What to Watch in Carbon Markets and CCUS in 2026

Rethinking Infrastructure: Decarbonization Through DurabilityHost: Alex Cameron, Founder & CEO, Decarb Connect Guest: Eric Van Genderen, Director of Environment, Health & Sustainability, International Zinc AssociationIndustrial co2 efforts tend to focus on fuels, technologies, and process change, yet a major source of avoidable emissions sits in plain sight: premature infrastructure failure. Roads, bridges, and wastewater systems that corrode decades earlier than planned lock in repeated cycles of repairs that are both carbon and capital-intensive. In this episode, we explore why durability is emerging as a critical lever in reducing lifetime emissions, and how smarter material choices can reshape the economics and carbon profile of long-life assets.Eric Van Genderen from the International Zinc Association makes the case that we're systematically miscounting the carbon cost of infrastructure by ignoring what happens when it fails early. The fix isn't new technology. Galvanised steel has been a proven solution for nearly a century. What's broken is the decision-making model where federal governments fund construction and municipalities inherit the replacement bill decades later, with no mechanism connecting upfront material choices to long-term carbon or cost outcomes.What you'll take away:Why adding 1–2% to upfront project costs can double infrastructure lifespan — and what that means for lifecycle carbon accountingThe Champlain Bridge as a case study: designed for 50 years, replaced at 30, and why its replacement is now rated for 100+A new metric worth knowing: decarbonisation potential measured in tonnes of CO₂ avoided per tonne of zinc installed Why the federal/municipal funding split is structurally blocking smarter material specificationWhere insurers fit in and why they're an emerging pressure point for longer-life assetsWhy legislation and building codes, not voluntary owner decisions, are the realistic lever for changeShow Links: Connect to Eric Van Genderen of the Zinc Association to explore their plans Find out more about zinc as an enabler of reduced embodied carbon in major projectsSuggest a podcast episode or guestConnect with Alex Cameron, Founder & CEO of Decarb Connect Learn more about Decarb ConnectOur global membership platform, events and facilitated introductions support leaders driving industrial and energy innovation. Our clients include the most energy-intensive industrials from cement, metals and mining, glass, ceramics, chemicals, O&G and many more along with technology disruptors, investors and advisors. We have summits coming up in Houston, London, Hamburg, Boston and Toronto and the opportunity to find the biggest brains in energy and carbon management - your future collaborators. For year-round introductions and meaningful insights, get in touch about your membership of the Decarbonization Leaders Network – so many benefits, hundreds of people equally focused on decarbonization – find out more and talk with Jack Figg, Community Director.   

Cemvision: Building Climate Solutions Without Subsidy Dependence Host: Alex Cameron, Founder & CEO Decarb ConnectGuest: Oscar Hållén, CEO of CemVision Oscar Hållén talks with Alex about how his Cemvision is disrupting one of the world's highest-emitting industries without relying on green premiums or subsidies. Cemvision reuses alternative chemical processes plus existing production infrastructure and circular feedstocks from steel and iron production to create a one-to-one replacement for Portland cement. This eliminates the calcination process, the primary cost and emissions driver in traditional cement production, while maintaining cost parity with incumbents from day one.Hållén argues that effective decarb requires industrial solutions that can survive policy shifts and stand on their own economic merits. He traces Cemvision's commercial partnerships with Vattenfall and Storex, explaining how trust-building, technical iteration and alignment on long-term vision enabled these collaborations. The conversation examines the current market moment, where industrial commitments to transition often outpace the politics, and explores the mental model of "creative destruction" as a forcing function for climate action rather than perpetual subsidisation of incumbent carbon-intensive processes.Key Takeaways:Design for cost parity from day one – find out how CemVision achieves price competitiveness immediately eliminating dependence on green premiums or policy supportBuild partnerships through technical iteration – explore how years of testing, trials and responsive iteration with partners like Vattenfall built the trust required to sell into a complex value chainCompeting with incumbents– listen to how the team position themselves to compete with traditional producers creating a competitive market positionCreate momentum independent of policy fluctuations  - how to find the right partners and investors in the private sector Match partnership timescales to scaling requirements - finding partners with visibility into future projects and willingness to invest early vs. those seeking immediate deploymentEpisode links: Find out about Cemvision’s work and its teamConnect with Oscar Hallen, CEO, CemvisionDownload info on Cemvision’s project with StorexConnect with Alex Cameron, Founder & CEO of Decarb ConnectLearn more about Decarb Connect: Our global membership platform, events and facilitated introductions support leaders driving industrial and energy innovation.  Our clients include the most energy-intensive industrials from cement, metals and mining, glass, ceramics, chemicals, O&G and many more along with technology disruptors, investors and advisors.  We have webinars monthly and in-person summits coming up in Houston, London, Hamburg, Boston and Toronto and the opportunity to find the biggest brains in energy and carbon management - your future collaborators.  For year-round introductions and meaningful insights, get in touch about your membership of the Decarbonization Leaders Network – so many benefits, hundreds of people equally focused on creating a resilient and profitable future for industry – find out more and talk with Jack Figg, Community Director.   

