Guest: Adam Hearne, CEO & Co-founder of CarbonChain
Host: Dr. Gbemi Oluleye, Lecturer at Imperial College London
In this episode, we explore the complexities of industrial decarbonisation and how energy-intensive sectors can transition to a net-zero economy.
Key Topics Discussed:
- The technical challenges in industrial decarbonisation
- The role of innovative technologies in reducing carbon footprints
- How carbon accounting software enables businesses to track and manage emissions
The impact of smart policies and financial incentives on industry transitions
The importance of hidden heroes—leaders driving sustainability from within
Chapters & Timecodes
00:00 – Introduction – The mission of Energy Futures Podcast
00:31 – Guest Introduction – Dr. Gbemi Oluleye introduces Adam Hearne
01:58 – What is Industrial Decarbonisation? – Defining the challenge
03:16 – Carbon Accounting for Heavy Industries – Adam’s work at CarbonChain
05:18 – Realistic Decarbonisation Pathways – Sector-specific strategies
08:18 – Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) Debate – Is CCS a viable solution?
09:51 – Biggest Challenges in Industrial Decarbonisation – Policy instability and market incentives
12:46 – Smart Policy for Industrial Decarbonisation – Designing effective regulations
15:25 – Carbon Pricing & Border Adjustment Mechanisms – The UK and global landscape
17:30 – Should Policy Be Technology Agnostic? – Designing effective support mechanisms
19:39 – What Can Industry Do Now? – Actions despite policy gaps
22:04 – Biggest Opportunities from Industrial Decarbonisation – Economic and job growth
26:30 – Lessons for Other Sectors – What non-heavy industries can learn
27:54 – The UK vs Global Industrial Decarbonisation Landscape – Strengths and weaknesses
30:52 – The Role of Carbon Accounting – The ‘underdog’ of industrial sustainability
34:20 – The Power of Hidden Heroes – Leaders making change happen
40:28 – Encouraging Innovation in Deep Tech – The need for long-term vision
43:17 – Advice for the Academic Community – Bridging research and policy
45:11 – Exciting Future of Industrial Decarbonisation – Workforce transformation and consumer impact
47:07 – Smart Finance & Resource Allocation – Retrofitting vs. new industry
51:34 – Collaboration for Net Zero – Academia, startups, and government
53:31 – Closing Thoughts & Call to Action – How to get involved
Adam’s Links
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhearne/
CarbonChain- https://www.carbonchain.com/
Gbemi’s links
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbemi-oluleye-amicheme-fhea-phd-16a5963b/
Imperial profile: https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/o.oluleye
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Produced by Jonny Prest
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