Thomas Vladeck

It was so great to be 65 people and take action on climate. 💡 I learned something new - that without increased transmission capacity, it will be difficult to transition to a 100% clean power grid. Battery storage alone is not enough to adequately and efficiently balance a grid with significant solar and wind generation, we need to add total capacity and improve interregional transmission across the entire U.S. power grid.

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Very excited to share my latest piece in Forbes - "Adaptation and resilience in corporate climate agendas" If any of the below resonates, esp. with those working on adaptation + resilience and/or corporate climate + sustainability - our team at Riffle Ventures would love to hear from you! Main idea - climate adaptation and resilience can be an innovation driver for companies and we need to accelerate this agenda. 🏭 Most discussions around corporations and their climate agendas focus on if, how, and how quickly, big businesses are reducing their greenhouse gas emissions, as well as decreasing their own negative externalities on the natural environment. 💰 However, in parallel climate change is creating growing financial, infrastructure, health and other risks that could disrupt large companies, some of which is already happening. While the tools and strategies for decarbonization are fairly well-covered, we are only scratching the surface when it comes to building resilience and adapting to a warming planet. 🈺 Of course, emissions and corporate sustainability targets need urgent attention and commitment, but in parallel we need to make sure companies writ large are adapting to and building resilience against climate risks - e.g. droughts, floods, fires, grid instability and weakening infrastructure - are all a growing reality on a warming planet. 🆘 Corporations, regardless of industry and geography will require support across the board in navigating climate change's most pressing threats. The risk of not doing so could have near-term, material impacts on protecting critical infrastructure as well as access to necessary products and services - food and medicine - and could also negatively impact human's themselves - heat stress, job loss, etc. 🤖 There is a growing technology solution set focusing on climate adaptation and resilience, and we need to bridge the gap between between these climate tech startups and the corporate sector. In turn, corporations can have an enormous impact in helping to scale climate innovations and bolster the surrounding ecosystem. Many thanks to Jackie Roberts for providing time and insight for the article, Dhruv Jesrani for being the design wizard and to Suma Reddy Connie Bowen Abrar Chaudhury Alhan Fakhr Laith Kawar Madeleine Futterman Emmanuelle Palikuca Omar Saif Andrew Chang Hope Petraro Tom K. Deepa Lounsbury for their guidance along the way while we did the research for this, and for Dahna Goldstein for being the connection to Jackie! #ClimateAction #SustainableBusiness #CorporateResponsibility #SustainabilityGoals #ClimateLeadership #CorporateSustainability #SustainableDevelopment #ClimateInnovation #ClimateChangeAdaptation #ResilienceStrategies #SustainableSolutions #ClimateResilience #BuildingResilience #ClimateChangeResponse #AdaptationStrategies

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In 2023, the largest segments in the climate tech vertical were low-carbon mobility, industry, grid infrastructure, intermittent renewable energy sources (solar and wind). 50 VC deals for climate tech companies in 2023 exceeded $150 million, and of these, nine exceeded $500 million. Companies that need a lot of capital to execute on a big vision can succeed today. #climatetech #climateVC #climate

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Well, let’s just say it: New York Climate Week is “the new COP.” As our good friends at Sightline said so well, “Vibe-wise, this NYCW centered more on solutions and getting down to brass tacks, rather than outlining high-level problems.” NYCW is where people go to get things done. Sure, it was a mosh pit of decentralized, self-assembling change, but…like NYC itself, the chaos works. Let’s call it: NYCW>COP.

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S2G Ventures’ new report, The Climate Finance Relay Race, highlights how asset owners have the opportunity to fill a critical funding gap for climate-focused innovations and how having a solid ecosystem can help them do so. I think this is an important read for anyone interested in #climate #finance. https://lnkd.in/gjtFhHPy Mike Wise Sanjeev Krishnan Jinchen Zou

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Great to see the guardrails the White House has proposed around carbon offsets. This approach could help ensure that offsets make a meaningful and measurable reduction in emissions that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. I’m proud that at Juniper, we are committed to zeroing out our emissions not only from our own operations, but across our value chain.   https://lnkd.in/gE7xSZ2v

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🌍 Exciting news! Apparel Impact Institute (Aii) has just announced the newest round of Climate Solutions Portfolio (CSP) grants, part of the $250 million Fashion Climate Fund aimed at unlocking $2 billion in blended capital for industry-wide decarbonization. These grants provide essential funding and support for scalable, science-based solutions that help the fashion industry reduce its environmental impact.🌱 This round of grantees – Pozzi, Grant Thornton, and Amphico – are tackling unique supply chain challenges with innovative technologies, offering measurable greenhouse gas reductions. Collectively, these projects have the potential to save over 24,000 tCO2e within their first year of implementation! 💡 Highlights include: * Pozzi's advanced heat recovery system for the textile wet processing sector * Grant Thornton's innovative approach to energy conservation in the lubricant industry * Amphico's cutting-edge color-mixing technology for textiles, creating vibrant fabrics with reduced environmental impact A huge congratulations to these trailblazers for their commitment to a sustainable future. Learn more about their projects and how Aii is driving decarbonization efforts across the industry #Sustainability #ClimateAction #Decarbonization #FashionIndustry #ApparelImpactInstitute #InnovationForImpact #CSPGrantees #SustainableFashion #Decarbonization