What to Watch in Carbon Markets and CCUS in 2026Host: Alex Cameron, Founder & CEO, Decarb ConnectGuests: - Peter Albin, Senior Research Analyst, Carbon Markets – Wood Mackenzie- Stephanie Chiang, Senior Research Analyst, CCUS – Wood MackenzieAfter a turbulent year for climate policy, carbon markets and CCUS, what actually changed and what matters going into 2026?In this episode, Alex Cameron is joined by Wood Mackenzie experts Peter Albin and Stephanie Chiang to unpack the real state of carbon markets and carbon capture after a year dominated by political shifts, policy delays and mixed signals. Moving beyond headlines, the discussion focuses on where momentum is holding, where it is stalling, and how companies should think about business models, pricing, and investment risk across regions.From compliance carbon pricing and offsets to CCUS hubs, cross-border projects and removals, this conversation is about separating signal from noise and understanding what is commercially viable now, not just theoretically possible.Key takeaways: ·       Why 2025 looked like backsliding, but still delivered structural progress·       Where compliance carbon pricing is expanding and where political limits are showing·       How CCUS business models are evolving, and why hubs matter more than ever·       The growing role of cross-border carbon transport and storage·       What is changing in carbon offset markets as quality and governance tighten·       Why removals will matter, but not yet at scale without further support·       How corporates are shifting from transition narratives to balance-sheet reality Show links: Read Woodmac’s what to look for in 2026 pieces across carbon policy, carbon markets and CCUSExplore Woodmac’s data and analysis platform, Lens CarbonView Stephanie and Peter’s professional profiles and researchConnect with Alex Cameron, Founder & CEO of Decarb Connect and learn more about our network, podcast and events Learn more about Decarb ConnectOur global membership platform, events and facilitated introductions suppo...

