Energy Transition Now Podcast Series 1

Our schedule below shows the dates and times each podcast will be available from, which you can add to your calendar. We will be announcing many more episodes being added over the coming weeks, so bookmark this page to keep up to date, or sign up with your email below to receive notifications of live podcasts or new episodes.

Series 1

In the first of Westwood’s Energy Transition Now podcasts, David Linden speaks with Sustainability Consultant, William Day.

During this episode, David and Will explore what sustainability, the energy transition and achieving ‘net zero’ really means; both for our economies as a whole and the use of fossil fuels. They then turn to what the oil and gas industry should do now to succeed in an evolving environment, and what potential legal and financial risks the industry faces if it does not act in line with the climate science and Paris agreement.

In the second episode of Westwood’s Energy Transition Now podcasts, David Linden speaks with Iman Hill, Executive Director, International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP).

During this episode, Iman raises the current misconception around the oil and gas industry, and how both sides of the story need to be told in the face of a changing energy industry. David and Iman discuss the role the IOGP and it’s members have in helping move the energy transition forward, but also the challenges and the risks the industry faces – including on greenwashing and stranded assets – especially following the publication of the IEA’s latest Net-Zero scenario.

In the third episode of Westwood’s Energy Transition Now podcasts, David Linden speaks with Julien Perez, VP Strategy & Policy from the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI).

In this episode, Julien addresses the risk of not including the oil and gas industry in the energy transition. The discussion covers a wide range of topics that the industry need to consider, including what it means to be Paris aligned, the range of options it has, as well as what the most efficient and cost-effective ways are to achieve carbon reduction (removal and mitigation). Julien also speaks about the practical actions that OGCI and its members are taking, including the targets, collaboration initiatives, and investments it is making.

In the fourth episode of Westwood’s Energy Transition Now podcasts, David Linden speaks with Jo Coleman, UK Energy Transition Manager, Shell.

During the episode, Jo provides an overview of how Shell is ‘Powering Progress’ through its energy transition strategy, including how the company is now aligned to the 1.5 degree (rather than 2 degree) target of the Paris Agreement. Jo speaks about the need to change in step with society, and the importance of collaboration and partnerships to achieving this. The conversation also turns to the nuances of the energy transition in the UK, and the activities Shell is pursuing in support of this – including the need to reduce its own emissions, as well as those of its customers through e-mobility, integrated green power, CCS and Hydrogen.

In the fifth episode of Westwood’s Energy Transition Now podcasts, David Linden speaks with Grete Tveit, SVP Low Carbon Solutions, Equinor.

In the sixth episode of Westwood’s Energy Transition Now podcasts, David Linden speaks with Clara Altobell, VP ESG and Business Innovation, Serica Energy.

During the discussion, Clara explains the importance in having an Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) lens to understand a company’s place in the Energy Transition, and the practical implications this has on corporate strategy, investment and everyday decision making. Clara also discusses some of the key issues facing Serica and oil and gas companies, including how to manage the UK’s twin goals of maximising economic recovery and achieving net-zero, and the role that carbon pricing mechanisms such as the EU / UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) play in bringing about change in the sector. She also talks about her own ESG journey and the lessons learnt along the way.

This week, Emeliana Rice-Oxley, Vice President, Exploration in Upstream Business PETRONAS joins the podcast.

Graeme Bagley, Westwood’s Global Head of Exploration & Appraisal also joins this episode, as the discussion with Emeliana leads through the future of oil and gas exploration in the light of the Energy Transition, and role of National Oil Companies (NOCs) within this. Emeliana walks us through Petronas’ three-pronged strategy of maximising cash generators, expanding its core business and stepping out (into new energies). The conversation moves onto the implications this has for the exploration community, with a continued focus on value, lower cost and faster pace, but also the emphasis on a lower carbon footprint. Emeliana then addresses the broader role of the exploration function in areas such as CCS and Geothermal and speaks to the challenge of retaining and attracting the necessary talent.

This week, Dominic Emery, Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer, bp, joins the podcast.

In this final episode of this first series, Dominic Emery discusses the key themes from bp’s recently published Statistical Review, as well as the company’s own net-zero scenario compares to that of the IEA – with the lesson this provides for rapid decarbonisation of the supply side. Dominic walks us through the evolution of bp’s strategy, which includes understanding the deep challenges, taking an optimistic disposition towards the opportunity, and defining the purpose of business. David and Dominic the discuss the rationale for the 40% reduction ion hydrocarbon production by 2030, the approach and ambitions regarding emissions reductions, the changing nature of returns vs cash flow, and then opportunities for integration across the value chain. Dominic also highlights the importance supporting ‘greening companies’ if we are to achieve the Paris goals.