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We've been working under the hood at LIVSN on the execution behind the word "sustainability" and what it means to put our money where our mouth is. And by "we" I mean Abby Hollis and Wyatt Rice - who have gone above and beyond in this pursuit. I hope you take some time to read the article linked below for context on the how.

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Adaptation has been the poor cousin of #climatetech for too long, but in 2024 with 1.5C in the rearview mirror we can't afford to ignore it any longer. In this Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations we take you inside the first dedicated conference on climate adaptation investing - ADAPT YOUR WORLD powered by CAP in Munich last month, created by Ulrich Seitz. Listen below! We've got great interviews with Richard Youngman of Cleantech Group on their view on shifts in the landscape, #firetech pioneer Thomas Grübler of OroraTech on how they're using AI and satellite data to help tackle wildfires that are costing up to 4% of GDP each year in the US alone, and getting worse. We've also got samples from conversations featuring Ben Murphy of Kiko Ventures, Tobias Engelmeier of climate risk software strartup VIDA, Jil Lindau, CFA ESG of 2150, Robert Sunderland of climate risk data player RedLines, Fonger Ypma of Arctic Reflections, Tim P. Jungblut of Eurazeo, Helge Daebel of Emerald Technology Ventures, and more. Enjoy! Links to Apple Podcasts and Spotify in the comments.

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"There's plenty of capital available in multiple flavors for Climate Tech Companies..." 🌍💸 Did you know that in 2023, 50 VC deals for climate tech companies exceeded $150 million, with nine of those surpassing $500 million? Venture capitalists are increasingly turning their focus toward startups to tackle the climate crisis, marking a significant shift in investment priorities. Despite the challenging environment for venture capital in 2023, with overall investment in climate tech falling by 14.5% to $41.1 billion, the commitment to climate solutions remains robust. Key trends and insights are shaping the evolving landscape of climate tech investment. Are you an early-stage Climate Tech founder looking to fundraise? Curious about the main drivers for the industry? ⬇ Dive into my latest Forbes article to learn more. Special thanks to Hannah Sieber & Arun Gupta for sharing your invaluable insights! https://lnkd.in/gNhe8jew #ClimateTech #VentureCapital #Forbes Artyc Skyven Technologies

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Climate Capital Guidebook: The Biden-Harris Administration is releasing a new Climate Capital Guidebook to provide a simple, comprehensive map of capital programs across the federal government that are available to climate-related start-ups, small- and medium-sized businesses, and their investors. While larger, institutionally-backed climate companies may have the resources to identify and access federal funding opportunities, smaller enterprises may face greater challenges in navigating these federal programs. https://lnkd.in/eJ3QV4Fw #climatechange #climatetech

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Yet another example of an extreme climate-induced "tail risk" that will wreck havoc on our entire economic system. We can expect these new 1-100 year extreme events to arrive much sooner and be much more unpredictable than anything we've ever experienced. We need to discuss #planetary #insolvency. #banks #insurance #investments and #pensions are all at risk. #scorpions #tail #club and the 3 Laws for Business https://lnkd.in/gsRxyxi6 Sandy Trust Mike Clark Aniket Shah, PhD Darius Nassiry Mark Cliffe Steve Waygood Tim Lenton Nick Spencer Matthew Bell Nathan Fabian Barbara Zvan Christina Marciano Brian Zeiler-Kligman Jane Ambachtsheer Jeff Gitterman Ian Kaplan James Alexander Anika Heck Lindsay Hooper Ruth Richardson Riona Bowhay Karen Lockridge Anna Murray Steve McLennan Ziad Hindo Andrea Moffat ICD.D Wilhelmina Verdegaal Aled Jones https://lnkd.in/g4AVECg7

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Bill McKibben's latest post on the impact of climate change on economies resonates with me. We have seen major climate disasters in recent years, and it's clear that they are not just impacting local economies but also global ones. It's concerning that big businesses continue to resist change, despite the long-term economic benefits of sustainable practices. Why do some businesses choose to churn through resources when it's ultimately bad for their bottom line and branding? Sustainable solutions are the way forward, and the data shows that they ultimately provide better returns. By using resources sustainably, we can ensure the longevity of our brands and economies. It's time for businesses to shift their thinking and embrace climate change solutions. Short-sightedness and small-minded thinking will only lead to further danger for all of us. Let's work together towards a sustainable future. #climatechange #solar #batterystorage #DER #climatechangesolutions #decarbonization

