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  • 112: Inside the World Nuclear Association: Global Perspectives on Nuclear’s Role in the Energy Transition ft. Dr Sama Bilbao y León

    112: Inside the World Nuclear Association: Global Perspectives on Nuclear’s Role in the Energy Transition ft. Dr Sama Bilbao y León
    2025/07/06
    In this episode of the Mission Shunya podcast’s nuclear energy series, we step into the global arena with Dr. Sama Bilbao y León, Director General of the World Nuclear Association (WNA) — the body that represents the worldwide nuclear industry.

    From COP28’s commitment to triple nuclear capacity by 2050 to regional differences in policy, deployment, and public perception, Dr. Sama brings a global systems-level view to the nuclear dialogue. We unpack the role of WNA in shaping international frameworks, supporting industry collaboration, and navigating the complex balance between advocacy, public trust, and regulatory realities.

    This conversation also explores:
    • What the World Nuclear Association actually does and how it operates
    • How nuclear is being positioned in national energy strategies across regions
    • The post-Fukushima decade and nuclear’s narrative shift
    • Whether institutions like WNA carry inherent biases, and how they deal with them
    • Public perception, misinformation, and the role of transparency

    As always, the goal of this series is to approach nuclear energy with a neutral lens — asking informed, critical questions while staying open to where the answers lead.

    So whether you’re a nuclear skeptic, supporter, or still forming your opinion, this episode offers the global context you need to understand where the sector is — and where it’s going.

    Next up: We head into the world of fusion with Renaissance Fusion — a deep dive into how Europe is tackling fusion energy differently.

    Mission Shunya is a podcast that brings you stories at the intersection of sustainability, technology, and the energy transition — hosted by Girish Shivakumar.

    Connect with Dr Sama: https://world-nuclear.org/
    Artwork courtesy - www.terregeneration.com a content agency specialised in telling stories in climate, biodiversity and sustainability.
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    38 分
  • 111: The Case for Nuclear: Myths, Facts, and Its Role in a Zero-Carbon Future ft. Richard Ollington, Radiant Energy Group

    111: The Case for Nuclear: Myths, Facts, and Its Role in a Zero-Carbon Future ft. Richard Ollington, Radiant Energy Group
    2025/05/24
    Nuclear energy has long stood at the intersection of promise and controversy. From concerns over safety and public perception to its evolving place in global clean energy strategies, the conversation around nuclear is rarely straightforward. In this episode, Girish Shivakumar sits down with Richard Orlington of Radiant Energy Group — a veteran energy analyst tracking the global power sector — to separate fact from fiction.

    We explore:
    • Why nuclear’s public narrative has shifted from weapons and accidents to clean, firm energy
    • The lifecycle and real timelines behind nuclear project development
    • How energy policies around the world are beginning to re-embrace nuclear
    • The role nuclear can play in stabilizing the grid alongside renewables
    • Common myths that continue to hold back progress in the sector
    • What the data actually shows about nuclear’s cost, safety, and scalability

    Richard brings a rare systems-level view of the energy transition, blending technical insight with global policy awareness. Whether you’re pro-nuclear, anti-nuclear, or undecided, this episode offers a balanced, data-driven lens through which to understand nuclear’s evolving role.

    New episodes drop every two weeks. Follow the show and stay tuned for more conversations unpacking the nuclear puzzle.

    Connect with Richard: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/richardollington | https://www.radiantenergygroup.com/

    Artwork courtesy: www.terregeneration.com – a content agency specialised in stories on climate, biodiversity and sustainability.
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    47 分
  • 110: Nuclear Energy 101: Science, Safety & Its Role in a Net-Zero Future ft. Dr. Paul Cosgrove, Cambridge Nuclear Energy Centre

    110: Nuclear Energy 101: Science, Safety & Its Role in a Net-Zero Future ft. Dr. Paul Cosgrove, Cambridge Nuclear Energy Centre
    2025/05/10
    What exactly is nuclear energy? How do nuclear power plants work? And are the concerns about safety still valid today?

    In this foundational episode of the Mission Shunya nuclear series, host Girish Shivakumar sits down with Dr Paul Cosgrove, nuclear energy researcher from the University of Cambridge to unpack the basics. From the science of nuclear fission to modern safety protocols and global shifts in energy policy, this conversation lays the groundwork for understanding nuclear energy's place in the clean energy transition.

    Whether you're a skeptic, a supporter, or simply curious, this is your starting point to make sense of the ‘N’ word in net zero.

    Connect with Paul: https://www.cnec.uk/dr-paul-cosgrove

    Artwork courtesy - www.terregeneration.com a content agency specialised in telling stories in climate, biodiversity and sustainability.
    Liked the episode? Give a rating and write a review on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/2LFBCVw). Share it with 3 people in your network, it just takes 30seconds.
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    50 分
  • 109: Why Nuclear? Why Now? Setting the Stage for a New Energy Conversation

    109: Why Nuclear? Why Now? Setting the Stage for a New Energy Conversation
    2025/04/26
    In this solo kickoff to a brand new series, host Girish Shivakumar takes listeners on a personal journey — from joining the renewable energy movement post-Fukushima to now exploring the evolving role of nuclear energy in our net-zero future.

