energy Economics and Rational Energy Use (IER) in Germany at the University of Stuttgart. Audrey has built her career between South Africa, Germany and the United States and has worked and studied chemistry, political science and economics. These experiences give her a unique perspective on addressing energy poverty. She is particularly interested in the different capacities of individuals to participate in the energy transition and in the various forms of support and subsidies that could impact the long term. She's a very committed scientist who is passionate about educating policymakers and the business community about the multi-dimensionality of energy poverty and the solutions they can provide. She has demonstrated that better-targeted subsidies around support measures for the energy and climate transition can have a more significant overall impact.

"It's really about trying to find ways or explore and open the debate about how governments want to spend their money and what kind of future you want to pay for".

Find ENGAGER’s toolkit on building a transition with the people.

Audrey Dobbins’ research focuses on analysing the significance of energy poverty on the energy system by applying an energy-economics model. She will soon present a PhD thesis focusing on improving the energy welfare of vulnerable households and the overall energy planning while achieving the energy and social objectives of the energy transition in the German context.

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinecornelis
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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09 - Access to justice for vulnerable people, with Naomi Creutzfeldt and Chris Gill - ESRC Just Energy

Thu, 08 Jul 2021 09:54:54 +0000

How do vulnerable energy consumers access justice? What role do local intermediaries play? What could Ombudsmen do to fill the gaps between citizens and energy companies? How could their services become more accessible?

Dr Naomi Creutzfeldt and Dr Chris Gill are both experts of consumer dispute resolution and the different forms of redress, such as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and the Ombudsman model. Over the last four years, together with yours truly, we have investigated access to justice for vulnerable and energy-poor people in five European countries and regions (UK, France, Italy, Bulgaria and Catalonia - Spain).

In this episode, we explore the genesis of the Just Energy project, the choice of the energy sector as a case study and the baseline on which we started the research. We discuss the potential of complaints for companies and regulatory authorities to build trust in energy markets. We reflect on several key findings, such as the fact that complaining to an Ombudsman can be very intimidating: for many, complaint procedures are neither straightforward nor easy, and ADR schemes are very distant concepts. Local initiatives seem the key intermediaries between (vulnerable) people and formal justice processes, whatever the country. However, even among local actors, the role and function of the Ombudsmen might be unknown. Hence, close cooperation among stakeholders is absolutely critical to make a difference for the people in need. "It's very important to have lots of different avenues available for people to to access justice in different forms".

Dr Naomi Creutzfeldt is a professor of socio-legal studies at the University of Westminster and Dr Chris Gill is a Senior Lecturer in Public Law at the University of Glasgow.

Order your copy of Access to Justice for Vulnerable and Energy-Poor Consumers: Just Energy? - Hart Publishing (2021)

Find all the information about the ESRC Just Energy Project, toolkit and Final Webinar (September 9, 2021 at 12:30 BST)

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinecornelis
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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08 - Becoming an agent of change for sustainable energy and women empowerment - Ilaria Marini - A2A Calore e Servizi

Fri, 25 Jun 2021 09:00:00 +0000

What is district heating, and why is it relevant in the sustainable energy transition? How can more young women be attracted to careers in science and technology?

In this episode, Ilaria Marini describes district heating systems and their role in the energy transition. She gets back on the projects she is working on for A2A Calore e Servizi in Brescia and Milan. She tells us about her passion for science and technology and how it motivated her to build her own path when she lacked role models to show her the way. She shares her experience of how, with the support of her company, she seeks to be an agent of change, create awareness around unconscious bias, encourage gender diversity and inspire other young women to embark on scientific careers.

"It is important to think big if you want to change something, it is important to be proactive and start doing something"

Ilaria Marini is an engineer at the Italian utility A2A Calore e Servizi. At first, in 2017, she focused on the maintenance and optimization of district heating networks. She then became project manager of a demo project site in Brescia in Lombardy. Since last year, she has been involved in the REWARDHeat project, a district heating project using the groundwater wells in the city of Milan.

Reach out to Ilaria Marini on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariniilaria/

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinecornelis
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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07 - Technology to make aviation more sustainable - Jean Paquin, SAF+

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Global aviation accounts for about 2% of greenhouse gas emissions, and many scientists are denouncing its impact and even encouraging people to stop flying. The restrictions on travel and the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 lockdowns have totally reshuffled the deck: many of us have not traveled in the last year and a half. To survive, aviation must therefore reinvent itself, and one of the avenues is fuel. Jean Paquin is the CEO of SAF+ Consortium, a Canadian company making synthetic fuels from captured CO2 emission from large industries.

Can fuels really be sustainable? How do we convince airlines to decarbonise? How do we make consumers aware of the real price of their plane tickets?

