What you need to know

Food giant Sodexo to axe UK suppliers who don’t reduce carbon

Why this matters Sodexo (€17B revenues / 100m meals served daily) has 500 UK suppliers that now need to decarbonise by 2030.
Your challenge Do you sell to global companies? Clients, not governments, will likely drive your Net Zero timeline. 98% of Sodexo’s emissions are in their supply chain.
Read more: Business Green

EU agrees France can use state money to refurbish its 56 nuclear power plants

Why this matters This locks in low power prices for France, especially compared to anti-nuclear Germany.
Your challenge France might have the lowest cost power in the EU long-term. Watch where you manufacture and where your competitors manufacture.
Read more: Reuters

UK’s National Infrastructure Commission rules out hydrogen for home heating

Why this matters Hydrogen has been touted as a Net Zero miracle. But it requires 4-5x the amount of electricity as other solutions.
Your challenge Don’t believe the hydrogen hype—niches only, likely heavy industry and long-distance transportation. You probably won’t use it. For space heating, it’s heat pumps.
Read more: Bloomberg, National Infrastructure Commission

One thing to worry about

(Yet) Another scandal for carbon offsets. A nice idea, but rarely reduces carbon. This study showed only 1 in 13 credits has a net benefit.

Carbon credits are unlikely to be a serious part of your Net Zero plan. If you’ve got them - buyer beware.

One thing to be optimistic about

Solar panel prices are down by 50% and installations are up by 50% - since last year. Solar PV will be the dominant energy technology of the 21st century. Expect it everywhere.

If you’ve got more time, read this…

Where will hydrogen be used? Michael Liebreich updated his go-to analysis this week. He shows where hydrogen works, and where it doesn’t (mainly due to batteries, in yellow below). This is the bible for hydrogen use.

Read: Michael Liebreich’s Hydrogen Ladder

Thanks for reading. As a reminder, for the last 14 years, I’ve been running Estover Energy (biomass CHP), in 2019 co-founded 3ti (solar/EV charging).

My new business is Beaverbrook Energy - the energy services company of the future. Follow us on LinkedIn as we build the company.