    Why is nuclear suddenly back on the agenda for governments and tech giants? What has changed between 2011 and 2025? And why is this often-controversial topic essential to understand now?

    This episode sets the context for a series that dives into nuclear energy with a neutral lens — unpacking the science, safety, technology, policy, and real-world implications with voices from across the spectrum.

    What You’ll Learn:

    • Why nuclear energy has been a taboo topic in clean energy circles
    • The Fukushima moment and its impact on Girish’s career choice
    • The resurgence of nuclear in the clean energy dialogue
    • How AI and data center demands are shifting energy strategies
    • The motivation behind this new podcast series on nuclear
    Links & Resources:

    • Follow the podcast: missionshunya.com
    • Connect with Girish on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/girishshivakumar
    Artwork courtesy: www.terregeneration.com – a content agency specialising in storytelling across climate, biodiversity, and sustainability.
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    Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.
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    7 分
  • 108: ESG & Finance in a Changing Political Climate ft. Gabriel Thoumi,CFA

    108: ESG & Finance in a Changing Political Climate ft. Gabriel Thoumi,CFA
    2025/03/15
    In this insightful episode of Mission Shunya, host Girish Shivakumar welcomes Gabriel Thoumi, CEO of Responsible Alpha, to discuss the growing importance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors in today’s financial landscape. As the political climate shifts globally, Gabriel shares expert insights into how investors and financial institutions are adapting their strategies to align with ESG principles.

    Explore how political changes impact sustainable investing, the role of ESG in risk management, and why financial markets are increasingly prioritizing sustainability. Whether you're a financial professional, investor, or simply interested in the future of responsible investing, this episode is packed with crucial information about the intersection of finance, sustainability, and global politics.

    Tune in for actionable takeaways on integrating ESG into financial strategies and staying ahead in a rapidly changing world.

    Connect with Gabriel: https://www.responsiblealpha.com/

    Artwork courtesy - www.terregeneration.com a content agency specialised in telling stories in climate, biodiversity and sustainability.
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    36 分
  • 107: Net-Zero transition & challenges in building retro-fit ft.The Crown Estate

    107: Net-Zero transition & challenges in building retro-fit ft.The Crown Estate
    2025/03/01
    What do you do if you're one of the largest asset owners in your region, yet still have a commitment to a net-zero transition? While building retrofits present significant challenges, the effort is undeniably worthwhile.

    In this episode, Kyle Gray, the lead at The Crown Estate, shares insights into their journey toward net-zero and the hurdles they face. Joining Girish Shivakumar, Kyle discusses the trade-offs, the evolving landscape of building retrofits, and why this work is crucial for The Crown Estate's future.

    Connect with Kyle: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/kylealexandergray

    Artwork courtesy - www.terregeneration.com a content agency specialised in telling stories in climate, biodiversity and sustainability.
    Liked the episode? Give a rating and write a review on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/2LFBCVw). Share it with 3 people in your network, it just takes 30seconds.
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    36 分
  • 106: Zero-carbon bio-cement and bio-concrete ft. Prometheus Materials

    106: Zero-carbon bio-cement and bio-concrete ft. Prometheus Materials
    2025/02/15
    Building materials are key components in assessing the net carbon impact of construction sector and in recent times there are a bunch of early stage companies that are claiming to have an USP with their product or technology.

    Loren Burnett, President, CEO and Co-founder, Prometheus Materials joins Girish Shivakumar for a conversation to share their innovation which is inspired by the composition of coral and seashells. Their process combines microalgae with other natural components to form a zero-carbon bio-cement and bio-concrete.
    Links to connect with Loren: https://prometheusmaterials.com/

    Artwork courtesy - www.terregeneration.com a content agency specialised in telling stories in climate, biodiversity and sustainability.
    Liked the episode? Give a rating and write a review on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/2LFBCVw). Share it with 3 people in your network, it just takes 30seconds.
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    19 分
  • 105: Decarbonisation in Construction: What are the key drivers and enablers?

    105: Decarbonisation in Construction: What are the key drivers and enablers?
    2025/02/01
    "Did you know that the construction industry/the built environment is responsible for nearly 30-40% of global carbon emissions? Yes, that is exactly the topic we are going to discuss in this series, ‘Building Green: Decarbonizing Construction’.

    On this episode Tercia Jansen Van Vuuren a global expert and a practitioner of sustainable practices in the construction shares her experience, views and a lot more as we try to decipher and understand the key drivers and enablers in decarbonising the construction sector.

    Artwork courtesy - www.terregeneration.com a content agency specialised in telling stories in climate, biodiversity and sustainability.
    Liked the episode? Give a rating and write a review on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/2LFBCVw). Share it with 3 people in your network, it just takes 30seconds.
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    27 分