Energy Crisis Part 3 - Craig Golinowski talks Underinvestment, the Energy Crisis and Policy Durability

12/15/22 • 33 min

40bn tonnes a year of GHGs is a massive issue that people on all sides of the political spectrum are committed to tackling. But are our international policies up to the task? Can we get around the historic lack of investment in energy that has both created a reliance on key products/markets and is now effectively pushing some countries to spend even more on fossil fuels? And is it realistic to make the big switch to renewables or do we have to rethink and re-engage with existing fuel mixes?

Craig joined the podcast earlier in the year and talked about the Carbon Paradox, which at the time theorised that underinvestment in energy, too much focus on renewables and future shortages of nat gas would simply lead to more use of dirtier fuels. A few months on, now with a War in Ukraine to contend with, and we are seeing just that – more reliance (not less) on fossil fuels.

So what’s the answer? Join us to get Craig’s assessment of the decarbonisation landscape and to hear his perspective on gas and nuclear as an essential part of any sustainable energy mix. Alex and Craig discuss the need for durable policy, and dig into Craigs assessment that more, not less, development of gas is needed.

We also explore the emerging role of the US as the single largest “buyer of co2” with the updated $85 per tonne price point – does this not only jumpstart US decarbonisation but also help them leapfrog other nations and regions, perhaps drawing in investment from those markets?

Learn more about Craig Golinowski

Learn more about Carbon Infrastructure Partners, a private equity fund manager focused on investing in carbon capture projects to meaningfully reduce emissions

Find out more about Decarb Connect and our founder Alex Cameron

To stay updated on Decarb Connect’s podcast, summits, reports and webinars, join the Decarb Connect Newsletter

Listen to more Decarb Connect podcast episodes

Follow Decarb Connect on LinkedIn

We are always looking for different voices and perspectives on the energy transition – get in touch If you’d like to take part.

Decarb Connect supports the acceleration of industrial decarbonization around the globe. We share insights and facilitate collaborations across the emerging decarbonization ecosystem. We look specifically at the most energy-intensive industrials from cement, metals and mining, glass, ceramics, chemicals, O&G and many more and help connect them to technology disruptors, investors and advisors.

Through the Decarbonisation Leaders Network (DLN), our members (a cross-sector network of those leading decarbonisation in energy-intensive industries) share insights and experiences as they accelerate their Net Zero plans. Check out Decarb Connect’s offerings and learn about the Decarbonisation Leaders Network members, meetups and benefits.

If you enjoyed this conversation, take a look at many more conversations and discussions about industrial decarbonisation taking place across Decarb Connect’s global event series.

Many thanks to Janno Media for their support and expertise in the edit and production of our series.

Learn more about Craig Golinowski

Learn more about Carbon Infrastructure Partners, a private equity fund manager focused on investing in carbon capture projects to meaningfully reduce emissions

Find out more about Decarb Connect and our founder Alex Cameron

To stay updated on Decarb Connect’s podcast, summits, reports and webinars, join the Decarb Connect Newsletter

Listen to more Decarb Connect podcast episodes

Follow Decarb Connect on LinkedIn

We are always looking for different voices and perspectives on the energy transition – get in touch If you’d like to take part.

If you enjoyed this conversation, take a look at many more conversations and discussions about industrial decarbonisation taking place across Decarb Connect’s global event series.

Many thanks to Janno Media for their support and expertise in the edit and production of our series.

Previous Episode

Energy Crisis Part 2 - Decarbonising industry through the energy crisis - finding the opportunities

Jerome Lucaes joins Alex Cameron to talk about the impact of the European energy crisis on industrial co2 strategies. Jerome brings plenty of experience from both RUSAL and Rio Tinto and critical industries on the creation of high-value net zero strategies.

Jerome Lucaes is the former Head of Marketing and Sustainability for RUSAL and now leads FFZero which advises industrials on net zero strategy and execution. He joins Alex Cameron, Founder of Decarb Connect, as part of the podcasts miniseries on the energy crisis.

Listen in to gain Jerome’s perspective on how the crisis presents opportunity as well as challenge, specifically the opportunity to accelerate decarbonisation as long as the right incentives remain in play. The conversation explores examples of shifts that industrials in sectors from copper, steel, glass and ferts are making - from energy efficiency programs through to a widening energy mix. You’ll also get some insight on how the current environment impacts the plans for hydrogen in industry.

