50 Essential Podcasts on Sustainability, Climate Action & the Net-Zero Transition

This curated set of 50 podcasts spans the full sustainability landscape from corporate net-zero roadmaps and climate policy to deep-tech decarbonization, circularity, and carbon markets. It balances long-form interviews with news roundups and concise explainers. Whether you’re a practitioner, investor, policymaker, or student, you will find podcasts that translate complex topics into actionable insight.

The list of top 50 podcasts on sustainability, climate action & net-zero transition

1. Net Zero Compare Podcast

About: Interviews and explainers for the energy transition, without the greenwash. Guests include climate tech founders, grid/transmission experts, storage, hydrogen, and carbon market professionals. Expect buyer’s-guide clarity on tools like carbon accounting and ESG data.

Frequency: Bi-weekly
Active since: 2025
Listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Website: https://netzerocompare.com/podcasts/net-zero-compare-podcast

2. The Energy Gang

About: Roundtable analysis on clean energy markets, policy, and technology, accessible but rigorous. Covers storage, EVs, grid reform, and climate finance.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2013
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: woodmac.com/podcasts/energy-gang

3. Catalyst with Shayle Kann

About: Deep dives on hard-tech climate solutions from electrolyzers to heat pumps with operators and researchers. Strong on costs, scaling curves, and policy.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2020
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: N/A

4. Volts (by David Roberts)

About: Thoughtful interviews and solo explainers on climate tech, politics, and markets. Great for policy-tech intersections.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2021
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: volts.wtf

5. Nature Breaking (World Wildlife Fund)

About: Interviews and explainers on the biggest environmental issues affecting people and nature, climate change, biodiversity loss, plastics, and conservation success stories. Hosted by WWF’s Seth Larson, with scientists, policy experts, and practitioners. Episodes include special briefings tied to flagship WWF reports and campaigns.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2022
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: worldwildlife.org/podcast/nature-breaking

6. Outrage + Optimism

About: Christiana Figueres and team dissect climate diplomacy and action with leaders across business and civil society. Balances urgency with solutions.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2019
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: outrageandoptimism.org

7. Zero: The Climate Podcast (Bloomberg)

About: Big-picture conversations on decarbonizing industry, finance, and policy, with a global lens and Bloomberg depth.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2022
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: N/A

8. My Climate Journey (MCJ)

About: Founder/operator-centric chats on building climate solutions and careers; great for market mapping and trends.
Frequency: 2× weekly
Active since: 2019
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: mcj.vc/

9. The Climate Pod

Short intro: Interviews with policymakers, scientists, journalists, and activists on the climate fight, news-driven with context.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2019
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: theclimatepod.com

10. Resources Radio (Resources for the Future)

Short intro: Evidence-based conversations on climate/energy economics and policy, perfect for the policy-curious practitioner.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2018
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: resources.org/resources-radio

11. Energy Transition Show (Chris Nelder)

Short intro: Long-form deep dives into energy systems, grids, and decarbonization pathways, technical but approachable.
Frequency: Bi-weekly
Active since: 2016
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: energytransitionshow.com

12. BNEF: Switched On

Short intro: BloombergNEF analysts unpack the data behind clean power, EVs, hydrogen, and sustainable finance.
Frequency: Bi-weekly
Active since: 2019
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: N/A

13. Cleaning Up with Michael Liebreich

Short intro: High-signal interviews with climate tech CEOs, investors, and policymakers—big-picture insights and numbers.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2020
Listen: Apple, YouTube
Website: cleaningup.live

14. Political Climate

Short intro: Bipartisan look at U.S. climate policy, markets, and the politics shaping them, balanced and timely.
Frequency: Bi-weekly
Active since: 2018
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: politicalclimatepodcast.com

15. The Big Switch (Columbia SIPA)

Short intro: Dr. Melissa Lott explains how to electrify everything and clean up grids—great season arcs with clear takeaways.
Frequency: Seasonal (weekly during seasons)
Active since: 2021
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: energypolicy.columbia.edu/the-big-switch-is-coming-back/