In this episode, Jean talks about his vision of the evolution of the airline industry and how, out of a sense of duty to the planet and to his children, he managed to convince airlines to support and grow his project. He reminds us that moving away from fossil fuels is a difficult journey and that synthetic fuels are only a temporary solution before fully energy efficient solutions are developed.

"We need to change clearly the paradigm and look at the way we sustainably survive, we need to embrace new technology that will move us away from fossil fuels and away from the need to consume more and more new resources without making efficient use of the ones we've used already"

Jean Paquin is the co-founder of the SAF+ consortium (“SAF+”) and the Carbon Consult Group. Jean is an engineer with over 25 years of experience in carbon management and the development of renewable energy projects worldwide. He has a wide range of expertise in engineering, management, project finance, Hydro, wind and solar generation.

Reach out to Jean Paquin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanpaquin/

SAF+ Consortium: https://safplusconsortium.com

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinecornelis
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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06 - Fairness means listening to the experiences of all communities - Elizabeth Blakelock

Fri, 28 May 2021 10:30:00 +0000

"We cannot afford to exclude any community from this transition"

What is energy justice and how can it be developed?

"There is so much more to the energy system than technical decisions about moving electrons along a wire"

Reports mentioned:

Inclusive design in essential services https://fairbydesign.com/inclusive-design/
Diversifying Power: Why We Need Antiracist, Feminist Leadership on Climate and Energy. Stephens, Jennie https://islandpress.org/books/diversifying-power
Powerful women: https://powerfulwomen.org.uk/board-statistics-by-company-2021/

Find Dr Elizabeth Blakelock’s work on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethblakelock/

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinecornelis
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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05 - Smart cities start with inclusive infrastructures - Pedro Homem de Gouveia

Mon, 17 May 2021 09:10:11 +0000

"The built environment is a source of opportunities or obstacles"

Why are infrastructures a question of social justice? How can urban spaces be reinvented to become accessible to the greatest number?

In this fascinating discussion, Pedro Homem de Gouveia explains how he came to understand that infrastructure and mobility create barriers or opportunities in people's lives. Pedro underlines why it is necessary to be vigilant against cultural prejudices and why mobility issues require above all an understanding of the users' habits. He informs us about gender and safety issues in public transport, arguing that these issues are not externalities but must be put at the heart of urban network development policies.

Pedro demonstrates that when it comes to mobility and experiencing city life, solutions are often within reach, but they often require a different perspective. Therefore, Pedro encourages professionals from other sectors, from psychology to marketing, to take an interest in transport and infrastructure issues in order to better meet users' needs.

Pedro illustrates his remarks with examples that he has noted over the course of time and his discoveries, as an architect and advisor to the city of Lisbon or as senior policy and project manager at the POLIS, the network of cities and regions for transport innovation.

"Public transport is the backbone of urban mobility (...) but you just don't go walking around with a backbone: you need legs, and feet, and fingers. And if you're going to do something, you also need arms, and hands, and fingers. (...) If we want people to shift away from their private cars into sustainable mobility, we really have to foster the emergence of an alternative ecosystem of modes that work together".

Since 2019, Pedro Homem de Gouveia coordinates POLIS' Working Group for Governance & Integration, which is focused on policymaking for innovation and public participation. He also coordinates the Working Group for Safety and Security, aiming to make city streets safe and transport systems secure. Before joining POLIS, Pedro worked for more than 20 years for the city of Lisbon, in Portugal, as a strategist and advisor.

Find Pedro Homem de Gouveia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedro-homem-de-gouveia-304ab010/

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinecornelis

Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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04 - Making energy feminist, with Mariëlle Feenstra

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 08:51:36 +0000

What is missing to build a truly just, intersectional and inclusive transition? How can academic research be linked with almost 15 years of experience in the public and private sectors?

In this fascinating and personal conversation, Marielle Feenstra tells us how she learns and shares about gender and inclusivity in the energy and climate transition daily. She talks about her ability to create links between the academic world, her work as a consultant, and an advisor to public bodies.

She explains why gender issues continue to be neglected in energy policies (hint: there is a lack of disaggregated data!) and why using the notion of “household” is so far removed from reality that it can hardly yield tangible results. Finally, she talks about the importance of role-playing to create empathy among decision-makers and why gender differences are an excellent way to raise awareness of social justice and diversity. Gender and transitions are a dynamic concept that will evolve, and that decision-makers, companies and policymakers will have to take into consideration

“We bring in our genders, we bring in our social background, we bring in our educational backgrounds, our age, so taking an intersectional approach towards the actors in the energy system reveals their different motives, different knowledge, different understanding and different resources to act upon and make a change.”