Jerome’s an advocate for using the crisis as an accelerator to move away from fossil fuels (not simply turning from gas to other, dirtier fuels) and also talks about the way industrial leaders can balance the short term crunch with long term goals for net zero.

With so much to consider, the conversation also takes a look at the role of investors as well as industry and government during this time of upheaval. Finally, we talk about how to plan for change while so much is going on at a macro level.

Jerome’s expertise comes from years in sustainability leadership roles at RUSAL and Rio Tinto. If you have similar or aligned decarbonisation experience and would like to talk about any issue relating to industrial decarbonisation, get in touch. We welcome stories, experiences and different voices from around the world.

Show links:

Learn more about Jerome Lucaes, his work and how to connect to him

Click here to find out more about Decarb Connect and our founder Alex Cameron

Join our Decarbonisation Leaders Network to get insights from across the energy-intensive landscape

Choose this link to stay updated on Decarb Connect’s podcast, summits, reports and webinars: join the Decarb Connect Newsletter

Listen to more Decarb Connect podcast episodes

Follow Decarb Connect on LinkedIn

If you enjoyed this conversation, take a look at many more conversations and discussions about industrial decarbonisation taking place across Decarb Connect’s global event series.

Many thanks to Janno Media for their support, and specifically Sassy our Editor, for expertise and support through the production of our series.

Next Episode

How is Wyoming, a major fossil fuel state, creating the foundations and infrastructure for a future Hydrogen market??

No matter where you’re based in the world, national policy only gets you so far in the creation of low carbon economies. This week we talk with Eugene Holubnyak of the H2 Research Center at the University of Wyoming to learn about the state’s journey towards a competitive hydrogen economy.

Wyoming is the US’s largest coal producing state, a major producer of crude oil, and natural gas too — so as a state firmly rooted in the fossil fuel economy what could a transition to a low carbon economy look like and how can it be done in a way that’s really competitive and positive for the state’s economy?

Download the episode to hear about the current status quo in Wyoming’s energy sector – but also about the significant amount of work that has already been underway in piloting and testing climate and low carbon technologies. With a specific focus on hydrogen, Eugene and Alex talk about where traction is being gained and how state and federal policy is already helping to shape opportunities.

You’ll hear about plans for the Western States Hydrogen Hub, who’s involved at public and private level and why Wyoming is an ideal location for hydrogen projects to be developed (clue – lots of potential for offtake and a positive permitting environment).

If you’re involved in project development, hydrogen tech, policy creation or are an industrial interested in how peers are engaging at a state level – this is a great discussion for you to listen in to.

Podcast links:

Connect with Eugene Holubnyak and explore how you could collaborate with the H2 Research Center at the University of Wyoming

Read up on Wyoming's hydrogen strategy concept paper

Learn about the work of the University of Wyoming’s Hydrogen Research Center

Connect with Alex Cameron, Founder of Decarb Connect, and suggest a podcast episode

Are you interested in major hydrogen and decarbonization projects? Join us at our Houston event in March 2023 - Decarb Connect North America. You’ll gain insights in specific case studies on industrial decarbonization and meet the industrials, investors, tech and policy leaders working to accelerate decarbonization. Use it as an opportunity to forge your next collaboration or to get ideas for your own decarbonization strategy.

Decarb Connect supports the acceleration of industrial decarbonization around the globe. We share insights and facilitate collaborations across the emerging decarbonization ecosystem. We look specifically at the most energy-intensive industrials from cement, metals and mining, glass, ceramics, chemicals, O&G and many more and help connect them to technology disruptors, investors and advisors.

Through the Decarbonization Leaders Network (DLN), our members (a cross-sector network of those leading decarbonisation in energy-intensive industries) share insights and experiences as they accelerate their net zero plans. Check out our full offering and learn more about our members, summits, reports and webinars.
If you enjoyed this conversation, take a look at many more conversations and discussions about industrial decarbonisation taking place across our global event series.

Many thanks to our editor, Sassy at Janno Media, for her support of this series.