16. Columbia Energy Exchange

Short intro: Conversations with leaders across energy and climate, policy, tech, geopolitics, and finance.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2016
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: energypolicy.columbia.edu

17. TILclimate (MIT)

Short intro: Bite-sized explainers that unpack climate basics with experts, great for teams new to the space.
Frequency: Weekly (seasonal)
Active since: 2019
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: N/A

18. A Matter of Degrees

Short intro: Dr. Leah Stokes & Dr. Katharine Wilkinson explore power, politics, and paths to climate solutions.
Frequency: Seasonal (weekly during seasons)
Active since: 2020
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: degreespod.com

19. The Circular Economy Show Podcast (Ellen MacArthur Foundation)

Short intro: How circular design, materials, and systems cut emissions and unlock value, case studies and toolkits.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2020
Listen: Apple, YouTube
Website: ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-economy-podcast/overview

20. Circular Economy Podcast (Catherine Weetman)

Short intro: Practitioner stories on circular business models, reuse, repair, and materials innovation.
Frequency: Bi-weekly
Active since: 2019
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: rethinkglobal.info/podcast/

21. Getting in the Loop

Short intro: Research-to-practice conversations on circular economy and product design for sustainability.
Frequency: Bi-weekly
Active since: 2019
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: N/A

22. Climate Rising (Harvard Business School Business & Environment Initiative)

Short intro: Business-focused climate conversations with HBS faculty and leaders, covering strategy, markets, and practical solutions.
Frequency: Twice monthly
Active since: 2019
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: hbs.edu/environment/podcast

23. ESG Now (MSCI)

Short intro: Quick, data-oriented takes on ESG and climate trends affecting investors and issuers.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2019
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: N/A

24. Earth to Humans (Wild Lens Collective)

Short intro: Interviews and stories at the intersection of conservation, environmental justice, and everyday life, spotlighting people working toward a more just, sustainable future.
Frequency: Bi-weekly
Active since: 2014
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: earthtohumanspod.com

25. Climate One

Short intro: Long-running conversations with scientists, politicians, and business leaders on climate realities and solutions.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2008
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: climateone.org

26. Redefining Energy

Short intro: Two industry veterans decode the economics and geopolitics of the energy transition, sharp and contrarian.
Frequency: Bi-weekly
Active since: 2018
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: redefining-energy.com

27. SmarterMarkets

Short intro: Markets-first lens on decarbonization: carbon, power, and commodities innovation for net zero.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2020
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: smartermarkets.media

28. Watt It Takes (Powerhouse)

Short intro: Founder journeys behind climate tech unicorns and ecosystem builders, fundraising and product lessons.
Frequency: Bi-weekly (seasonal)
Active since: 2016
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: powerhouse-ventures.co/watt-it-takes

29. The Climate Question (BBC World Service)

Short intro: Global explainers on how the world tackles climate change; concise and well-reported.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2020
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: bbc.co.uk/programmes/w13xtvb6

30. The Carbon Removal Show

Short intro: Narrative, research-heavy series on engineered and nature-based carbon removal, policy, MRV, and scale-up.
Frequency: Bi-weekly (seasonal)
Active since: 2021
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: thecarbonremovalshow.com

31. Reversing Climate Change

Short intro: Unites science and policy with the humanities, carbon removal, climatetech, literature, history, philosophy, theology, and geopolitics to spotlight the people and ideas shaping a better future.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2018
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: N/A

32. Carbon Removal Newsroom (Nori)

Short intro: Panel format on the week’s CDR policy, tech, and business news which is short, timely, and expert.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2021
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: N/A

33. ClimateBiz (IFC/World Bank Group)

Short intro: Emerging-market solutions and finance for climate-smart business—great for global case studies.
Frequency: Bi-weekly
Active since: 2019
Listen: YouTube, Spotify
Website: N/A

34. Degrees: Real Talk About Planet-Saving Careers (EDF)

Short intro: How to build a climate career, skills, roles, and employer stories across sectors.
Frequency: Bi-weekly (seasonal)
Active since: 2020
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: edf.org/degrees