Mariëlle Feenstra, “the energy feminist”, has been working on gender and energy policies since 2000. She is currently a PhD researcher at the University of Twente in the Netherlands. She will defend her PhD thesis “Gender Just Energy Policy: engendering the energy transition in Europe” this summer. Together with her supervisor Prof. Dr Joy Clancy, she has written two studies for the FEMM Committee of the European Parliament. Both studies are the first publications in the EU on gender and energy policy. Mariëlle is an active member of the ENGAGER network of energy poverty researchers in Europe. She is also a member of the Board of Advisors for the Dutch community 75InQ, promoting more visibility for diversity in the energy transition.

Find Marielle Feenstra on Twitter @EnergyFeminist and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariellefeenstra/

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinecornelis
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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03 - Level the European playing field and making finance serve society and the planet - Kęstutis Kupšys, EESC

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 16:02:42 +0000

How can we successfully level the political playing field and bring in the voices of civil society, including those of small countries? How can we ensure that finance benefits citizens and works to repair the planet?

"We only have our voice, but with that voice, if you talk about important things, and if you commit to what you say and what you do, your voice becomes a real weapon to achieve your goals."

Kęstutis Kupšys is a Member of the European Economic and Social Committee and a key expert on sustainable finance issues. He explains how he has learned to embrace climate change as an opportunity to transform the economic system we live in. He describes the functioning of the European Economic and Social Committee, an advisory body that informs the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council. Kęstutis expands on the power of finance for the future of the planet and how, today, cryptocurrencies are undermining climate goals.

Finally, he tells us how coming from a small country, Lithuania, is rather an asset when it comes to building consensus, and bridging widely divergent interests.

"The Economic and Social Committee is one of those forums where you can make your voice heard, even if you come from a small country, a small organisation or if you represent a specific group of people with specific problems".

"We no longer have the luxury of choosing what should be sustainable and what should remain business as usual, the whole system has to be changed."

Kęstutis Kupšys is a Member of the European Economic and Social Committee (Group III - Diversity Europe Group), the vice-president of the Lithuanian consumer alliance (member of BEUC) and the director of the Association for Honesty in banking. In his own words, Kęstutis is a sustainable finance, clean mobility and renewable energy enthusiast devoted to unified Europe.

Contact Kęstutis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kestutis-kupsys/

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinecornelis
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory (c)

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Next Energy Consumer, 2021

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02 - Housing policies should focus on the people who live in them - Stefan Bouzarovski and Manon Burbidge, ENPOR project

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 15:16:02 +0000

Is the Renovation Wave on track to address the complexity of fuel poverty?

European policies seem to be getting a better grasp of the phenomenon. Still, even today, although energy poverty and vulnerability are getting more and more attention from European policymakers, many factors remain entirely unexplored. This is particularly the case for the private rented sector.

In this episode, we will discuss this issue with Manon Burbidge and Professor Stefan Bouzarovski.

Stefan Bouzarovski is one of the most influential voices in the energy vulnerability field. Stefan is a professor at the University of Manchester and the head of the ENGAGER network. Manon is a very committed ecologist and a research associate at the University of Manchester.

We will be explaining the findings of their Report on energy poverty in the private rented sector as part of the Horizon 2020 ENPOR project. This report highlights the scale of energy poverty. It presents some solutions on how to address it in the private rented sector.

Why has been energy poverty in the rented sector overlooked so far? How is it possible to reconcile the viewpoints of stakeholders with apparently diverging interests?

Stefan and Manon will talk with us about some solutions and share with us their doubts regarding certain policies and programmes that fail to adopt an intersectional approach that would put residents' needs at the centre, rather than technical and technological responses to the energy inefficiency of buildings.

ENPOR project link: https://www.enpor.eu/

Contact Stefan on Twitter @StefanBuzar and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanbuzar/
Contact Manon on Twitter @Manon_Burbidge and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/manon-burbidge-ab64a9108/

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/marinecornelis
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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01 - Using citizens' experience to build a just energy transition - Marta Garcia Paris, Ecoserveis

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 12:31:35 +0000

"Citizens are the experts, and we are only translating this expertise into projects and initiatives"

In this episode, Marine Cornelis meets Marta Garcia Paris, the CEO of Ecoserveis.

Ecoserveis has undoubtedly transformed how energy poverty and consumer experience, in general, are taken into consideration in Barcelona and Europe.

Marta talks about engaging people in the energy transition while protecting them against climate change; the impact of COVID on vulnerable populations; the importance of providing information through trusted parties to empower citizens; and that European projects enable her to learn and keep her mind open to new ideas.

See all Ecoserveis' ongoing and past projects: https://www.ecoserveis.net/en/what-we-do/projects/

Reach out to Marta on Twitter @Martutis6 or Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/marta-garc%C3%ADa-par%C3%ADs/

Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinecornelis
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory

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