Data-Driven Sustainability: Can Tech Save Us From Climate Catastrophe? with Lucas Joppa | S.1 E 91

The Sustainability Journey

In this compelling episode of The Sustainability Journey, host Samuele Tini engages in an insightful discussion with Lucas Joppa, Chief Sustainability Officer at Haveli on the crucial role of technology and finance in accelerating solutions to the planetary crises. Lucas is the former Chief Environmental Officer at Microsoft.

With deep expertise spanning ecology, computing, and business strategy, Joppa provides a systems-level perspective on how technology can empower data-driven sustainability efforts. He outlines Microsoft's ambitious commitment to be carbon negative by 2030, and how their work paved the way for other companies.

Looking ahead, Joppa sees promise in AI's ability to model Earth's complex systems and guide more informed decision making. However, realizing AI's sustainability potential requires thoughtful data infrastructure and computing platforms purpose-built for environmental insights. Joppa discusses his work on planetary-scale cloud computing through initiatives like AI for Earth.

On mobilizing finance, Joppa believes we're entering the most consequential decade as capital aligns with net zero pathways. As an investor at a16z, he aims to accelerate both sustainable operations and sustainability-focused innovations across the software sector.

With pragmatism and vision, Joppa makes the case for technology's indispensable role in scaling evidence-based sustainability - if developed responsibly. Tini and Joppa explore constructive paths forward for tech professionals and companies seeking to drive real-world impact.