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Carbon removal just got a major boost. Puro.earth, the pioneer in durable carbon dioxide removal, has joined forces with Frontier, the billion-dollar carbon removal initiative. This partnership isn't just about offsetting emissions - it's about scaling technologies that actively pull CO2 from our atmosphere. As the climate crisis intensifies, collaborations like this could be the key to turning the tide. #CarbonRemoval #ClimateAction #Sustainability #CleanTech #NetZero

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Dear CSOs, think of SBTi as the GPS for your company’s climate strategy 🌍🧭 …. CSOs are often navigating a complex landscape of confusing climate standards and initiatives. To clarify what the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is and how it can be instrumental in your sustainability efforts, here’s a handy analogy to think of it as your professional GPS: 🔍 Finding Your Route: Just like a GPS helps you find the best route to your destination, the SBTi guides your company in setting realistic and science-backed goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It ensures you're on the right path to meet global climate targets, specifically those outlined in the Paris Agreement. 🎯 Setting Milestones: Imagine you're on a road trip with several stops along the way. The SBTi helps you set clear milestones for your emissions reductions, ensuring you're making steady progress. These targets aren't just pulled out of thin air—they're grounded in the latest climate science. 🏆 Achieving the Destination: Ultimately, the SBTi aims to help you reach a 'climate safe' destination. This means your company is doing its part to keep global warming in check, ideally below 1.5°C. The SBTi framework supports you in making this journey with precision and accountability, ensuring your efforts are both ambitious and credible. 🔗 Complementing Other Standards: You might have heard of other frameworks like VCMI. Think of these like different maps or tools you can use on your trip. While VCMI focuses on the integrity of carbon credits and how to use them as part of your carbon footprint reduction strategy , SBTi is about your emissions reduction path. They can complement each other, but SBTi is your primary guide for setting and achieving science-based targets. By utilizing the SBTi, you can navigate the complexities of corporate climate action with confidence and clarity. It offers a well-defined route to achieving substantial and credible emissions reductions. For a deeper dive into setting science-based targets, I recommend downloading the SBTi’s comprehensive guide. It's an essential resource for steering your sustainability efforts in the right direction. 👇 https://lnkd.in/dJnFDhYB

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HOAs have the potential for a lot of collective good in this climate transition, as often decarbonization can be easier and economically more attractive at scale. Examples: shared EV charging, district geothermal, community solar / PPA, group-purchasing of heat pumps, contracting with electrified lawn care companies. Has anyone found a good model for realizing this potential? Feels like the state should prioritize working with these organized communities, but perhaps there’s a role for private companies as well.

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As we scale climate tech solutions, we need to carefully consider the impact to local communities. Thanks Evan Halper for a great front page article in today's The Washington Post that highlights this issue with a proposed CO2 storage plan in Montana. Injecting and storing CO2 in porous geological formations sounds scary, particularly given the negative side effects of fracking. I think the concerned ranchers in Montana are completely justified. But, we need to solve the climate crisis, and CO2 removal is an important part of the solution. This issue will continue as more and more first-of-a-kind (FOAK) projects break ground and expand. Early, frequent, and transparent community engagement is critical. #climatechange #climatesolutions #climateaction

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A fascinating piece in the NY Times-Breaking News today using research and data enumerating the impacts of #climatechange...not just the #enviornmental impacts we all see and feel, but the social and economic. An excerpt..."an empirically nuanced understanding of climate damages makes it even clearer that reducing emissions aggressively makes cost-benefit sense, not only because we want to insure against total ecological breakdown (cue “extinction rebellion” and “tipping points”), but also because the economic costs of even “noncatastrophic” warming may be considerable." #Recommended reading for today: https://lnkd.in/g3StXccV #decarbonization #gigacorn #gigacornhunter #optimist

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🇺🇸 The U.S. Federal departments and offices have just released the "Voluntary Carbon Markets Joint Policy Statement and Principles”. We at International Carbon Registry celebrate more clarity on the direction of this important market and its role in the climate crisis. Notable developments include: • The emergence of multi-stakeholder initiatives that have set out standards and principles for high-integrity credit development and responsible credit use; • Improvements to key crediting methodologies, their guiding standards, and tracking systems; • New and improved analytical products and services that aim to strengthen credit transparency and quality comparability, such as carbon credit rating services; • Technologies to support robust measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification (MMRV); • Multilateral rules, guidance, and procedures developed under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and the international aviation sector's global carbon market-based measure, which shape certified emissions reductions and removals that often find their home in VCMs'; and • Advances in the development of market infrastructure to improve transparency and liquidity, as well as the integrity of market transactions.

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