Can synthetic fuels ever be produced cheaply enough to compete with fossil alternatives? Florian Hildebrand, co-founder and CEO of Greenlyte Carbon Technologies, thinks the answer is yes — and that the industry has been solving the wrong problem.

In this interview, Hildebrand explains how Greenlyte's Liquid Solar platform uses cheap intermittent renewable energy as its organising principle, why the company has deliberately walked away from the carbon credit market, and how a tolling model built around existing industrial infrastructure could bridge the gap between small-scale pilots and meaningful fuel volumes.

We also discuss Greenlyte's strategic partnership with Rheinmetall, INERATEC and Sunfire under the GigaPtX initiative, the lessons the industry should draw from Climeworks' experience of premature scaling, and why Hildebrand believes 2040 is the realistic horizon for a substantial market shift in hard-to-abate sectors including aviation and shipping.

Greenlyte was founded in 2022 in Essen, in Germany's Ruhr industrial region, and has raised just over €55 million to date. Its first commercial eMethanol facility is planned for deployment by the end of 2026.

Climate Solutions News covers climate policy, technology and finance for professionals working on the energy transition. New interviews and analysis every week.

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In this episode of Climate Solutions News, Dominic Shales speaks with Brittany Harris, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of QFlow, about why construction projects often fail to deliver the carbon and cost savings set out at design stage, and how better data can close that gap.

Construction and the wider built environment account for close to 40 percent of global carbon emissions, yet many projects still rely on paper tickets, estimates and fragmented reporting. Harris explains how capturing verified materials and waste data directly from construction sites can prevent rework, reduce embodied carbon and improve financial performance. Drawing on her background as a civil engineer, she describes how seemingly minor material substitutions can trigger delays, cost overruns and avoidable emissions.

The discussion examines whether these failures stem from mistakes, broken information flows or structural incentives within the construction supply chain, and why technology works best as an early warning system rather than an automated decision-maker. Harris also discusses the impact of regulation, including sustainability reporting and building safety requirements, and how different regions are responding to similar data challenges through the lenses of carbon, cost, resilience and quality.

The episode focuses on execution rather than ambition, and on how making construction data visible and verifiable is becoming central to delivering both climate and commercial outcomes.

Keywords

construction, carbon emissions, sustainability, data technology, Qflow, rework, regulatory pressures, construction industry, Brittany Harris, environmental impact

Takeaways

The built environment is responsible for nearly 40% of carbon emissions.

Embodied carbon from construction materials accounts for about 11% of emissions.

Qflow aims to make construction more transparent and efficient.

Sound Bites

"We founded Qflow to make construction sustainable."

"Data visibility can prevent construction delays."

"30% of rework is due to materials mismanagement."

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In this episode, Dominic Shales speaks with Freddie Ingleby, Managing Director of Caledonian Climate, about one of the most powerful and overlooked climate solutions, peatlands.

Peatlands store more carbon than all the world’s forests combined, yet when degraded they become major sources of emissions. Ingleby explains what peatlands are, why Scotland is globally significant, and how restoring damaged bogs can deliver long-term emissions reductions, biodiversity recovery, and improved water security.

The conversation explores how peatland restoration works on the ground, from re-wetting landscapes to reshaping eroded peat, and why these projects require decades-long monitoring. Despite appearing low-tech, the sector is increasingly using digital mapping, sensors, and artificial intelligence to improve accuracy, integrity, and investor confidence.

Ingleby also discusses the role of private finance in scaling nature-based solutions, including Caledonian Climate’s recent partnership with Diageo, and what landowners gain from restoring peatlands.

A practical, grounded discussion on how nature, science, and technology intersect in the fight against climate change.

You can also check out our full article at: https://climatesolutions.news/spotlight/peatlands-carbon-and-the-climate-power-of-scotlands-bogs

Keywords:

peatland restoration, carbon storage, climate change, Caledonian Climate, biodiversity, technology in restoration, corporate partnerships, landowner benefits, environmental impact, sustainability

Takeaways:

Peatlands are crucial for carbon storage, holding more carbon than all forests combined.

Caledonian Climate aims to restore peatlands at scale, having restored 10,000 hectares since 2021.

Restoration projects can lead to over 2.1 million tonnes of carbon reductions.

The restoration process involves re-profiling land, re-vegetating, and re-wetting peatlands.

Technology, including GIS and AI, is enhancing restoration efforts and monitoring.

Corporate partnerships, like the one with Diageo, are vital for funding restoration projects.

Landowners can benefit from restoration through improved biodiversity and potential carbon credits.

Public support for peatland restoration is high, with over 75% in favour.

Modelling carbon output and benefits is essential for project success.

Engagement and education about peatlands are important for public understanding.

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