What do electric vehicles, wind turbines, smartphones, and satellites all have in common?

They rely on a complex, often invisible web of elements – rare earths and critical minerals – pulled from the ground, refined across borders, and essential to our transition to a net-zero carbon future.

But here’s the catch – the term “critical” isn’t as clear-cut as it sounds. It depends on who you ask, where you’re standing, and what you need.

In this episode, we dig deep into the world of critical minerals:

• What makes a mineral critical?
• Who decides?
• And just how secure are the global supply chains we’re relying on to power a cleaner world?

We’re joined by Gavin Mudd, Director of the Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre at the British Geological Survey – a leading voice in the field, and someone who’s been tracking the geology, the politics, and the pressure points for decades.

This is more than a conversation about rocks – it’s about geopolitics, sustainability, and the race for resources in the 21st century.

Things mentioned in the episode:

Gavin’s LinkedIn page: LinkedIn

Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre: CMIC Website

British Geological Survey: BGS Website

Interactive periodic table: Periodic Table - Ptable - Properties - State at - °C

Website: https://www.hut22.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-couling/

Music credits:
March of the Bold by Balloon Planet (via Artlist.io)
Check out their stuff here: https://soundcloud.com/balloon-planet

In this episode, I'm joined by the incredible Brian Eversham, CEO of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire WIldlife Trust and absolute nature guru!

We discuss the critical state of nature in the UK in the context of being one of the most nature depleted places on the planet. We talk about the specific impacts of climate change and how agriculture is a major factor in wildlife decline but could also be a big part of saving it, and Brian tells me about the incredible work the Trust is doing, from the Great Fens project to the reintroduction of beavers.

This episode is packed full of eye-opening information and fascinating insights from a naturalist with more experience than you could shake a native stick at. You don't want to miss it!

Website: https://www.hut22.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-couling/

Music credits:
March of the Bold by Balloon Planet (via Artlist.io)
Check out their stuff here: https://soundcloud.com/balloon-planet

The rise of Artificial Intelligence is changing our world, but at what cost? AI searches consume significantly more energy than standard online queries, and the data centres powering this revolution are transforming into the heavy industry of our age. But how do these energy-hungry giants impact our planet and communities?

In this episode, we talk to Anna Dowson, Senior Director of Sustainability at Greenscale, to pull back the curtain on data centres. We explore their critical role in our digital lives and the sustainability challenges they face. Discover how AI is reshaping data centre design, the drive for greater energy efficiency, and the potential for these facilities to positively contribute to local communities and energy grids.

We'll also tackle the big questions: Can renewable energy sources and innovations like liquid cooling provide a sustainable path forward? And with the increasing demand for data, can we overcome the power constraints that threaten to slow development? Join us for an enlightening discussion on the surprising intersection of AI, energy, and the future of our digital infrastructure.

Things mentioned in the show:

Jargon: we tried to clarify jargon as we went, but if you want to understand more, there's a great glossary of data centre terms here.

Anna Dowson: Find out more about our guest here.

Greenscale: A new player in the data centre market but one that's looking to do things differently it seems. Check them out here.

Carbon Clarity #10: The conversation with Nigel Banks of Octopus Energy around electricity grid capacity is certainly relevant. Check it out here.

EU Energy Efficiency Directive: The recast of the directive in 2022 put a much sharper focus on data centres - read more at this useful blog.

Corporate PPAs: Find out more about the different types of PPA here - maybe it's something your company should look into?

Scientific study: This study looks at the growing energy demands of AI - find it here.

Liquid cooling: Liquid? Around all that electricity? Madness? It seems not - this useful article explains more about liquid cooling.

Website: https://www.hut22.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-couling/

Music credits:
March of the Bold by Balloon Planet (via Artlist.io)
Check out their stuff here: https://soundcloud.com/balloon-planet

In this episode, I'm joined by Nigel Banks, Technical Director at Octopus Energy; now the UK's largest energy supplier.

We get into all manner of energy and carbon related chat including how Octopus can afford to guarantee that customers on their Zero Bills tariff won't pay anything for energy for an extraordinary 10 years, why moving data centres and other energy hungry industry to where there are more renewables might benefit balance sheets as well as GHG inventories, and why upgrading the fabric in your house probably shouldn't be step 1 on your decarbonisation journey.

