ZERO #12 (climate finance + startups)
Biden's climate actions on Day One. Top corporate and asset acquirers in December. Two climate CEO interviews. 5 five things holding back high performers. Your top book recommendations.
Climate actions that Biden took on his first day.
“Get to work, Grandpa.”
That’s just what Biden did just after inauguration.
His climate actions included:
Rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement
Revoking the Keystone XL oil pipeline’s federal permit
Reestablishing a process to develop and consider the social costs of carbon and methane that are used in cost-benefit analyses for regulations and other government actions — these costs will include “climate risk, environmental justice, and intergenerational equity”
Let’s hope the reality over the next four years continues to meet the hype of this new Administration’s role as catalyst for addressing climate change. With expectations for $1.7 trillion of new investment and the creation of 10 million new climate jobs, the bar is high.
Shout out to Scientific American and E&E News on this coverage. Here’s a longer read on Biden’s plans for the energy sector in his first 100 days.
“Sustainable Technology and Infrastructure:
December Market Update”
This most recent 26-page report from Nomura Greentech is full of awesome details.
Here are some highlights:
The NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy is up 182% this year, versus 16.3% for the S&P 500.
Stem — a leader in AI-driven energy storage solutions — went public via a $1.4B SPAC merger
Examples of active asset (project) acquirers included Goldman Sachs Renewable Power, CarVal Investors, TransAlta Corporation, Capital Dynamics, Portland General Electric, Ormat, and Hannon Armstrong
Examples of active corporate acquirers included Energy Infrastructure Partners, Aurora, FSN Capital, New Mountain Capital, Alliance Holdings, and Nesco Holdings
The top performing sectors re: “2020 EV / EBITDA multiple” were Wind and Other, Smart Grid Solutions, European Yield Vehicles, Wind Development, and Diversified Industrials
The top performing sectors re: “Share Price as a % of 52-Week High” were Independent Power Producers, Wind and Other, Primary Equipment and Power Electronics, Smart Grid Solutions, and North American Yield Vehicles.
CEO Interviews with Gridium and EOS Energy Storage
Here at Entrepreneurs for Impact, we run a climate CEO and investor interview series called THE TORCH.
Past interviewees have included leaders from Sofdesk, Dvinci Energy, TIST, Plantible Foods, BIOMILQ, Energicity, Rebellyous Foods, Gridium, EOS Energy Storage, Checkerspot, OneConcern, Kettle, and Dandelion Energy.
Our latest interviews are here. Check ‘em out.
5 things that hold back high performers.
1) Trying to please everyone
— If you try to please everyone, you please no one.
2) Imitating the desires of others
— Know thyself. Own your weird.
3) Chasing status without questioning why
— Be like Toyota. Ask why 5 times.
4) Playing superhero and trying to do it all alone
— Alone we can go fast. Together we can go far.
5) Dividing your attention between too many projects
— Shiny objects can burn your eyes.
Shout out to author James Clear for this initial list.
I’d love your feedback.
I’m creating a list of the best books that climate CEOs and investors should read.
Think business, science, personal development, meditation, health, etc.
What are 1-2 books you would most recommend?
I’ll share this via a new blog post and give you a shout out for your recommendations that make the final cut.
Drop me an email.
That’s all, y’all.
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If you’re feeling generous, you can ZERO with a colleague.
Keep on fightin’ the good fight.
Cheers,
Chris
Dr. Chris Wedding
Entrepreneurs for Impact
Executive Coaching Mastermind for Climate CEOs and Investors
(919) 274-7988
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P.S. — Here’s where the name “ZERO” comes from.
P.S.S. — At Entrepreneurs for Impact, we run a private, invite-only executive coaching Mastermind for climate CEOs and investors. Collectively catalyzing over $800M of value in low carbon sectors, it’s a hell of a group. If you want to learn more, check us out here.