35. Think: Sustainability

Short intro: From waste to wealth and grids to growth, the show explores how consumption shapes our lives and the technologies and ideas pushing a more sustainable future.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2016
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: 2ser.com/podcasts/think-sustainability

36. The Food Fight (EIT Food)

Short intro: Conversations on the biggest challenges in the food system and the innovations and entrepreneurs working to solve them.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2019
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: eitfood.eu/podcast

37. The Net Zero Business Podcast

Short intro: Practical net-zero how-tos for corporates, targets, roadmaps, and sector case studies.
Frequency: Bi-weekly
Active since: 2020
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: N/A

38. Nature Podcast (Springer Nature Limited)

Short intro: Weekly science news and research highlights from the journal Nature, featuring author interviews and editor analysis
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2005
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: nature.com/podcasts

39. IEA Podcast

Short intro: International Energy Agency briefings on data, policy, and pathways for net zero.
Frequency: Monthly
Active since: 2018
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: iea.org/podcasts

40. The RegenNarration

Short intro: Stories of regenerative practices transforming farms, businesses, and communities—systems thinking in action.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2017
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: regennarration.com

41. Energy Insiders (RenewEconomy)

Short intro: Australian-led but globally relevant discussions on renewables integration, storage, and policy.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2013
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: reneweconomy.com.au/podcasts

42. Redefining Energy by Tech

Short intro: Tech-centric spin-off exploring specific technologies’ cost curves and scale-up hurdles.
Frequency: Bi-weekly
Active since: 2022
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: redefining-energy.com

43. The Climate Ready Podcast (AGWA)

Short intro: Adaptation, water, and resilience, how infrastructure and policy face climate risks.
Frequency: Monthly
Active since: 2016
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: alliance4water.org

44. Sustainability Agenda (Fergal Byrne)

Short intro: Long-form interviews with thinkers and operators on corporate sustainability and systems change.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2016
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: thesustainabilityagenda.com/show/the-sustainability-agenda/

45. Sustainable Finance Podcast (Paul Ellis)

Short intro: How investors and issuers are pricing climate risk and financing transition strategies.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2018
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: N/A

46. Real Organic Podcast (Real Organic Project)

Short intro: Farmer-led conversations with scientists, activists, policymakers, chefs, and authors about organic integrity, soil-based farming, and the food system.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2021
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: realorganicproject.org/get-educated/podcasts

47. Forces for Nature (Crystal DiMiceli)

Short intro: Interviews and stories about people advancing conservation, sustainability, and animal welfare, with an emphasis on practical, solution-focused approaches.
Frequency: Biweekly
Active since: 2020
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: forcesfornature.com

48. How to Save a Planet (Gimlet)

Short intro: Solutions-focused climate show hosted by Alex Blumberg and Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson; ran 2020–2022.
Frequency: Weekly during its run
Active since: 2020
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: N/A

49. Drilled

Short intro: Investigative series on climate disinformation, accountability, and the history shaping today’s policy landscape.
Frequency: Seasonal
Active since: 2018
Listen: Apple, Spotify
Website: drilled.media/podcasts/drilled

50. Net Hero Podcast (future net zero)

Short intro: Weekly chats with “net-zero heroes”, leaders delivering real-world decarbonization across sectors.
Frequency: Weekly
Active since: 2020
Listen: YouTube, Apple
Website: futurenetzero.com

Conclusion

This collection of podcasts offers a broad, accessible view of the transition to net zero. Episodes span short news roundups, conversational interviews, and technical explainers, presenting policy shifts, technology milestones, and market signals in plain language. Voices include researchers, practitioners, community leaders, financiers, and policymakers, which helps connect high-level ideas to day-to-day decisions in power, farming, buildings, transport, and heavy industry. Cross-cutting themes, such as carbon markets, grid modernization, nature and biodiversity, and climate risk, provide context for why certain headlines matter. Many shows include episode notes or, where available, transcripts and links to reports, allowing listeners to explore sources at their own pace. Regional perspectives appear alongside global outlooks, highlighting differences in infrastructure, policy design, and financing. Overall, the mix of formats and viewpoints makes it easier to follow what’s changing, what’s contested, and where practical solutions are taking shape.