Powering Sustainable Ideas

As geopolitical tensions in the Middle East raise the prospect of a more prolonged energy shock, how should investors think about the implications for inflation, consumer behavior, and markets? Global Head of Commodity Strategy Helima Croft, Chief Economist Frances Donald, and Head of U.S. Equity Strategy Lori Calvasina discuss what a disruption in oil supply could mean for the macro outlook — and why the longer‑term picture may be more resilient than headlines suggest.

As electricity demand surges, geopolitical risks increase, and the physical impacts of climate change escalate, how are investors responding? In this episode, RBC Capital Markets' Global Head of Sustainable Finance Sarah Thompson reflects on the outlook for the market in the light of new global realities, in discussion with Moses Choi, Head of U.S. Sustainable Finance, and Stefano Vitali, Head of Europe and Asia Pacific Sustainable Finance.

The industry is going all-out to put new energy on the grid. The spike in projected demand will boost every type of generation. But how will renewables fare amid connection constraints and policy changes? In this episode of Powering Sustainable Ideas, analyst Chris Dendrinos offers some insight from his new analysis of the clean energy outlook for 2026 and beyond.

IMI has notched up an enviable three-year growth record. Now the engineering group is raising the bar, setting itself higher margin targets. In this episode of Powering Sustainable Ideas, CFO Luke Grant sets out the strategy behind this run of success, in a conversation recorded at RBC Capital Market’s 2026 UK Focus Conference with Mark Fielding, Head, European Capital Goods Research.

Is now the right time to jump into carbon removals? Moderated by Brian Hong, Director of Environmental Market Solutions at RBC Capital Markets, this episode features Dr. Eddie Halfyard (CarbonRun), Charlie Renzoni (Deep Sky), Kate Rodger (Isometric), and Bill Shmygol (Evok Innovations) discussing the carbon removal market's shift from early adopters to mainstream corporate buyers.

As rocketing demand growth collides with real supply constraints, how can energy, power, and mining players fund and deliver the large-scale projects required? Joining Trevor Gardner, Head of Investment Banking Coverage, to survey the sectors’ outlook for 2026 are Chris Redgate, Head of Canadian Energy Investment Banking; Craig Edgar, Managing Director, Power Utilities and Infrastructure; and Farid Dadashev, Global Co-Head of Mining and Metals.

What does it take to turn a climate tech start-up into a fully-fledged, profitable business? For RBC Capital Markets’ Climate Week CEO summit, four leaders discussed their companies’ journeys. As they set out to transform their diverse sectors – carbon capture, waste management, geothermal energy, and electricity transmission – each grapples with the hard realities of capital-raising and commercialization.

At the RBC Energy Transition Conference 2025, Paul Betts, Co-Head of European M&A at RBC Capital Markets, moderates a panel on Europe's battery value chain, EV targets, and market repositioning.

At the RBC Energy Transition Conference 2025, Paul Betts, Co-Head of European M&A at RBC Capital Markets, moderates a panel on Europe's battery value chain, EV targets, and market repositioning.

At the RBC Energy Transition Conference 2025, Alex Thomas, Managing Director, Investment Banking at RBC, leads a panel exploring AI-driven energy demand, power delivery challenges, and the innovations shaping digital infrastructure.

At the RBC Energy Transition Conference 2025, Biraj Borkhataria, Global Head of Energy Transition Research at RBC, moderates a panel on energy security, reliability, and affordability.

While some point to culture wars and range anxiety, the real story behind the electric vehicle (EV) slowdown may lie in the used car market. Tom Narayan, Lead Equity Analyst for Global Autos at RBC Capital Markets, reveals how a surprising pricing dynamic is reshaping consumer behavior and forcing a revised outlook for EV adoption over the medium term.

While nuclear energy has long been recognized for its potential to deliver clean and reliable power, its adoption has faced challenges. Ontario is addressing these hurdles through refurbishment programs and a strong local supply chain. In this episode, RBC's Sabahat Khan, Industrials Analyst, moderates a panel discussion with Aaron Johnson (SVP, Nuclear at Aecon), James Scongnack (COO, Bruce Power), and Theresa Dekker (VP, Nuclear Growth & Sustainability at Ontario Power Generation) that explores Ontario’s leadership in nuclear energy, the future of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), and the funding models and collaborative frameworks driving the industry forward.