Listen in as Alex Cameron joins Bart de Groot, Sustainability Lead at Siemens Industry Software, to explore how process industries are navigating the complex landscape of decarbonization in 2025. Against a backdrop of volatile energy prices, shifting regulations, and supply chain disruptions, Bart reveals highly practical strategies companies are using to reduce emissions while maintaining profitability.From cement manufacturers exploring carbon capture to chemical companies revolutionizing how they calculate and share product carbon footprints, this conversation offers a clear-eyed view of what's actually working in industrial low carbon strategy. Bart breaks down his three-tier framework for decarb - from operational efficiency wins that pay for themselves in months, to established complementary technologies, to breakthrough process innovations that could reshape entire industries. Whether you're leading sustainability initiatives or simply curious about how heavy industry is tackling climate change, this episode delivers actionable insights and real-world examples that cut through the hype.Key Benefits for Listeners• Dig into the three-tier framework for prioritizing decarbonization investments, from quick wins to long-term transformation• Discover real examples of companies achieving 5% additional energy savings even at already-optimized facilities, with projects paying for themselves in months• Understand how AI and digital tools are enabling demand-side management and short-term energy price forecasting to reduce both costs and emissions• Gain insight into emerging collaboration models like Together for Sustainability, where 50+ major chemical companies are creating standardized approaches to Scope 3 emissions• Explore cutting-edge innovations in cement production, direct air capture, and bio-based feedstocks that could reshape carbon-intensive industries• Get practical perspective on navigating uncertainty in 2025, including how to build business cases when market conditions are volatile• Hear why combining fundamental process knowledge with modern digital tools outperforms purely data-driven approaches for continuous operationsUseful LinksConnect with Bart De Groot hereWatch our recent webinar with Siemens; ‘Optimizing Carbon Capture at Scale with Siemens gPROMS and Immaterial’s Monolithic MOFs’·       Follow Alex Cameron on LinkedIn and find how to get involved with the membership and work of Decarb Connect·       Follow Decarb Connect on LinkedIn to stay up to date with news and events·       Interested in accessing more insights? We also run a webinar series produced in collaboration with leaders in industry - Watch past and upcoming webinars here·       Join Alex and 150+ industrial leaders, innovators, investors, and policymakers in Toronto for Decarb Connect Canada (October 28-29 2025) Want to learn more about Decarb Connect? We provide insights and introductions that derisk decision-making and support industrial leaders in deploying decarbonization and low carbon product strategy. Our global membership platform, events and facilitated introductions support commercial decarb planning and business models around the world. Our clients include the most energy-intensive industrials from cement, metals and mining, glass, ceramics, chemicals, O&G and many more along with technology disruptors, investors and advisors.  If you enjoyed this conversation, find out about our portfolio of events in US, Canada, UK and Europe – or explore our Decarbonisation Leaders Network (DLN), and learn why more than 200 members from the energy-intensive sectors have joined to share insights, meet partners who can accelerate their net zero plans and why it’s the fastest growing network of its kind.  (01:06) - - The Long-Term View: Why Siemens Is Betting on Climate Action (04:35) - - The Reality Check: What Changed in 2025 (07:16) - - Tier One: Operational Efficiency with Digital Precision (12:03) - - Tier Two: Proven Technologies Meet Real-World Challenges (16:06) - - Tier Three: Breakthrough Innovations in Cement and Beyond (19:49) - - The Digital Carbon Footprint Revolution (23:39) - - Why Data-Driven Models Aren't Enough (32:28) - - Harnessing the Next Generation

