The Asia Climate Finance Podcast

Hosted by Joseph Jacobelli

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Jun 2026

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The podcast is a journey into the multifaceted world of climate business and finance trends in Asia. Featuring experienced experts and hosted by author, analyst, and investor Joseph Jacobelli, the non-profit podcast, delves into the latest trends and challenges, empowering listeners to navigate Asia’s ever-evolving sustainability and decarbonisation landscape.

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June 9, 2026Episode 8637 min

Ep86 How China is Building a Global Carbon Market with Jeff Huang, AEX Holdings

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.comChina's carbon market is already the world's largest, and it's about to get far more complex. Leading market expert Jeff Huang has a front-row seat to what's coming: absolute emissions caps replacing the old intensity targets, carbon auctioning arriving in steel, cement and aluminium, and Hong Kong quietly positioning itself as the trading hub that connects all of it to global markets. If you're watching how carbon pricing shapes capital flows and CBAM compliance, this episode is worth your time.Reference: AEX Holdings. Op-ed sample - Beyond critical mass (China Daily, 16 January 2026)ABOUT JEFF: Jeff Huang is founder & CEO of AEX Markets based in Hong Kong. He is former Managing Director Greater China of the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), VP Asia for Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), and was appointed Chief Advisor for Chongqing Gas Exchange. He’s also founder of AsiaREC Limited, a non-profit carbon standard in Hong Kong. Jeff has more than 10 years of experience in cross-border M&A, Joint Ventures and futures markets in the United States, covering spaces including exchanges, futures companies, financial software infrastructure, etc. Prominent deals he has led include the creation of the Tianjin Climate Exchange (a joint venture between CCX and CNPC/PetroChina), forming a JV for futures brokerage between Citic and Calyon (SocGen) and a fintech acquisition for SunGard.Recommendation: The Great Game by Peter Hopkirk: A gripping historical account of the 19th-century imperial rivalry between the British and Russian empires as they vied for supremacy in Central Asia.HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep76 onward excerpts from Vivaldi’s La Follia, played by Luca Jacobelli.

May 27, 2026Episode 8526 min

Ep85 Sustainable Aviation Fuel’s Supply Chain Gap with Tan Chong Yee, Flyoro

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.comIn this episode, Tan Chong Yee, Chief Financial Officer of FlyORO Technologies, joins us to unpack the critical logistics and funding mechanisms needed to scale sustainable aviation fuel across the Asia-Pacific region. We explore how innovative distributed blending infrastructure solves last-mile supply chain bottlenecks and helps bend the jet fuel cost curve. Climate finance and business professionals will gain valuable insights into derisking capital execution, navigating fragmented regional policies, and structuring bankable corporate offtake agreements. Tune in to discover how the aviation industry is transforming high-risk climate bets into essential, scalable energy infrastructure. Ref: FlyORO Technologies Pte LtdABOUT CHONG YEE: Tan Chong Yee is the Chief Financial Officer at FlyORO Technologies, bringing over 15 years of corporate finance and leadership experience to high-growth environments. He has a track record of rolling up his sleeves across fundraising, financial planning, and operational scaling, using data to drive real decisions rather than just reports. Chong Yee holds a BEng in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and an MSc in Technopreneurship and Innovation, both from NTU. He is also a Six Sigma Green Belt certified by ASME and an Associate Chartered Valuer and Appraiser under IVAS.RECOMENDATIONSMaking Net-Zero Aviation Possible: A McKinsey & Company report that analyses the nature, timing, cost, and commercial scale of actions required to deliver net-zero emissions within the global aviation sector by 2050.The SAF Roadmap: A World Economic Forum and McKinsey & Company publication that outlines cross-sector frameworks and investment pathways needed to break the commercial impasse and scale sustainable aviation fuel adoption by 2030.HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep76 onward excerpts from Vivaldi’s La Follia, played by Luca Jacobelli.