While carbon capture has long promised to transform industrial emissions, deployment has been hampered by cost and scalability challenges. Svante aims to change that with its solid sorbent technology and ambitious manufacturing plans. CEO Claude Letourneau discusses the company's strategy to capture 15 million tons of CO2 by 2030 with RBC's Rob Nicholson, Managing Director and Head of the Canadian Power Utility and Infrastructure Group, in this episode of RBC Capital Markets' Powering Sustainable Ideas podcast.

Natural gas markets are experiencing structural shifts as demand from power generation and data centers creates new growth opportunities. Industry leaders are adapting their capital strategies to capitalize on these trends while managing financial complexity. CFO Jeremy Knop shares insight on EQT Corporation’s transformation, the company's innovative $3.5 billion midstream joint venture with Blackstone and how integrated business models are transforming investment strategies in the natural gas sector.www.eqt.comJeremy Knop BioEQT Announces $3.5Billion Midstream Joint Venture with Blackstone Credit & Insurance

With over a century of power generation behind it, TransAlta Corporation is redefining its legacy for the energy transition era. The Canadian utility has cut its emissions dramatically while positioning for AI-driven demand growth and grid reliability challenges. CEO John Kousinioris explains how the company is balancing decarbonization with reliability, pursuing data center co-location opportunities, and navigating policy uncertainty in this episode of RBC Capital Markets' Powering Sustainable Ideas podcast.

Amid soaring electricity demand and the imperative for decarbonization, energy companies are also being expected to deliver reliable and affordable supplies. Emera has both goals in hand, according to Scott Balfour, CEO and President of the Canada-based utilities provider. In this episode of RBC Capital Markets’ Powering Sustainable Ideas podcast, he sets out Emera’s strategic vision and recent milestones on the path to sustainable growth.

What happens when you design a carbon removal business around the needs of real industries and real customers – rather than new tech? CO280’s Natalie Khtikian and Jon Rhone explain how their project development approach is transforming pulp and paper mills into high-quality, high-volume CDR hubs. Speaking with Jonathan Sisto, Managing Director at RBC Capital Markets, they share why unlocking private capital, not just public support, is central to their model – and to the future of CDR.

Despite political headwinds, targeted climate transition investments continue to show resilience while broader sustainable equity funds face challenges. Meanwhile, energy security concerns are reshaping exclusion policies and nuclear power is gaining acceptance. Sara Mahaffy, Head of Global Sustainability Strategy Research at RBC Capital Markets, explains the evolving investment landscape and identifies where opportunities might emerge in the future.

How does a traditional oil and gas producer position itself to be simultaneously a leader in carbon capture and storage technology? In this episode of RBC Capital Markets’ Powering Sustainable Ideas podcast – CFO Clio Crespy explains how California Resources Corporation aims to do just that. CRC has gained the go-ahead for the first project of its CCS business, but what does that mean for its finances?

Australia's energy landscape is experiencing a transformation as unconventional gas development moves from exploration to commercial production. How are pioneering companies adapting proven U.S. shale technologies while meeting stringent net zero requirements? In this episode, Joel Riddle, CEO of Tamboran Resources, discusses the company's integrated strategy for developing the Beetaloo Basin, strategic partnerships with U.S. service providers, and innovative approaches to low-carbon gas development in Australia and the Asia Pacific region.Tamboran Resources - https://www.tamboran.com/ Joel Riddle Bio - https://www.tamboran.com/team/mr-joel-riddle/

At RBC’s 2024 Carbon Conference, Sarah Thompson, Global Head of Sustainable Finance at RBC Capital Markets, sat down with Lee Hodgkinson, Head of Sustainability and Technical Services, Dream, and Maxime Cossette, SVP, Kruger, to discuss their roles in the net zero community, Zibi.

At RBC’s Carbon Markets Conference in partnership with ClearBlue Markets, Sarah Thompson, Global Head of Sustainable Finance at RBC Capital Markets, sat down with Deep Sky’s Chief Carbon Scientist, Phil De Luna, to discuss the role of carbon capture and removal in meeting the climate challenge.

