Air conditioning already accounts for 9% of electricity consumed globally, and that demand is set to grow substantially in the coming decades. While many living in hot climates need it just for comfort, others see it as a status symbol – their ticket to the middle class. For businesses, it may underpin worker productivity. BNEF's Seb Henbest and Matthias Kimmel join the show today to discuss the effect of the ever-louder hum of aircon units on global electricity demand.  Switched On is hosted this week by Head of Business Development Dana Perkins.

Air conditioning already accounts for 9% of electricity consumed globally, and that demand is set to grow substantially in the coming decades. While many living in hot climates need it just for comfort, others see it as a status symbol – their ticket to the middle class. For businesses, it may underpin worker productivity. BNEF's Seb Henbest and Matthias Kimmel join the show today to discuss the effect of the ever-louder hum of aircon units on global electricity demand.  Switched On is hosted this week by Head of Business Development Dana Perkins.

The future of energy, transport, sustainability and more, as told by BNEF analysts. Each week, Dana Perkins and Tom Rowlands-Rees sit down with BloombergNEF (BNEF) analysts to uncover the key findings and stories behind their latest research.

The future of energy, transport, sustainability and more, as told by BNEF analysts. Each week, Dana Perkins and Tom Rowlands-Rees sit down with BloombergNEF (BNEF) analysts to uncover the key findings and stories behind their latest research.

The future of energy, transport, sustainability and more from Bloomberg analysts

Switched On

The loud hum of air conditioning in global electricity demand

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/27ea9656-5733-4fea-925c-ae3c001538bf/transcript

Global metals markets are shifting faster than anyone expected. Once projected to face widespread shortages, most key energy transition metals now show far more balanced outlooks. Surpluses are pushing battery metal prices down and accelerating the adoption of new chemistries, while demand for steel, copper and aluminum strengthens across clean energy infrastructure. Yet slow mine development, production caps, and rising geopolitical risks are creating new uncertainties. From batteries to transmission lines to electric-vehicle bodies, what do these changing metals dynamics mean for the future of the energy transition? On today’s show, Tom Rowands-Rees is joined by Kwasi Ampofo, BloombergNEF’s head of metals and mining, to discuss findings from the “Transition Metals Outlook 2025.”

Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com

Links to research notes from this episode:

Transition Metals Outlook 2025 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/38151

Global metals markets are shifting faster than anyone expected. Once projected to face widespread shortages, most key energy transition metals now show far more balanced outlooks. Surpluses are pushing battery metal prices down and accelerating the adoption of new chemistries, while demand for steel, copper and aluminum strengthens across clean energy infrastructure. Yet slow mine development, production caps, and rising geopolitical risks are creating new uncertainties. From batteries to transmission lines to electric-vehicle bodies, what do these changing metals dynamics mean for the future of the energy transition? On today&rsquo;s show, Tom Rowands-Rees is joined by Kwasi Ampofo, BloombergNEF&rsquo;s head of metals and mining, to discuss findings from the &ldquo;Transition Metals Outlook 2025.&rdquo;
Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF&lt;GO&gt; on the Bloomberg Terminal or on <a href="https://www.bnef.com/">bnef.com</a>
Links to research notes from this episode:
Transition Metals Outlook 2025 - <a href="https://www.bnef.com/insights/38151">https://www.bnef.com/insights/38151</a>

Surplus for Many, Strain for a Few Transition Metals

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1cc08c29-36ff-4fdf-8dda-b3b700bda357/transcript

Heavy industry faces one of the hardest paths to net zero, yet momentum is starting to build. New decarbonization commitments reached nearly $15 billion by mid-2025. The largest chunk of investment is concentrated in the steel industry, where electric arc furnaces and hydrogen-ready technologies are already pushing down emissions. Other sectors, like aluminum, cement and plastics, are experimenting with recycled materials, electrified heat and bio-based feedstocks. Policy is also proving decisive, with Europe, Australia and Asia pushing carbon border tariffs, retrofit funds and industrial carbon markets. So is heavy industry finally turning a corner on its path to decarbonization? On today’s show, Kobad Bhavnagri is joined by Allen Tom Abraham, BloombergNEF’s head of sustainable materials, to walk through his team’s note “Industrial Decarbonization Market Outlook 2H 2025.”

Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com

Links to research notes from this episode:

Industrial Decarbonization Market Outlook 2H 2025 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/38051/view

Heavy industry faces one of the hardest paths to net zero, yet momentum is starting to build. New decarbonization commitments reached nearly $15 billion by mid-2025. The largest chunk of investment is concentrated in the steel industry, where electric arc furnaces and hydrogen-ready technologies are already pushing down emissions. Other sectors, like aluminum, cement and plastics, are experimenting with recycled materials, electrified heat and bio-based feedstocks. Policy is also proving decisive, with Europe, Australia and Asia pushing carbon border tariffs, retrofit funds and industrial carbon markets. So is heavy industry finally turning a corner on its path to decarbonization? On today&rsquo;s show, Kobad Bhavnagri is joined by Allen Tom Abraham, BloombergNEF&rsquo;s head of sustainable materials, to walk through his team&rsquo;s note &ldquo;Industrial Decarbonization Market Outlook 2H 2025.&rdquo;
Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF&lt;GO&gt; on the Bloomberg Terminal or on <a href="https://www.bnef.com/">bnef.com</a>
Links to research notes from this episode:
Industrial Decarbonization Market Outlook 2H 2025 - <a href="https://www.bnef.com/insights/38051/view">https://www.bnef.com/insights/38051/view</a>

Heavy Industry’s Bumpy Path to a Low-Carbon Future

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/437eb2ac-8997-4266-b871-b3af015cc672/transcript

China’s electric vehicle market is moving at extraordinary speed. Generous incentives, trade-in subsidies, and aggressive pricing have fueled mass-market growth, and roughly half of the cars sold in the country today come with a plug. Now, this EV success story is moving beyond its domestic borders. Chinese brands already account for nearly one in five EVs sold outside the country, and new factories across Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America are helping them stay ahead of trade barriers. Could this be the moment when China’s electric mobility clout reshapes the global auto industry? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Siyi Mi, a senior associate on BloombergNEF’s electric vehicles team, to discuss notes including “More of China’s Automakers Step Into Overseas Markets” and “EVs Are Just the Start for Global Carmakers’ China Rebound.”

Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com

Links to research notes from this episode:

More of China’s Automakers Step Into Overseas Markets - https://www.bnef.com/insights/38069

EVs Are Just the Start for Global Carmakers’ China Rebound - https://www.bnef.com/insights/37181

China&rsquo;s electric vehicle market is moving at extraordinary speed. Generous incentives, trade-in subsidies, and aggressive pricing have fueled mass-market growth, and roughly half of the cars sold in the country today come with a plug. Now, this EV success story is moving beyond its domestic borders. Chinese brands already account for nearly one in five EVs sold outside the country, and new factories across Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America are helping them stay ahead of trade barriers. Could this be the moment when China&rsquo;s electric mobility clout reshapes the global auto industry? On today&rsquo;s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Siyi Mi, a senior associate on BloombergNEF&rsquo;s electric vehicles team, to discuss notes including &ldquo;More of China&rsquo;s Automakers Step Into Overseas Markets&rdquo; and &ldquo;EVs Are Just the Start for Global Carmakers&rsquo; China Rebound.&rdquo;
Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF&lt;GO&gt; on the Bloomberg Terminal or on <a href="https://www.bnef.com/">bnef.com</a>
Links to research notes from this episode:
More of China&rsquo;s Automakers Step Into Overseas Markets - <a href="https://www.bnef.com/insights/38069">https://www.bnef.com/insights/38069</a>
EVs Are Just the Start for Global Carmakers&rsquo; China Rebound -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bnef.com/insights/37181">https://www.bnef.com/insights/37181</a>

From Mini EVs to Mega Scale: China’s Cars Go Global

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/28b96a68-c62f-4656-9cfa-b3a8011435c4/transcript

The loud hum of air conditioning in global electricity demand

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