May 14, 2026Episode 8432 min

Ep84 The Hidden Giant: Slashing Cooling Energy by 70% with Sam Ringwaldt, Conry Tech

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.comCooling is responsible for 15 per cent of global emissions and uses nearly two thirds of the electricity in commercial buildings. In this episode, Sam Ringwaldt from Conry Tech explains how modular micro units can cut cooling energy by 70 per cent and increase asset valuations by 18 per cent. We explore the rise of Comfort as a Service, the next generation of deep‑tech retrofits, and what this means for commercial buildings and AI data centres across the Asia Pacific region. It is a clear and practical look at why energy efficiency is becoming a financial strategy for the climate sector rather than simply an engineering decision.REF: Conry Tech, ABOUT SAM: Sam Ringwaldt is a Founder and the CEO of Conry Tech. Sam is an experienced industry leader, with 20 years of experience in building up HVAC companies, growing teams, and promoting new HVAC technologies worldwide. Sam was responsible for introducing Turbocor Technology into the North American and Australasian markets, driving its growth till it became today’s dominant HVAC technology, and was able to lead both governments and the private sector to embrace the new technology, adjusting building standards, and driving new frontiers of sustainability and energy efficiency.HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep76 onward excerpts from Vivaldi’s La Follia, played by Luca Jacobelli.

April 30, 2026Episode 8337 min

Ep83 Is ESG a Western Trend? Navigating Sustainability in Asia with Nana Li

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.comOur guest is Nana Li, a stewardship expert who's just written a handbook on navigating sustainability across Asia Pacific. She walks us through why the money decisions happening in Asia actually shape global sustainability, not the other way around.We explore how China's state-led approach and Japan's demographic crisis are forcing real innovation in automation and energy transition. You'll get insights into why "guanxi" and energy security matter more than most Western playbooks suggest.If you're working, or are interested, in Asia's climate finance space, there's genuine value here. We clear up the confusion between ESG risk management and impact investing, and why that distinction actually matters when economic growth is the priority. It's a practical and grounded conversation.REF: Navigating Sustainability in Asia: A Practical Guide for Leaders and InvestorsABOUT NANA: Nana Li, CFA, is a sustainability and stewardship specialist focused on Asia-Pacific. She advises investors, companies and policymakers on governance, climate and transition strategies, and is an active contributor to global policy and standard-setting initiatives. Nana is a frequent speaker at international conferences and industry forums organised by financial institutions, multilateral organisations and market bodies, and she is regularly invited to contribute to discussions on corporate governance, stewardship and sustainability. In 2024, Nana co-authored Unlocking Corporate Success by the Power of Diversity, the first book to examine gender diversity in Japan from an investor perspective. She is also the author of Navigating Sustainability in Asia: A Practical Guide for Corporate Leaders and Investors, which provides an applied and region-specific perspective on sustainability, governance and stewardship across Asia-Pacific. In 2025, Nana was awarded the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) Excellence in Stewardship Award (the first Asian recipient), recognising her leadership and contributions to stewardship and policy advocacy in Asia.HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep76 onward excerpts from Vivaldi’s La Follia, played by Luca Jacobelli.

April 15, 2026Episode 8244 min

Ep82 China’s Rise as a Global Clean Tech Powerhouse with Dr Christine Loh, HKUST

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.comChina has emerged as the global clean tech leader through a national mandate for ecological progress and massive investments in solar, wind, and battery technology. Policy expert Christine Loh joins the show to explore China's transition away from coal and Hong Kong’s ambitious push for carbon neutrality by 2050. Listeners will gain vital insights into the future of green finance, including sourcing "deep green" materials like green steel and using climate science for insurance risk assessment. This episode provides an essential guide to the technical innovations and building retrofitting projects currently transforming the climate business landscape in Asia.ABOUT CHRISTINE: Professor Christine Loh, SBS, JP, OBE, Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite, is Chief Development Strategist at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. She served as Under Secretary for the Environment in the HKSAR Government, Special Consultant on the mainland’s ecological civilisation policy, and was twice a Member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council. She founded and led the think tank Civic Exchange and has long been active in public policy, establishing multiple non‑profit organisations in environment, equal opportunity, arts, culture and human rights. She sits on the boards of New Forests and Towngas Smart Energy, was Asia Society’s Scholar in Residence (2023-2025), and serves on several advisory and steering bodies. A lawyer by training and former commodities trader, she has taught in the US and published widely. She holds honorary doctorates from the University of Hull and the University of Exeter.HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep76 onward excerpts from Vivaldi’s La Follia, played by Luca Jacobelli.