Investors and corporates continue to advance their sustainability strategies despite an increasingly complex and dynamic macroeconomic, geopolitical and policy landscape. What are some of the key challenges and opportunities they will face in the year ahead? In this episode of RBC Capital Markets’ Powering Sustainable Ideas, Global Head of Sustainable Finance Sarah Thompson discusses the themes shaping the market with U.S. and Europe Heads, Moses Choi and Stefano Vitali. To learn more, read the full report here: https://www.rbccm.com/en/story/story.page?dcr=templatedata/article/story/data/2024/12/sfg-themes-2025

Inefficiencies in carbon capture technologies and historically challenging economics have so far hampered their widespread adoption. ION Clean Energy aims to change that with big ambitions for its proprietary tech and is forging alliances to make it happen. CEO Tim Vail explains the company’s vision to RBC's Jonathan Sisto, Managing Director, Energy Transition Investment Banking, in this episode Powering Sustainable Ideas.

The global energy transition may be buffeted by political winds, but its progress is unstoppable. With new data revealing investment soared past $2 trillion in 2024, how can innovative companies position themselves for a piece of the pie this year? Ralph Ibendahl, Global Head of Energy Transition Banking, offers his latest insights on the next stage of energy transition in conversation with Trevor Gardner, Head of Global Banking Coverage.

At the recent Energy Disruptors UNITE Summit, Damien Steel, CEO of Deep Sky, spoke about the promise of carbon removal technology, and why he believes Canada can become the global epicenter of the carbon removal industry. Click here to read more: https://www.rbccm.com/en/insights/powering-sustainable-ideas.page

Canada has set ambitious net zero goals in the years leading up to 2050. Nuclear powerproduces no carbon emissions and provides reliable, low-cost energy, making it animportant part of the energy mix that will lead to a more sustainable future.Learn more: RBC Capital Markets | Powering Sustainable Ideas

While artificial intelligence is poised to change many aspects of our lives, it will also require an enormous amount of energy. How will we balance the demands of decarbonization, affordability, and reliability while meeting these increased energy needs?Learn more: RBC Capital Markets | Powering Sustainable Ideas

Since 2020, a host of carbon reduction companies have emerged to supportnet zero efforts. Their challenge is not only to prove their technologies areeffective, but to achieve enough scale to make themselves price-competitive. Inthis episode of RBC Capital Markets’ Powering Sustainable Ideas podcast, hostBrian Hong meets CarbonRun: a river deacidification company that believes itcan crack the market.

At RBC’s Battery Value Chain Conference, Tom Narayan, Global Autos and Auto Parts Analyst, hosts a group of industry experts to discuss the evolution of battery technologies and chemistries.

Players in the UK electric vehicle charging space discuss the evolution of the charging network and prospects for the market at RBC's Battery Conference.

In a conversation with RBC Capital Markets’ Erwan Kerouredan, Jonathan Counsell, Head of Sustainability at IAG, explains why he believes sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is the only way for the airline industry to meet its climate goals.

Can the energy transition keep up with soaring demand? Capital Power and its leadership aim to help ensure it can. In this episode, President and CEO Avik Dey explains how Capital Power is investing in 'powering change by changing power', how its capital allocation framework is reliable and affordable, and how clean energy is accelerating the decarbonization agenda.

Emera, a diversified energy company headquartered in Nova Scotia, Canada who's business includes a portfolio of high quality utilities, is accelerating plans to replace coal-fired generation, deploying different energy strategies in its two core regions. CFO Greg Blunden joins the podcast to talk about Emera's sustainability priorities, including its capital and funding plans, as it charts the utility’s decarbonization journey.

Gas requirements are growing, but there's no gas without compression. Archrock, a 70 year old energy infrastructure company, provides these compression services to the energy industry. In this episode, President and CEO Brad Childers discusses the role of natural gas in the energy transition and explains how Archrock is investing in innovation to help reduce emissions across the oil and gas industry.

In a panel hosted by Ed Golder, Head of European Utilities & Renewables at RBC Capital Markets, experts including Hanns Koenig, Managing Director of Aurora Energy Research; Marcel Münch, SVP Finance, M&A and Investor Relations at EnBW; Dr. Frank Reiners, Chief Financial Officer at OGE (‘Open Grid’); and Marco Bartolini, Chief Financial Officer at Zhero, discussed Germany's energy transition towards Net Zero.

In a discussion on Germany’s decarbonisation opportunities & challenges moderated by Ralph Ibendahl, Head, EMEA Transition, RBC Capital Markets a panel of experts including Michael Pfennig, Co-Head Infrastructure, Allianz Capital Partners; Catrin Jung, Head of offshore Wind, Vattenfall; Pierre Alan Graf, CEO, GETEC; and Alexander Aksenov, EVP Strategy & Corporate Development, Uniper, agreed that the country’s potential is vast and much progress has been made in decarbonising power generation, but challenges abound to accelerate efforts, from lack of political unity to the high costs involved.

