Earth Set Q1 Climate Review: What Just Happened

<p>This week’s episode takes a step back from individual topics to look at the bigger picture: a Q1 2026 review of the climate and energy stories that have defined the year so far — and what they mean for what comes next.</p><p>Hosted by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-rennison-409680106/"><u>Amy Rennison</u></a>, the conversation brings together three returning perspectives spanning analysis, politics and capital. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucyfionashaw?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios"><u>Lucy Shaw</u></a>, energy analyst and advisor, breaks down the system-level dynamics shaping energy markets and infrastructure. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-shore-97467358?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios"><u>Luke Shore</u></a>, from Project Tempo, explores how these shifts are landing politically, and how voters are responding. And <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxbray?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios"><u>Max Bray</u></a>, partner at Kindred Capital, offers a view from the investment side, tracking where capital is flowing and where confidence is changing.</p><p>Across five fast-moving topics, from AI-driven energy demand to US climate policy, capital flows, the Iran crisis, and UK energy strategy, the discussion builds a picture of a system under pressure from multiple directions at once.</p><p>What emerges is a transition no longer defined by a single narrative. Instead, it’s shaped by competing forces: rapid demand growth, geopolitical instability, political backlash, and uneven progress across technologies and regions.</p><p>At the centre is a familiar tension, now more visible than ever: the need to move quickly, and the growing risk that rising costs, infrastructure constraints, and political resistance could slow things down.</p><p>If the transition is no longer just about decarbonisation, but about affordability, security and public consent, the question becomes: can the system adapt fast enough to hold all three together?</p><p><br></p><p><strong>In this episode you’ll learn:</strong></p><ul><li><p>Why AI has rapidly shifted from a tech story to an energy and infrastructure story</p></li><li><p>How Europe’s economic fundamentals are affecting its ability to scale climate technologies</p></li><li><p>Whether we are actually on track for net zero — and how that depends on how you define “on track”</p></li><li><p>Why electrification — not just clean power — is now the critical missing piece</p></li><li><p>How the Iran crisis is affecting global energy markets, supply chains and pricing</p></li><li><p>How high energy prices are affecting UK industry — from steel to ceramics</p></li><li><p>Why delivery — not just policy — is now the key challenge for governments</p></li><li><p>How crises like today’s energy shock compare to historical moments like the 1970s oil crisis</p></li><li><p>Why moments of disruption can either accelerate change — or be missed entirely</p></li></ul><p><strong>Resources &amp; Links</strong></p><p><a href="https://projecttempo.com/"><u>Project Tempo</u></a> – Research on public attitudes to climate and energy policy<a href="https://kindredcapital.vc/"><u>Kindred Capital</u></a> – Early-stage investment across deep tech and energy<a href="https://cornishlithium.com/"><u>Cornish Lithium</u></a> – UK-based lithium extraction and geothermal development<a href="https://www.gridserve.com/"><u>Gridserve</u></a> – UK EV charging and renewable energy infrastructure<a href="https://www.fuseenergy.com/"><u>Fuse Energy</u></a> – Vertically integrated energy company model</p><p><br></p><p>🎟️ <strong>Join Earth Set Live</strong>We host monthly live events in London featuring founders, investors and policy leaders shaping the transition to a resilient, regenerative economy. First Tuesday of every month.</p><p>Grab tickets here:👉 earthset.co</p><p><br></p><p><strong>If you enjoyed this episode</stron