Alexia Kelly interviews Dr. Lee Borkenhagen, SVP at Environmental Defense Fund, about her career spanning economics, NGOs and corporate sustainability. Dr. Borkenhagen traces her path from studying orangutans in Borneo to exploring how markets shape resource use, then working with WWF and earning a PhD before joining Oxfam to help launch the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil. They discuss Dr. Borkenhagen’s experience at Nike, and what it really takes to “win hearts and minds” as a sustainability professional.

Dr. Borkenhagen’s work at EDF focuses on sustainability as a driver of business value—and she shares her expert perspective on how emerging topics like CBAM, climate impacts on supply chains, innovation, methane action, and more are reasons for hope in corporate climate progress, despite political headwind.

In this episode of Navigating Net Zero, host Alexia Kelly is joined by Tisha Schuller, founder of Adamantine Energy and strategic advisor to Stanford's Natural Gas Initiative. She’s the author of four books: Accidentally Adamant (2018); The Game Changers Playbook: How Oil and Gas Leaders Thrive in an Era of Continuous Disruption (2020); Real Decarbonization: How Oil and Gas Companies Are Seizing the Low-Carbon Future; and The Myth in the Moment: From Polarization to Progress in the New Energy Landscape.

Tisha shares her journey from environmental activism to environmental leadership in the oil and gas industry, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and pragmatism in achieving net zero. They discuss the challenges of the energy transition, the polarized climate debate, and the crucial role oil and gas companies are playing and should continue to play in reducing global carbon intensity. Tisha outlines the need for engagement, innovation, and incrementalism, urging the climate community to work constructively with the oil and gas sector. This dialogue highlights the complexities and opportunities in driving forward a sustainable energy future.

In this episode of Navigating Net Zero, Alexia Kelly speaks with Dr. Britt Wray, a leading voice on climate resilience and mental health, about the emotional challenges associated with the climate crisis. Dr. Wray, author of 'Generation Dread' and director at Stanford University’s CIRCLE initiative, shares her journey and work in addressing climate anxiety. They discuss the significance of acknowledging and processing climate grief and its role in driving purposeful action. Various supportive resources, including the Good Grief Network, are highlighted for those seeking community and coping mechanisms. The conversation also touches on the integration of emotional and technical approaches in the climate movement, especially in balancing professional and personal spheres. Tune in for an engaging discussion on navigating the emotional landscape of the climate crisis and the importance of mental resilience.