I is driving massive energy demand, with data centers at the center of it all. Can nuclear provide a sustainable solution? In this final episode of the nuclear series, I speak with Ruan Steyn about how nuclear power could support the AI revolution — from scalability and economics to aligning with net-zero goals. And a quick update: Mission Shunya is now ranked among the top energy transition podcasts worldwide by Feedspot 🎉 Follow Ruan Steyn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ruan-steyn 🎙 Hosted by Girish Shivakumar | Mission Shunya — conversations towards the global zero carbon transition

Fusion energy’s biggest challenge? Plasma confinement. In this episode, Dr. Katarina Bendtz of Novatron Fusion explains how her team is developing a novel magnetic confinement approach, what makes their design different, and how Europe is carving its own fusion path. A conversation at the intersection of physics, innovation, and career inspiration.

How do we assess the safety and resilience of nuclear systems? In this episode, PRA & Risk Analysis Engineer Jenifer Avellaneda Díaz breaks down the evolving world of Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) — from lessons learned after nuclear accidents to its growing relevance in SMRs and the AI-driven future of energy. We also explore how PRA supports innovation, builds public trust, and informs long-term energy decisions. 🔗 Connect with Jenifer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenifer-avellaneda/ 🎙 Hosted by Girish Shivakumar | Mission Shunya – conversations towards the global zero carbon transition

Can a fusion startup change the future of energy? In this episode, Francesco Volpe, founder of Renaissance Fusion, shares how his team is building Europe’s first commercial stellarator reactor. We talk fusion tech, startup realities, and why the “30 years away” mindset might finally be shifting. A bold, science-driven conversation on the future of clean energy.

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. 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/

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 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.

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.

Host Girish Shivakumar kicks off a new series by sharing his personal story—from joining the renewables movement post-Fukushima to now questioning nuclear’s role in our net-zero future. Why is nuclear making a comeback? What changed between 2011 and 2025? And why should we all care? This solo episode sets the stage for an honest, balanced exploration of nuclear energy with global experts in upcoming episodes. Links & Resources: Follow the podcast: missionshunya.com Connect with Girish on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/girishshivakumar New episodes every 2 weeks Artwork courtesy: www.terregeneration.com – a content agency specialising in storytelling across climate, biodiversity, and sustainability.

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

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. Share it with 3 people in your network, it just takes 30seconds.

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. Share it with 3 people in your network, it just takes 30seconds.

"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 here!

"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’. Jack Wardale, Director at Terra Instinct joins us for the inaugural episode on this series to build on from our earlier conversations around ESG and lay the foundation to understand the significance of strong corporate fundamentals/ESG principles in driving towards decarbonisation of the built environment. Links to connect with Jack: jwardale[@]terrainstinct.com | https://terrainstinct.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!

Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) related discussions is happening across the board but not everyone is keen. So what is holding us back in the adoption of ESG practices by businesses? Gabriel Thoumi, President & CEO of Responsible Alpha joins Girish Shivakumar to share his experience of running into problems in implementation of ESG practices around the world. Connect with Gabriel: https://www.responsiblealpha.com/ Link to Episode 100: https://youtu.be/SaVhdi6FvAg?si=529N0dxb3HuyYOoa 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.

On this second of a three part series around ESG we look at “How are businesses navigating the ESG landscape?”. Tomoo Machib from Zeroboard joins Girish Shivakumar for a conversation. 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.

ESG is everywhere, but what is it all about? What is the big deal? Why are companies worried about ESG implementation? How does this play into the wider net-zero transition? All this and more on this first of a three part series around ESG with Girish Shivakumar. 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.

Mission Shunya hits ‘100’ and it’s time to hit rewind and look back at the journey so far, the highs, the lows and everything in between. On this special episode, Girish Shivakumar is interviewed by the TerreGeneration team ft. Jacob and Kaushik where he shares his journey from creating the podcast to doing 100 episodes over the last few years and what to expect over the next 100 and beyond. TerreGeneration is also the team behind the artworks for Mission Shunya, they are a content agency specialised in telling stories in climate, biodiversity and sustainability (www.terregeneration.com ). 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.

Are you looking to upgrade your bike to an e-bike? Well, you don’t have to buy a new one; all you need is a ‘Clip’. On this week’s episode Som Ray, CEO & Founder at Clip Bike joins Girish Shivakumar for a conversation. Key topics: The problem with conventional bikes The innovation behind ‘Clip’ Will the E-bike boom sustain in the post pandemic years? Clip as a solution for personal & shared bikes Clip’s global ambitions Connect with Som: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somnath-ray/ | Campaign https://wefunder.com/clip 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.

What is community solar? How can commercial & industrial (C&I) sector players leverage this asset to cut down on energy bills? All this and more discussed on this episode where Gabriel Phillips, CEO, Catalyst Power joins Girish Shivakumar for a conversation. Key topics: What is community solar? Who benefits more from community solar? Energy efficiency in Commercial & Industrial (C&I) Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Energy Storage’s role in C&I sector Connect with Gabe: https://catalystpower.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.

Waste is ubiquitous, can solutions be ubiquitous too? Well, it can be, if the solution conceptualized by UBQ Materials is scaled up according to Rachel Barr who joins Girish Shivakumar for a conversation. Key topics: Diverting waste from landfills What is UBQ material? The climate positive process of conversion Supporting a circular economy by reimagining waste Scaling up UBQ materials in the developing world About Rachel – Rachel is a VP at UBQ leading their sustainability efforts, working closely with clients and international organizations to advance the circular economy and decarbonize production. She is also a PhD and Energy Economist by qualification. Connect with Rachel: https://bit.ly/3xwcSnJ | https://www.ubqmaterials.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).