March 18, 2026Episode 8134 min

Ep81 A Roadmap for Financing Clean Energy in Southeast Asia with Dinita Setywati and Alnie Demoral, Ember

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.comASEAN requires a staggering $280 billion annually to meet its clean energy targets, placing the mobilisation of global capital at the heart of the regional agenda. In this episode, Dinita Setywati and Alnie Demoral, two experts from the energy think tank Ember explain why a modernised power grid is the essential backbone for Southeast Asia’s green transition. You will learn how to de-risk renewable energy projects and evaluate competing financing models from China, Japan, and the US. Discover how better regional coordination and multidisciplinary education can bridge the investment gap to secure Asia’s climate economy.ABOUT DINITA AND ALNIE: Dr Dinita Setyawati analyses electricity policy across Southeast Asia and promotes the use of clean power in electricity, transportation and industrial sectors. She holds a PhD in Global Environmental Study from Kyoto University of Japan, and a Master’s in Southeast Asian Studies from SOAS, University of London. She is often consulted and has published on topics related to energy justice and sustainable development. She is an author of peer-reviewed publications and a book including State-of-the-Art Indonesia Energy Transition.Alnie Demoral is experienced in energy modeling and policy assessment. She has worked with various national and regional organizations across the Philippines and Southeast Asia to advance sustainable energy development and strengthen energy security through modeling and data-driven analysis. Her work focuses on identifying policy gaps and providing evidence-based recommendations to address them. She holds a Master of Science in Energy Engineering and is currently pursuing her PhD in the same field at the University of the Philippines.RECOMMENDATIONS:From AI to emissions: Aligning ASEAN’s digital growth with energy transition goals. A report by Ember on how AI can support power system operation and renewables integration.Sexy Killers. An Indonesian documentary examining the environmental, social, and political impacts of coal mining and coal power investment in Indonesia [Note YouTube erroneously flags the documentary as having inappropriate content].Dr Dinita Setyawati, State-of-the-Art Indonesia Energy Transition: Empirical Analysis of Energy Programs Acceptance (Springer 2023). A book on Indonesia’s energy and societal transition.Trump & Iran: Strategy or Instability? - Inside America. A TRT World documentary exploring recent US–Iran tensions and their geopolitical implications.Bitter Rivals: Iran and Saudi Arabia, Part One – FRONTLINE. A Frontline PBS documentary series on the history and evolution of US–Iran relations, providing context for current conflicts.[Not available in all countries] HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep76 onward excerpts from Vivaldi’s La Follia, played by Luca Jacobelli.

March 10, 2026Episode 8038 min

Ep80 Fixed Income: Influencing Global Climate Action with Jo Richardson, Anthropocene Fixed Income Institute

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.comJo Richardson, head of research at the Anthropocene Fixed Income Institute, explains why the global debt market holds more power over climate transition than the stock market. Of the world’s 100 largest emitters are responsible for 75% of all emissions, but only 30 are listed on the stock market, yet all have debt outstanding. This reality gives fixed income investors unique influence over governments and private companies through the cost of capital.This episode investigates the surge in Catastrophe Bonds and Insurance Linked Securities. These niche instruments areveal what the market actually thinks about physical climate risk. Jo discusses why historical, backward-looking insurance models are failing to account for our current reality and why we are on the brink of an unprecedented financial regime shift.Using real-world examples from California wildfires to World Bank programs in Jamaica and the Philippines, the discussion highlights how pricing tail risk can incentivise adaptation and resilience. Discover why the bond market is the front line for pricing the future of the climate economy.ABOUT JO: Josephine Richardson is the Head of Research at the Anthropocene Fixed Income Institute (AFII). Based in London, Jo leads the development of AFII’s research, which supports fixed income investors in aligning their portfolios to climate and sustainability goals. Jo joined AFII from JPMorgan where she worked for 18 years in fixed income markets. She has extensive experience trading structured, flow and index credit products, and in the modelling and valuation of derivatives. Jo has an MA Hons Mathematics & Management Studies from Trinity College Cambridge and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Management Accountants. She serves as trustee and advisor to a number of charities and social enterprises in the UK.RECOMMENDATIONS: The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power: Jo recommends this 850-page, Pulitzer Prize-winning history of the oil and gas industry. It tracks the sector from its discovery in Pennsylvania in 1859 and provides essential context for understanding the role fossil fuels have played in global history.Wild London: A documentary by Sir David Attenborough that showcases the ecosystems existing within the London area.Tree Amble: A podcast focused on the ancient trees of Epping Forest, which Jo suggests as a way for individuals to connect with and appreciate local nature.What the Catastrophe Bond Market Could Be Telling Us About Climate Risk: Joseph Jacobelli recommends Jo’s own report, which provides a deep dive into how "cat bonds" act as a tool for pricing the future of the climate economy.HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep76 onward excerpts from Vivaldi’s La Follia, played by Luca Jacobelli.