Things mentioned in the show:
Octopus Zero Bills: 100k Zero Bills homes by 2030 | Octopus Energy
Find out the carbon intensity of electricity in your region: Carbon Intensity

Website: https://www.hut22.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-couling/

Music credits:
March of the Bold by Balloon Planet (via Artlist.io)
Check out their stuff here: https://soundcloud.com/balloon-planet

Six months into the Carbon Clarity podcast journey and time for a recap! I'm thrilled to be joined once again by Andrew Chamberlain, MD of Elevated who takes over the question master duties for this episode where we talk about the pod so far, previous guests and the conversations with them.

We also talk about where global events leave the carbon agenda right now, how we can still react positively in a tricky political climate and the plans for the show in the coming months.

Don't forget to subscribe to the show wherever you normally get your podcasts so you never miss an episode!

Website: https://www.hut22.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-couling/

Music credits:
March of the Bold by Balloon Planet (via Artlist.io)
Check out their stuff here: https://soundcloud.com/balloon-planet

The existing buildings challenge. In this episode, I'm joined by Sam McCabe, architect and PassivHaus Designer to discuss the oft repeated fact that 80% of the buildings that will exist in 2050 have already been built and the challenge of how we align them with a Net Zero future.

We have a teensy pop at Project Managers who don't give enough time for feasibility work. And architects who still like fully glazed buildings. Oh, and agents. But only a little bit...

We also discuss the importance of comfort, the need for incremental change, and how the professional team need to support clients and help them understand the need for compromise, all in the context of existing buildings.

Don't miss this great chat - listen now!

Things mentioned in the chat:
The PassivHaus standard: PassivHaus Trust
Reusing building materials: Building Materials Exchange

Website: https://www.hut22.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-couling/

Music credits:
March of the Bold by Balloon Planet (via Artlist.io)
Check out their stuff here: https://soundcloud.com/balloon-planet

In this episode, I'm excited to be joined by Tom Wigg, Senior Advisor, Net Zero Carbon Buildings at the UK Green Building Council to talk all things NZC Buildings Standard.

If you're in any way connected to the built environment industry in the UK, you'll have no doubt heard about this new standard, created through the unprecedented collaboration of 9 professional and industry bodies and over 350 experts, it should represent a step-change in the way that we think about, and verify, the impact of buildings on the Net Zero future of the UK.

In the show, we talk about the problem the standard is trying to solve, how it was created and the key principles of how it works. We also delve into some things about the standard that some might find surprising (offsetting isn't mandatory, for instance), things that Tom would have loved to include but couldn't and how people and projects can get involved.

Post show note
Tom wanted to clarify that, although he suggested that the limits for certain sectors were unlikely to change at the end of the pilot period, that might happen if there is sufficient feedback - so, if you think something could be improved, please do engage with the process and provide the feedback, I know Tom and the wider team will welcome it!

Things mentioned in the show:
Net Zero Carbon Building Standard: Home | UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard
Submit your project to the pilot study: Pilot Testing | UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard
Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework: Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework | UKGBC
Net Zero WLC roadmap for the built environment: Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap for the Built Environment | UKGBC
UKGBC Renewable Energy Procurement guidance: Renewable Energy Procurement Part 2 | UKGBC
ISO14068 - Part 1: Climate change management — Transition to net zero: ISO 14068-1:2023 - Climate change management — Part 1: Carbon neutrality

Website: https://www.hut22.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-couling/

Music credits:
March of the Bold by Balloon Planet (via Artlist.io)
Check out their stuff here: https://soundcloud.com/balloon-planet

Risk. It's a language every business should understand but do organisations have climate risk in their lexicon?

In this episode I'm joined by founder of Bemari Consulting, Marina Bradford to talk about some of the myths that organisations fall foul of and which mean they aren't as prepared as they should be for a range of climate risks.

Find out what's meant by physical and transitional risks, how companies can avoid being overwhelmed by the issues and how to break the problem down into digestible chunks.

Things mentioned during the show:

Bemari Consulting: Bemari - Sustainability Consulting and Systems Change
Task Force on Climate-related Disclosures (TCFD) Recommendations: Recommendations | Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures
UK Flood risk maps: Check the long term flood risk for an area in England - GOV.UK
UKGBC Physical risk guidance: Measuring & Reporting Physical Risks to Built Assets | UKGBC

Website: https://www.hut22.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-couling/

Music credits:
March of the Bold by Balloon Planet (via Artlist.io)
Check out their stuff here: https://soundcloud.com/balloon-planet