In this episode, Simon Smith from Frazer-Nash Consultancy joins the Podbite series to discuss the realities of industrial decarbonization. The conversation explores the role of small modular reactors (SMRs), the opportunities and limits of existing carbon technologies, and the commercial hurdles facing heavy industry as it moves toward net zero.Simon shares both technical insights and industry perspectives from their roundtable discussion held at Decarb Connect UK in Manchester.Why Tune InHear how Frazer-Nash supports heavy industry with decarbonization assessments, emissions evaluations and technology integration strategies.Get the latest on carbon technologies: CCUS is gaining traction, hydrogen adoption faces price concerns, and direct air capture is starting to scale in the US.Explore the potential of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to integrate into industrial sites, supported by government planning reforms.Understand the commercial viability challenges: economics and lead times are the real barriers to deploying new technologies.Learn what industry leaders are saying: insights from Frazer-Nash’s roundtable on practical challenges and real-world progress.Recorded live at Decarb Connect UK Summit, March 2025.Show links: -          Connect with Simon Smith and the team at Frazer-Nash Consultancy-          Follow Melissa Chew on LinkedIn and find how to get involved with the membership and work of Decarb ConnectWant to learn more about Decarb Connect?We provide insights and introductions that derisk decision-making and support industrial leaders in deploying decarbonization and low carbon product strategy. Our global membership platform, events and facilitated introductions support commercial decarb planning and business models around the world. Our clients include the most energy-intensive industrials from cement, metals and mining, glass, ceramics, chemicals, O&G and many more along with technology disruptors, investors and advisors. If you enjoyed this conversation, find out about our portfolio of events in US, Canada, UK and Europe – or explore our Decarbonisation Leaders Network (DLN), and learn why more than 200 members from the energy-intensive sectors have joined to share insights, meet partners who can accelerate their net zero plans and why it’s the fastest growing network of its kind.     (00:00) - Introduction and background (00:43) - - How Frazer-Nash supports clients with decarbonization (01:13) - - Technology trends: carbon capture, hydrogen, and direct air capture (02:21) - - SMR roundtable discussion and government planning reforms (03:19) - - Industry interest and main concerns about SMR adoption (03:44) - - Business case challenges and carbon pricing (04:33) - - Key takeaways from Decarb Connect UK 2025 (05:05) - - Wrap up

Recorded live at the Decarb Connect UK Summit in March, this episode features guest host Tom Angus, Senior Conference Producer at Decarb Connect in conversation with Eoin Bailey, Innovation and Circular Economy Manager at 7 Steel UK. Eoin shares his journey from automotive design engineer to steel industry innovator, and unpacks how 7 Steel is embedding circular economy principles to deliver more sustainable steel solutions for the UK construction sector.*Please note: At the time of recording, 7 Steel UK was operating as Celsa Steel. Throughout the episode, you’ll hear it referred to by its former name.Highlights from the conversation:Career evolution: How Bailey’s experience analysing product lifecycles sparked his focus on applying circular economy thinking in steel production.Circular steel in action: Celsa’s use of electric arc furnaces to recycle scrap steel into new construction materials, creating a closed-loop system that links demolition directly to procurement.Overcoming systemic barriers: The challenges of moving from linear “take-make-waste” models toward circular systems that extend material value and cut environmental impact.Green premiums and market positioning: Bailey's perspective that low-carbon steel shouldn't command premium pricing when it's produced as standard practice, emphasising the importance of transparent environmental product declarationsCollaboration & policy shifts: The crucial role of industry collaboration and public sector policies in ensuring local, low-carbon steel competes with cheaper imports.Please note: this podcast was recorded at Decarb Connect UK in March 2025Show links: -          Connect with Eoin Bailey and the team at 7 Steel UK (formerly Celsa Steel) -          Follow Tom Angus on LinkedIn and find how to get involved with the membership and work of Decarb Connect-          Join the Decarb Connect Team and a network of hardtech investors and series B+ tech disruptors at Decarb TechInvest in Boston (September 2025) Want to learn more about Decarb Connect?We provide insights and introductions that derisk decision-making and support industrial leaders in deploying decarbonization and low carbon product strategy. Our global membership platform, events and facilitated introductions support commercial decarb planning and business models around the world. Our clients include the most energy-intensive industrials from cement, metals and mining, glass, ceramics, chemicals, O&G and many more along with technology disruptors, investors and advisors. If you enjoyed this conversation, find out about our portfolio of events in US, Canada, UK and Europe – or explore our Decarbonisation Leaders Network (DLN), and learn why more than 200 members from the energy-intensive sectors have joined to share insights, meet partners who can accelerate their net zero plans and why it’s the fastest growing network of its kind.   (00:05) - Introduction and Background (00:00) - Chapter 2 (01:23) - Career Journey (00:00) - Chapter 4 (01:56) - The Full Circle Moment (00:00) - Chapter 6 (03:47) - Understanding Celsa Steel's Operations (00:00) - Chapter 8 (05:36) - Linear vs. Circular Economy Models (00:00) - Chapter 10 (07:26) - Overcoming Implementation Barriers (00:00) - Chapter 12 (08:45) - Market-Driven Decarbonization and Green Premiums (00:00) - Chapter 14 (10:41) - Supply Chain Education and Collaboration (00:00) - Chapter 16 (12:11) - Summit Insights and Industry Collaboration (00:00) - Chapter 18 (13:44) - Wrap up

