About this episode

The episode discusses the evolving energy landscape leading into 2026, focusing on China's role and the rise of middle powers in the global energy transition.

Quick 2025 retrospective We see the Climate Energy Finance's role as to provide a narrative difference to the mainstream media, and to try to leverage global / non-US developments to better inform Australia's understanding of the energy system transformation, the threats and opportunities for Australia. Our three main pillars of conversation in 2025 were; China BESS - Batteries were likely to surprise, and they certainly did, even CEF's most bullish expectations. Australia's opportunity to go faster with some wins and many frustrations. And Carbon peaked emissions in 2024, flat to down in 2025 – despite 5% GDP growth. Big themes 2026 – From Grant McDowell In 2025 we discussed the rise and rise of China. In 2026 I think we'll see the rise and rise of the middle powers. New world disorder is opening up opportunities for China to collaborate with the middle powers, and beyond. China has learned from the mistakes of the Belt Road Initiative and seeking to collaborate. China's EVs are displacing over one million barrels of oil demand a day. The middle powers are moving from molecules to electrons for clean electricity and transport. Middle powers are tired of being lumbered with…

People in this episode

Host: Grant McDowell

Guest: Tim Buckley

Topics covered

• Climate Energy Finance
• China's energy transformation
• Middle powers collaboration
• Carbon emissions
• Electric vehicles
• Global energy trends

Keywords

• energy transformation
• China
• middle powers
• carbon emissions
• electric vehicles
• Climate Energy Finance
• Australia
• Ethiopia
• EU CBAM

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Climate Energy Finance, EU, Ember

Places: China, Australia, Ethiopia

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