The Transition Tapes

Episode 12 | Jakob Thomä: Silicon Boundaries: why the social and regulatory pushback on AI could ‘strand’ some of today’s massive tech investment bets?

In this episode of The Transition Tapes, we speak with, Founder & CEO of Theia Finance Labs and Professor in Practice at, about the huge risks embedded in today’s overwhelming investment focus on AI and tech — and how social and regulatory pushback could ‘strand’ some of the sector’s biggest investment bets. Together with Hugh Wheelan, they explore: * the “silicon boundaries” we may already be crossing - and the societal and environmental costs involved * where the data on these issues can be found, and what it reveals * the growing evidence of societal and regulatory resistance to AI and tech expansion * what investors should be doing now to finance a more humanly responsible future Jakob also shares his Transition Tapes playlist — described as “absolute chaos musically and stylistically” — featuring Nina Simone, TLC, Tupac, Gala, Duman and more. Here's his Transition Tapes playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4BKFjIl6ZzTFRFKl3XDD4a?si=KOtbVYH4TZu490AWI2pb3Q [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4BKFjIl6ZzTFRFKl3XDD4a?si=KOtbVYH4TZu490AWI2pb3Q]

Episode 11 | Harald Walkate - Rethinking sustainable finance narratives

In this episode of The Transition Tapes, we speak with Harald Walkate, Advisor on Financing Sustainability & Blended Finance at Route17 and Senior Advisor at the LSE.   We explore the idea of “reference narratives” - the stories that shape how we think about sustainable finance. These narratives can spread quickly, reinforce themselves, and influence decisions, even when they don’t fully reflect reality.   We discuss: • what reference narratives are and why they matter for sustainable finance • why market-led narratives have become dominant • why policy-led approaches often receive less attention • how current policy initiatives compare in terms of real-world impact   Harald is also a pianist and composer, performing with his jazz group The New York Second.   And explore his Transition Tapes playlist, along with his curated selection of favourite books, films and podcasts.  Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5hjfiUtmCJGQZCte08c8rG?si=YDGHEBmjS9KqgKV9Btu5uw

Episode 10 | Justine Leigh Bell - How to assess and price transition risks in the bond market

In this episode of The Transition Tapes, we speak with Justine Leigh-Bell, CEO of the Anthropocene Fixed Income Institute (AFII). Together, we explore the growing importance of transition risk in the $150 trillion global debt market — and the tension at the heart of sustainable bond labelling in the context of the climate transition. We discuss: * how AFII approaches research on the real-world sustainability impact of bond issuance * why investors should think beyond labels and focus on outcomes * where the European Green Bond Standard fits into the broader landscape * how government bonds could play a role in hedging transition risk, including the case for sovereign transition linkers Justine also shares her Transition Tapes playlist — a top house party selection — along with her favourite books, films, and podcasts. * 🔗 Spotify playlist [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4NNqTTS6V2fdGKuA9hIkvS?si=pxuuYrJ7SzqsPobJABfOGw]

Episode 9 | David Carlin - Rules, risks, and the energy transition

In this episode of The Transition Tapes, Hugh Wheelan speaks with David Carlin, founder of D. A. Carlin and Company, a New York-based sustainability advisory firm, and Visiting Research Fellow at King’s College London, where he focuses on the intersection of sustainability, economics, and finance. In the conversation, they explore the current global landscape of climate and sustainability regulation, and what it means for the energy transition. Among the topics: * how policymakers and regulators are approaching the development of realistic and pragmatic rules for businesses * how companies and investors are navigating the evolving international regulatory environment * which economic sectors are experiencing the most significant transformation driven by climate and sustainability pressureswhich reporting and risk frameworks are most relevant today, for whom, and how they may anticipate future regulations? He also shares his Transition Tapes playlist - a selection of some of the finest musical storytelling from the rock n’ roll canon. * 🔗 Spotify playlist [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2aToJgqeHF7Zp2VJkXn78D?si=EqBjyJ0jTk6lZXzH7Q2t3w]

Episode 8 | Catherine Howarth - Turning shareholding into action

In this episode of The Transition Tapes, Hugh Wheelan with Catherine Howarth, OBE, Chief Executive of ShareAction, the European NGO that pushes for ambitious standards in responsible investment.   Catherine also serves on the board of NEST pensions, is a member of the Financial Conduct Authority’s advisory committee on sustainable finance and of HM Treasury’s Asset Management Taskforce.   In the conversation, they discuss ShareAction’s latest campaigns and the broader debates shaping the future of responsible investment. Among the topics: * how and why ShareAction is campaigning for more pension fund mini-publics as Nest, the giant UK pension fund, carries one out itself * what ShareAction’s major shareholding voting recommendations are for 2026, and why?  * the pushback on physical AGMs and why ShareAction is fighting against it * air pollution: an under-discussed issue with major public health ramifications, and tightening policy and legal frameworks Catherine reflects on how she and her team stay motivated amid increasing ESG pushback and political headwinds. As for every Transition Tapes episode, she shares her favourite music - an eclectic mix of country, classical and folk with an undercurrent of social struggle: * 🔗 Apple [https://music.apple.com/cz/playlist/catherine-howarth-the-transition-tapes/pl.u-MDAWv0Du46Drmp] * 🔗 Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4oRJTtaybA6BRUis6LUce6?si=2H0lP6YoQj2O5oGvGeJuHg&nd=1&dlsi=6c19290e4944429b]