Welcome to Podbites - short, sharp episodes designed to give you digestible insights on industrial decarbonisation. In this episode, Tim Atkinson (Director, Sales & Trading at CFP Energy) joins guest host Melissa Chew (VP, Product at Decarb Connect) to explore why UK industrials must act now to build a resilient carbon strategy. Recorded live at Decarb Connect UK in Manchester in March, the conversation unpacks the changes underway in carbon markets and why the firefighting of the 2022 energy crisis has shifted into an era of forward-looking strategy. What You’ll HearThe paradigm shift: With the power sector slashing emissions by 74% in just a decade, industry is now in the spotlight to deliver the next wave of reductions.The rising cost of delay: Waiting until 2030 could see carbon allowance costs double - or even triple.The opportunity window: Crisis mode is over. Companies finally have space to develop long-term carbon and energy plans - but only if they move before the next market shock.The need to plan ahead: Forward hedging carbon costs when prices are favorable is becoming essential.The technology gap: Solutions like hydrogen and carbon capture are still developing, raising questions about whether carbon prices will rise high enough to justify investment. Please note: this podcast was recorded at Decarb Connect UK in March 2025* Show links: -          Connect with Tim Atkinson and the team at CFP Energy-          Follow Melissa Chew on LinkedIn and find how to get involved with the membership and work of Decarb Connect-          Join Mel and a network of hardtech investors and series B+ tech disruptors at Decarb TechInvest in Boston (September 2025) Want to learn more about Decarb Connect? We provide insights and introductions that derisk decision-making and support industrial leaders in deploying decarbonization and low carbon product strategy. Our global membership platform, events and facilitated introductions support commercial decarb planning and business models around the world. Our clients include the most energy-intensive industrials from cement, metals and mining, glass, ceramics, chemicals, O&G and many more along with technology disruptors, investors and advisors.  If you enjoyed this conversation, find out about our portfolio of events in US, Canada, UK and Europe – or explore our Decarbonisation Leaders Network (DLN), and learn why more than 200 members from the energy-intensive sectors have joined to share insights, meet partners who can accelerate their net zero plans and why it’s the fastest growing network of its kind.   (00:00) - - Introduction & Guest Background (00:00) - Chapter 2 (01:16) - - Market Uncertainty & Global Challenges (00:00) - Chapter 4 (02:44) - - The 2022 Energy Crisis Impact (00:00) - Chapter 6 (04:40) - - The Paradigm Shift - Why Now? (00:00) - Chapter 8 (06:43) - - Technology Challenges & Rising Costs (00:00) - Chapter 10 (08:09) - - Immediate Actions for Industrials (00:00) - Chapter 12 (10:33) - Wrap-up

In this episode of the Decarb Connect podcast, Alex Cameron speaks with ClimeCo’s Emily Damon (Chief Growth Officer) and David Prieto (VP of Sustainability Advisory) to explore the rise of insetting as a tool for accelerating corporate decarbonization—especially across complex value chains. Unlike carbon offsets, which involve emission reductions outside a company’s operations, insetting delivers reductions within a company’s value chain, enabling both Scope 1 and Scope 3 progress.You’ll hear how insetting fits into existing GHG accounting frameworks, why market-based accounting is gaining traction, and how buyers and sellers are structuring deals today—from bundled agreements to complex multilateral transactions. With rising consumer willingness to pay and emerging buyer alliances, insetting is positioned to become a core pillar of corporate climate strategies—if companies can navigate risk, tracking, and stakeholder scrutiny effectively. Top 5 Takeaways from the EpisodeInsetting = Value Chain DecarbonizationFind out how insetting directs investment to emissions reductions within a company’s own supply chain. Create aligned incentives and quantifiable Scope 3 benefits (unlike offsets).Accounting and Claims Require RigorGHG Protocol allows