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Smart Society Show

Smart Society Venturessmartsocietyventures.com
Join former UK Energy Minister Chris Skidmore and Venture Capital investor Brynne Kennedy as they explore cutting-edge climate technology and policy. This bi-weekly show features interviews with global climate leaders and innovators, offering insights on climate and technology markets. Discover the companies and visionaries shaping the world's largest economic opportunity and driving the path to Net Zero. Whether you're a policy maker, entrepreneur, investor, or climate enthusiast, The Smart Society Show brings you the latest in climate innovation. Brought to you by Smart Society Ventures.

Episodes

S1E12: The EU Omnibus, Circular Design, and Agrivoltaics with William McDonough, CEO of McDonough Innovation and Nicolas Weber, Co-founder and CEO of Voltiris

In this episode of The Smart Society Show , co-hosts Brynne Kennedy and Chris Skidmore break down the latest shifts in climate markets, including the EU Omnibus and its far-reaching impact on sustainability reporting and investment trends. They explore what these regulatory changes mean for businesses, investors, and the future of climate finance. In our Chasing Net Zero segment, we welcome William McDonough, renowned architect and sustainability pioneer, to discuss circular economy principles, ...

Mar 10, 202551 minSeason 1Ep. 12

S1E11: Davos, Trump’s Energy Agenda, and the Built Environment with Simon McWhirter (Deputy Chief Executive, UKGBC) and Simon Phelan (Founder & CEO, Hometree)

In episode 11 of The Smart Society Show, co-hosts Brynne Kennedy and Chris Skidmore break down the key takeaways from Davos, analyzing the global reaction to the new U.S. administration’s energy policies, the impact of deregulation on markets, and what it all means for the future of the energy transition. They also examine the growing divide between U.S. and European approaches to climate policy and investment. This week, in our Chasing Net-Zero segment, we are joined by Simon McWhirter, Deputy ...

Jan 31, 202557 minSeason 1Ep. 11

S1E10: Breaching 1.5°C Threshold, Advancing Clean Energy Innovation, and EV Charging Expansion with Julien Villeret (CIO at EDF) and Aurélien de Meaux (Co-founder & CEO ofElectra)

In episode 10 of The Smart Society Show, co-hosts Brynne Kennedy and Chris Skidmore dive into pressing climate and financial news, from the breaching of the 1.5°C threshold to the implications of major financial institutions withdrawing from climate coalitions. They also explore how these developments impact global efforts toward decarbonization and net-zero ambitions. This week, in our chasing Net-Zero segment, we are thrilled to welcome Julien Villeret, Chief Innovation Officer at EDF, to disc...

Jan 16, 202553 minSeason 1Ep. 10

S1E9: US Energy Shifts, Corporate Sustainability, and Climate Economics with Lord Nicholas Stern (LSE Prof. & GRI Chair) and Lubomila Jordanova (Plan A CEO & Co-founder)

In this episode of The Smart Society Show, co-hosts Brynne Kennedy and Chris Skidmore dive into the significant shifts in U.S. energy policies, reflecting on the new administration's impact on climate and energy strategies. They discuss how these changes are poised to affect both national and global sustainability efforts, from corporate actions to economic policies. This week, we are honored to be joined by Lord Nicholas Stern, an influential voice in climate economics, who explores the critica...

Jan 09, 202542 minSeason 1Ep. 9

S1E8: Unlocking the UK's Clean Power Potential and Pioneering Carbon Removal Innovations with David Livingston (CSO at Galvanize) and Valentin Gutknecht (Co-founder and Co-CEO of Neustark)

In this episode of The Smart Society Show, co-hosts Brynne Kennedy and Chris Skidmore discuss the unveiling of the UK's comprehensive Clean Power Action Plan, detailing the ambitious steps the UK government is taking to enhance renewable energy production and grid capacity. From offshore wind targets to significant investment needs, they explore how these strategies position the UK as a leader in the energy transition. Joining the conversation, David Livingston, Chief Strategy Officer at Galvani...

Dec 19, 20241 hr 2 minSeason 1Ep. 8

Clean Energy, Carbon Markets and COP29 with Ann Mettler of Breakthrough Energy, and Wolfgang Gründinger of Enpal, Germany’s First GreenTech Unicorn

In this episode of The Smart Society Show, co-hosts Brynne Kennedy and Chris Skidmore unpack the latest developments in global energy markets, including reflections from COP29, the nomination of the new U.S. energy secretary, and emerging EV trends. Ann Mettler, Vice President for Europe at Breakthrough Energy, discusses tackling regulatory complexity and scaling clean technologies, while Wolfgang Gründinger, Chief Evangelist of Enpal, shares how Germany’s first GreenTech unicorn is transforming...

Dec 05, 202458 minSeason 1Ep. 7

S1E6: COP 29 Updates and Reinventing Insurance for New Risks with Anthony Hobley (Deputy Chair, Climate Risk & Resilience at Howden) and Tanguy Touffut (CEO & Co-Founder of Descartes Underwriting)

Get the latest insights from COP 29 as Chris Skidmore shares updates from the ground in Baku with co-host Brynne Kennedy. Dive into how the insurance industry is evolving to tackle climate and cybersecurity risks with Anthony Hobley, Deputy Chair of Climate Risk & Resilience at Howden, and Tanguy Touffut, CEO of Descartes Underwriting. From carbon markets to cutting-edge risk modeling, this episode explores the intersection of climate innovation and insurance.

Nov 22, 202450 minSeason 1Ep. 6

S1 E5: After the US Election: Europe’s Climate Role, Rhian-Mari Thomas (CEO, Green Finance Institute) on Sustainable Finance, and Tommy Ricketts (Co-Founder&CEO, BeZero) on Carbon Ratings and Markets

In this episode of The Smart Society Show , hosts Brynne Kennedy and Chris Skidmore explore the post-election landscape and its implications for Europe’s climate leadership and green innovation. Joined by Rhian-Mari Thomas, CEO of the Green Finance Institute, they discuss pioneering financing solutions to tackle the climate crisis across sectors, from green mortgages to nature-based solutions. Later, Tommy Ricketts, CEO & Co-founder of BeZero, reveals how data and transparency are reshaping ...

Nov 07, 202457 minSeason 1Ep. 5

S1 E1: UK Climate Envoy Rachel Kyte & Sylvera's CEO Allister Furey discuss a bright future ahead for carbon markets

Smart Society Show is a bi-weekly discussion with Brynne Kennedy and Chris Skidmore on climate tech markets and innovation. This week they discuss a rate cut, Microsoft nuclear deal and bright future ahead for carbon markets; interviews with Rachel Kyte (UK Climate Envoy & Co-Chair of the Voluntary Carbon Markets Initiative) and Allister Furey (Co-founder and CEO, Sylvera). VCMI - Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative - https://vcmintegrity.org/ Sylvera is a carbon data provider that...

Sep 25, 20241 hr 2 minSeason 1Ep. 1

Introducing The Smart Society Show with Brynne Kennedy and Chris Skidmore

Welcome to the Smart Society Show - where hosts Brynne Kennedy (Managing Partner, Smart Society Ventures) and Chris Skidmore (former UK Energy Minister) break down what's happening in climate tech - talking to thought leaders, investors and unicorn founders that are helping deliver the path to Net Zero.

Sep 24, 202442 min