In a discussion on Germany’s energy’s transition related to investing in emerging energy transition technologies and moderated by Andrea Gerhaüsser, Director, Investment Banking, RBC Capital Markets, a panel of experts including Felix Colsman, CEO, DAH Gruppe; Daniel Saxena, CFO, SFC Energy AG; and Thomas Kalthoefer, Investment Director, DWS, discussed the potential of new technologies such as hydrogen to speed up decarbonisation.

In a keynote address during RBC Capital Markets' recent Energy Transition series focusing on Germany, Kunal Chandra, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer at RWE, provided a critical assessment of Germany's energy transition. He discussed its feasibility, challenges, and the prospects of the country's ambitious journey towards decarbonization and energy sustainability.

In this, the twelve episode of the Energy Transition series, Tom Narayan, Autos Analyst at RBC Capital markets hosts a discussion with included Nakul Duggal, Sr. Vice President and General Manager, Automotive for Qualcomm Technologies; Richard Tame, VP of Finance at Aurora; and Tom Fennimore, CFO at Luminar Technologies. On the future of vehicle automation and the hugely transformational opportunities for user experience and safety.

How can electricity grids adapt to become more dynamic as we move to increased renewables penetration as part of the energy transition?

Digitalization has the potential to transform the oil & gas industry, from streamlining processes to enhancing operational performance and safety. As the industry contends with the challenges of the energy transition, businesses must become leaner, more efficient and less carbon intensive. Technology can help address all these aspects, whether it be real-time wellhead data, methane leak detection or even virtual platform design for new projects. In order to delve deeper into the subject, we will discuss how Digital tools including AI and machine learning can help all areas of the business. We will also talk through how these tools have impacted the energy transition so far and what could happen in the coming years.

There are few industries that have seen its financial results as directly impacted by climate related losses as the insurance industry in recent years. The industry is a key stakeholder in the transition; Insurers are already contributing significantly to the transition to a low-carbon economy. On the liabilities side, more insurers are factoring climate risk into their underwriting decisions. On the asset side, many companies have investment strategies that support climate mitigation. In this podcast, we will focus on the role of insurance, the impacts of climate change and how it can support the energy transition.

What are the key obstacles to the energy transition? How dependable is renewable energy compared to old school fossil fuel energy? And what is a realistic time frame over which the energy transition process might occur? To answer this part of the energy transition equation, RBC Capital Markets invited Ezgi Barcenas, Global Vice President, Sustainability at AB InBev; Deborah Byers, EY Americas Industry Leader, at Ernst & Young LLP; and Kevin Groh, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, at Loblaw Companies Limited.

What are the opportunities and challenges for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG)? How important is legislation for adoption and will consumer demand accelerate? To discuss this key topic, RBC Capital Markets is joined by Brian Hlavinka, Director, Emerging Opportunities at Williams, Mark Nelson, EVP Downstream & Chemicals at Chevron and John Dannan, Principal at Generate Capital.

As Hydrogen looks set toplay a key role in a cleaner economy globally over time, Biraj Borkhartaria,Deputy Head of Research and John Musk, Utilities Equity Research are joined byguest speakers to discuss what sectors hydrogen is set to play a key role in,what the obstacles as well as growth opportunity are and when its likely tobecome a viable business.

What role can grids play in delivering net zero? Hosted by Anthony Ianno, Global Co-Head of Power, Utilities and Infrastructure he is joined by Nicolas Akins, CEO American Electric Power, David Hutchen CEO, Fortis and John Pettigrew, CEO, National Grid as hey discuss the opportunities for grid operators to benefit from the decarbonization trend and changing consumption patterns, existing and emerging challenges for grids and the importance of indirect greenhouse gas emissions.

To help accelerate the energy transition, focusing on the financing of the renewable developments and the increasing role of Power Purchase Agreement ('PPAs') is key. Hosted by John Musk and Fernando Garcia, they are joined by guest speakers to discuss financing of renewable assets in areas such as PPA market dynamic, structure of PPA contracts and the impact of merchant prices. During this discussion the also discuss trends in project financing and gearing levels across renewable assets.