for double counting by design (e.g. supplier Scope 1 = buyer Scope 3), but firms must avoid double claiming. Listen in to ensure that emissions reductions are traceable, additional, and not sold twice!Markets Are Emerging but Still ImmatureMost current insetting deals are bespoke or bilateral. Find out how buyer alliances (e.g., SABA for aviation fuel, Clean Energy Buyers Alliance for electricity, and others forming for steel, cement, plastics) are lowering transaction costs and setting informal norms.Registries and Standards Are Still Catching UpFind out what needs to happen next – from standardizing insetting certificates to infrastructure. A call to action to share lessons learned and scale pilot transactions to full-fledged programs.Consumer and Corporate Demand Are Creating TailwindsStudies show growing consumer willingness to pay a premium for sustainable goods (especially among Gen Z and millennials). Find out how corporate Scope 3 targets and supply chain emissions visibility are creating growing demand for low-carbon inputs.Useful LinksLearn more about the ClimeCo team hereRead more in their blog post on Insetting hereConnect with Emily DamonConnect with David PrietoFollow Alex Cameron on LinkedIn and find how to get involved with the membership and work of Decarb ConnectJoin Alex and a network of hardtech investors and series B+ tech disruptors at Decarb TechInvest in Boston (September 2025) Want to learn more about Decarb Connect?We provide insights and introductions that derisk decision-making and support industrial leaders in deploying decarbonization and low carbon product strategy. Our global membership platform, events and facilitated introductions support commercial decarb planning and business models around the world. Our clients include the most energy-intensive industrials from cement, metals and mining, glass, ceramics, chemicals, O&G and many more along with technology disruptors, investors and advisors.  If you enjoyed this conversation, find out about our portfolio of events in US, Canada, UK and Europe – or explore our Decarbonisation Leaders Network (DLN), and learn why more than 200 members from the energy-intensive sectors have joined to share insights, meet partners who can accelerate their net zero plans and why it’s the fastest growing network of its kind.

In this episode of the Decarb Connect Podcast, Alexandra Cameron is joined by Garrett Boudinot, climate scientist and CEO of VyCarb, a Brooklyn-based startup pioneering a novel approach to carbon dioxide removal (CDR). VyCarb’s technology harnesses the natural carbon cycle of water to convert CO₂ into stable bicarbonate, offering a verifiable and permanent storage pathway that bypasses the geographic and infrastructure limitations of conventional geologic storage.Garrett shares how his background in ocean carbon chemistry led to the development of a modular, sensor-integrated system that operates at low CO₂ concentrations and near industrial emitters. The conversation explores how VyCarb's solution is being piloted with major industrial players like Rio Tinto and BlueScope Steel, and how the technology could support both voluntary carbon markets and direct decarbonization across sectors.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:·       How VyCarb mimics ocean chemistry to convert CO₂ into stably stored bicarbonate·       Why low-purity CO₂ streams—common across industry—are a key focus for deployment·       The limitations of geologic CO₂ storage and how VyCarb overcomes them·       How integrated sensing enables real-time verification and control of the carbon conversion process·       Practical implications for cement, steel, aluminum, and oil & gas emitters·       How existing wastewater discharge permitting can support project rollout·       Insights into VyCarb’s current pilot in Brooklyn and its industrial integration roadmap·       What scale-up looks like and why the economics could reach below $100/tonShow links: -          Connect with Garrett Boudinot and the team at VyCarb-          Follow Alex Cameron on LinkedIn and find how to get involved with the membership and work of Decarb Connect-          Join Alex and a network of hardtech investors and series B+ tech disruptors at Decarb TechInvest in Boston (September 2025) Want to learn more about Decarb Connect? We provide insights and introductions that derisk decision-making and support industrial leaders in deploying decarbonization and low carbon product strategy. Our global membership platform, events and facilitated introductions support commercial decarb planning and business models around the world. Our clients include the most energy-intensive industrials from cement, metals and mining, glass, ceramics, chemicals, O&G and many more along with technology disruptors, investors and advisors.  