Switched On

The push toward a lower-carbon global economy ran into strong headwinds last year, and 2026 offers little sense of a clean reset. Political uncertainty, uneven policy support and slower progress in some markets continue to complicate the outlook for climate-focused investors and companies. Yet beneath the noise, the energy transition is still advancing, driven by economics, technology and long-term structural change. As global priorities and pathways diverge, what does progress really look like for the energy transition? On today’s show, BNEF’s Deputy CEO Albert Cheung reads his recent note, titled “Progress Despite Fragmentation: Energy Transition to 2030,” in which he explores how the global context has changed, and why the energy transition is set to continue growing through this decade. Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Progress Despite Fragmentation: Energy Transition to 2030 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/38367See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maritime shipping is a notoriously tricky sector to decarbonize, yet options for a greener industry are slowly emerging. Bio-LNG is helping clean up fuel tanks. New ship-building and navigational techniques, from advanced hull coatings to smarter routing, are making a dent in emissions. And new European rules are pushing ship owners toward cleaner options. Yet with a myriad of competing incentives – and no global consensus – how far can alternative fuels and efficiency gains really take maritime shipping on its long road to decarbonization? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees speaks with Fauziah Marzuki, BloombergNEF’s global head of gas, and Nikolas Soulopoulos, BNEF’s head of commercial transport. Together they discuss some of their teams’ research, including “Marine Fuel Costs to 2040 – Oil to Biofuels and Beyond” and “Global Shipping’s Net-Zero Framework Delay a Worst Option: React.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Marine Fuel Costs to 2040 - Oil to Biofuels and Beyond - https://www.bnef.com/insights/37781 Global Shipping’s Net-Zero Framework Delay a Worst Option: React - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/t4ac8igoymtc00 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK’s latest budget sends mixed consequential signals for electric vehicles. A sharp increase in purchase subsidies is paired with plans for a new pay-per-mile charge, reshaping the economics of EV ownership as adoption accelerates. The changes could affect drivers very differently, depending on mileage, charging access and whether vehicles are privately owned or part of company fleets. As fuel tax revenues fade and public charging costs stay high, the UK is testing what it means to move from encouraging EV uptake to living with electric mobility at scale. On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by Madeleine Brolly from BNEF’s EV charging team and Shananthan Kalaichelvan from BNEF’s EV team, to discuss their Analyst Reaction “UK Makes EVs Cheaper to Buy But More Expensive to Run.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: UK Makes EVs Cheaper to Buy But More Expensive to Run: React - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/t6drndt9njlw00See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global metals markets are shifting faster than anyone expected. Once projected to face widespread shortages, most key energy transition metals now show far more balanced outlooks. Surpluses are pushing battery metal prices down and accelerating the adoption of new chemistries, while demand for steel, copper and aluminum strengthens across clean energy infrastructure. Yet slow mine development, production caps, and rising geopolitical risks are creating new uncertainties. From batteries to transmission lines to electric-vehicle bodies, what do these changing metals dynamics mean for the future of the energy transition? On today’s show, Tom Rowands-Rees is joined by Kwasi Ampofo, BloombergNEF’s head of metals and mining, to discuss findings from the “Transition Metals Outlook 2025.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Transition Metals Outlook 2025 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/38151See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heavy industry faces one of the hardest paths to net zero, yet momentum is starting to build. New decarbonization commitments reached nearly $15 billion by mid-2025. The largest chunk of investment is concentrated in the steel industry, where electric arc furnaces and hydrogen-ready technologies are already pushing down emissions. Other sectors, like aluminum, cement and plastics, are experimenting with recycled materials, electrified heat and bio-based feedstocks. Policy is also proving decisive, with Europe, Australia and Asia pushing carbon border tariffs, retrofit funds and industrial carbon markets. So is heavy industry finally turning a corner on its path to decarbonization? On today’s show, Kobad Bhavnagri is joined by Allen Tom Abraham, BloombergNEF’s head of sustainable materials, to walk through his team’s note “Industrial Decarbonization Market Outlook 2H 2025.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Industrial Decarbonization Market Outlook 2H 2025 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/38051/viewSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.