February 17, 2026Episode 7935 min

Ep79 AI Scrutiny and the Future of Sustainable Impact with Greg Elders, Canbury Insights

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.comHow is AI turning climate reporting from a tick‑box task into something useful? Greg Elders from Canbury Insights explains why financial materiality sits back at the heart of climate strategy. He shows how this shift affects investors, regulators and companies.We examine Europe pushing for real sustainable impact under CSRD, the US facing ESG uncertainty and mixed signals from regulators, and Asian firms juggling ISSB and TCFD standards while dealing with regional economic pressures.Greg sets out how large language models read annual reports, proxy statements and local media. They link business growth to physical climate risks such as water scarcity. The result is faster insight and sharper scrutiny.We discuss targeted stewardship, greenwashing risks and the future of global reporting frameworks. Greg also explains why a single global standard remains a “crazy dream”. Automated scrutiny is already changing corporate behaviour, and the pace is only accelerating.ABOUT GREG: Gregory Elders is Director, North America, at Canbury Insights. He is a recognised sustainable investing expert, leading Canbury’s North American operations and client engagements. He advises investors and companies in navigating evolving sustainability and stewardship expectations, building robust assessment and reporting systems, and aligning sustainability strategies with financial performance.HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep76 onward excerpts from Vivaldi’s La Follia, played by Luca Jacobelli.

February 3, 2026Episode 7835 min

Ep78 How Solar Forecasting Reduces Risk for Investors with Harsh Goenka, Solargis

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.comUnlock the secrets of solar bankability in this episode with Harsh Goenka from Solargis, a leading solar data and software provider. We explore how high-quality satellite data and AI-driven forecasting reduce investment risk and manage weather variability. Discover how precise resource assessment helps grid operators transition from coal to reliable, base-load renewable energy by optimising battery storage. Learn why accurate solar data is the essential "fuel" for scaling climate finance and navigating extreme weather risks like hailstorms in emerging markets.ABOUT HARSH: Harsh Goenka is the Regional Sales Director for Europe and APAC at Solargis. An engineer by training, Harsh brings over a decade of expertise in the renewable energy sector, specialising in bridging the gap between technical solar engineering and financial risk assessment. Prior to his current leadership role, he was instrumental in mentoring commercial teams and forging strategic partnerships with major institutional investors and IPPs globally. He remains committed to advancing data-driven decision-making to accelerate the global transition to clean energy.HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep76 onward excerpts from Vivaldi’s La Follia, played by Luca Jacobelli.

January 20, 2026Episode 7746 min

Ep77 Asia’s Energy Transition Outlook: Moving Faster Than the Policy Makers with Mike Thomas, The Lantau Group

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.comHost Joseph Jacobelli welcomes Mike Thomas, leading energy economist and founder of The Lantau Group (TLG), for their annual review and 2026 outlook. Mike argues that we have reached a historic tipping point where solar-plus-battery hybrids are now cost-competitive with traditional gas and coal, often without requiring a premium for base-load-style power.The conversation dives deep into the "strategic pivot" in China that has led to a global battery fire sale, the surge in data centre demand in hubs like Johor, and the counter-intuitive risks posed by government-run green energy auctions. Mike also highlights why Malaysia is currently the region's most "ready" market and explores the legal and regulatory "software bugs", such as "intertemporal equity", that must be fixed to allow the physical energy transition to keep pace with technological reality.LINKS: Research From TLG.ABOUT MIKE: Founding partner at The Lantau Group with over 30 years of consulting experience, focussing on the energy sector. He advises a wide range of energy sector stakeholders on strategic, regulatory, and competition matters; sustainability; market design and development; and commercial transactions. Prior to co-founding in 2010, he headed the Asia Pacific Energy & Environment practice of a global consulting firm. Mike has an MPP from Harvard Kennedy School, and a BA in Economics from Carleton College. Within the Asia Pacific region, he has led many significant engagements involving the robust application of economics and analytics to a wide variety of business, policy, and regulatory challenges affecting the electricity and gas sectors. He works extensively with multinationals on sustainability strategies, focussing on the best options in different markets, and on the regulatory and policy changes needed to support increasing renewable energy contracting options.HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli | MUSIC: Ep76 onward excerpts from Vivaldi’s La Follia, played by Luca Jacobelli.