If you enjoyed this conversation, find out about our portfolio of events in US, Canada, UK and Europe – or explore our Decarbonisation Leaders Network (DLN), and learn why more than 200 members from the energy-intensive sectors have joined to share insights, meet partners who can accelerate their net zero plans and why it’s the fastest growing network of its kind.        (01:31) - – Welcome and introduction to Garrett (00:00) - Chapter 2 (02:41) - – The Origin of Vycarb (00:00) - Chapter 4 (05:54) - – How the Technology Works (00:00) - Chapter 6 (09:11) - - Where Vycarb is at in its funding journey (00:00) - Chapter 8 (12:41) - - Why Industrial Giants Are Backing Vycarb (00:00) - Chapter 10 (22:10) - - How the Vycarb System Works (00:00) - Chapter 12 (27:58) - – Turning Industrial Wastewater Into a Carbon Removal Opportunity (00:00) - Chapter 14 (29:52) - – Vycarb's Pilot Facility in Brooklyn (00:00) - Chapter 16 (33:17) - – Addressing Safety & Environmental Concerns (00:00) - Chapter 18 (36:57) - - Funding, Partnerships & Scaling (00:00) - Chapter 20 (39:20) - – Looking Ahead: The Path to Commercialisation (00:00) - Chapter 22 (40:31) - – Final Thoughts & Reflections

First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) projects are critical to scaling breakthrough decarbonization technologies, yet they don’t fit neatly into traditional funding models. Investors, developers, and strategic partners need to navigate a complex ecosystem to make these projects bankable and viable. In this episode, I talk with David Yeh, a veteran climate tech investor and one of the key voices from our TechInvest event last autumn. He’s been at the forefront of FOAK investing and is here to share what he’s learned over the past year about getting these projects off the ground.David was previously featured on the Catalyst podcast discussing the challenges of funding and scaling FOAK projects. This episode builds on that conversation, covering the rapid changes in the sector and how investors and innovators can ensure their projects get the financing, partners, and expertise they need to succeed.Key Takeaways• FOAK’s Core Goal: Developing bankable projects from pilot to scale, ensuring they attract investors, customers, and suppliers.• Bankability Defined: Investors need stable returns, customers need reliability, and suppliers need to be paid on time. Strong teams and risk mitigation are non-negotiable.• How to Build Bankable FOAK Projects: Expertise is more critical than capital• The Role of EPCs & Strategic Partners: Success depends on having the right engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) teams and industry partners—not just big brands, but the right people.• Coachable Founders Matter: FOAK success isn’t just about having great tech; founders must understand commercialization, risk, and capital strategy.• Proven Models for FOAK Success: Companies like Fervo, Infinium, and Heirloom are demonstrating that FOAK projects can attract significant investment—if structured correctly.• Why Now is the Time to Build: Economic downturns can be an opportunity for resilient companies to thrive, as seen in past recessions with companies like Uber and Airbnb.________________________________________Top 3 Reasons to Listen to This Episode• Get Inside the Mind of a FOAK Investor: David Yeh shares first-hand insights into what makes a FOAK project investable, based on real-world deals.• Learn What’s Working Now in Climate Tech: Discover how companies are securing billion-dollar funding rounds and making first-of-a-kind projects viable.• Understand the Key to Bankability: Whether you're a start-up, investor, or policymaker, this episode breaks down how to de-risk projects and bring them to market successfully.Show links: - Connect with David Yeh, Founder, Precursor- Connect with Alex Cameron, Decarb Connect (and maybe even suggest a podcast discussion theme)- If this conversation resonated, join us at Decarb TechInvest in London in June 2025 – find out more here. - If you enjoyed this conversation, find out about our portfolio of events in US, Canada, UK and Europe – or explore our Decarbonisation Leaders Network (DLN), and learn why hundreds of members from the energy-intensive sectors have joined to find their peers, identify the right solutions and to create high value collaborations that will deliver co2 reductions in our most critical industries. It’s the fastest growing network of its kind, so come and find out whyLearn more about Decarb ConnectOur global membership platform, events and facilitated introductions support the acceleration of industrial decarbonization around the world. Our clients include the most energy-intensive industrials from cement, metals and mining, glass, ceramics, chemicals, O&G and many more along with technology disruptors, investors and advisors. We have events coming up in London, Amsterdam, Boston, Toronto and Dallas and the opportunity to find the biggest brains in carbon management and your future collaborators.