Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

CLIMATE CHANGE and the road to NET-ZERO

Rate this book
CLIMATE CHANGE and the road to NET-ZERO is a story of how humanity has broken free from the shackles of poverty, suffering, and war and for the first time in human history grown both population and prosperity. It’s also a story of how a single species has reconfigured the natural world, repurposed the Earth’s resources, and begun to re-engineer the climate. The book uses these conflicting narratives to explore the science, economics, technology, and politics of climate change. NET-ZERO blows away the entrenched idea that solving global warming requires a trade-off between the economy and environment, present and future generations, or rich and poor, and reveals why a twenty-year transition to a zero carbon system is a win-win solution for all on planet Earth.

Reviews

“An excellent layman's perspective of the climate problem today, how it has evolved over time, and the different approaches to solving the problem. I recommend it highly.” - Mark Z. Jacobson, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University and author of 100% Clean, Renewable Energy and Storage for Everything.

“Mathew brings his wide ranging experience of financial markets, particularly in modelling and forecasting, to add a unique insight to the climate challenge. On one hand, helping us understand how fossil fuels drove prosperity and let the world’s population escape the poverty trap, whilst on the other how rising levels of CO2 in the atmosphere placed the world at mortal risk. In this book, Mathew’s financial understanding comes to the fore, revealing why we need a sound understanding of economics, climate science and financial modelling to give us the signals we need to act today.” - Mark Campanale, Executive Chairman of the Carbon Tracker Initiative and founder of the ‘unburnable carbon’ capital markets thesis.

“Provides a clear understanding of the technical complexities of reaching zero carbon. Hampshire-Waugh approaches the subject with intellectual rigour, boundless curiosity, and compelling story telling. A must read for anyone interested in climate change and net-zero.” - Vincent Gilles, Chief Investment Officer at Clim8 Invest.

“The book that says it all and answers all questions. Backed by data, analysis and science, Hampshire-Waugh explains how climate change, if left unchecked, threatens to unravel 200 years of human progress. But it need not end this way. The author shows that building a net zero carbon economy is within human reach through focused innovation, riding down the experience curve and reaching scale in clean energy technologies and solutions. Mathew shows how we can solve climate change and air pollution whilst driving development in the poorest parts of the world, and without compromise for those already accustomed to the highest quality of life.” - Geetu Sharma, Founder of AlphasFuture LLC, a sustainability focused investment business.

About the Author

Dr Mathew Hampshire-Waugh has spent the last decade working as an equity analyst at a global investment bank. He has worked with the top executives of many multi-billion-dollar companies and built relationships with many of the world’s largest investment managers. Mathew’s work centred on forecasting technology trends, financial performance, and the intrinsic value of companies involved in markets including renewable energy, electric cars, battery technology, and biofuels. Prior to his career in the banking industry, the author gained his doctorate in materials chemistry from University College London, where he worked on novel coatings and nano-materials for use in energy saving glazing and solar panel design. During his doctorate Mathew registered a patent for an efficiency enhancing coating for solar modules, published numerous scientific papers, and engaged in public speaking, consultancy, and media outreach.

426 pages, Paperback

First published May 14, 2021

31 people are currently reading
481 people want to read

About the author

Mathew Hampshire-Waugh

2 books7 followers
Dr Mathew Hampshire-Waugh has spent the last ten years working as an equity analyst at global investment bank, Credit Suisse. He resigned his role as director in 2019 to commit to writing on climate change and new energy technology full time.

During a decade as an investment banker, the author of NET-ZERO, Mathew Hampshire-Waugh has worked with the top executives of many multi-billion-dollar companies, and built relationships with many of the world’s largest investment managers. Mathew’s work centred on forecasting technology trends, financial performance, and the intrinsic value of companies involved in markets including renewable energy, electric cars, battery technology, and biofuels. His role was to publish and pitch share price recommendations to the world’s largest institutional investors, hedge funds, and private wealth managers.

Prior to his career in the banking industry, Hampshire-Waugh gained his doctorate in materials chemistry from University College London, where he worked on novel coatings and nano-materials for use in energy saving glazing and solar panel design. During his doctorate Mathew registered a patent for an efficiency enhancing coating for solar modules, published numerous scientific papers, and engaged in public speaking, consultancy, and media outreach for the BBC, Teachers TV, and other outlets.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
13 (46%)
4 stars
7 (25%)
3 stars
6 (21%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
2 (7%)
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Profile Image for Robert Høgh.
174 reviews23 followers
June 25, 2022
Skal du læse én bog om klimaforandringer, er det denne. Climate Change and the Road to Net Zero af Matthew Hampshire-Waugh, et multitalent, som både er kemiker og investment banker.

Bogen er smukt opbygget, jeg elsker logiske fortællinger. Det begynder med en gennemgang af menneskehedens udvikling, hvordan fossile brændsler har ladet os erobre verden.

Bagefter forklarer den, hvordan fossile brændsler udleder CO2, og hvorfor CO2 gør planeten varmere. Hvordan klimaforskere bygger modeller, der forudser global opvarmning. Hvad konsekvenserne af global opvarmning bliver, hvis vi fortsætter.

Til sidst analyserer den hvilke industrier, der forurener mest (hint: stål, plastik, cement og ammoniak, som jeg har skrevet om tidligere), og hvad vi kan gøre for at nedbringe forureningen.

Bogens styrke er dens logiske opbygning, at den sætter tal på alting (jeg hader fx bøger, der skriver at noget er et ’stort’ problem. Okay, hvor stort?, spørger jeg – prøv i det mindste at kvantificere det, også selvom det er umuligt). Samtidig er det ikke en skræmmebog, forfatteren indrømmer usikkerheder ved klimaforandringerne. Han forsøger ikke at overdrive konsekvenserne.

Til gengæld er bogen naiv, når det kommer til at løse problemerne. Han regner med, at alt kan løses via ny teknologi og vedvarende energi, som bliver billigere end kul og olie, påstår han – men uden rigtig at dokumentere det. Han anerkender ikke, hvor dyr og svær grøn omstilling bliver.

Jeg savner også, at han bruger mere tid på atomkraft, min yndlings energiform, som jeg tror, kan være med til at redde verden
449 reviews6 followers
July 28, 2021
Disclaimer: I received this book as part of the GoodReads First Reads program

Climate Change and the road to NET-ZERO tries, and mostly succeeds, to cover every facet of what led to our current climate situation. It explores how various approaches to energy production through history to the present have affected our situation, and explores in a very comprehensive way how we can improve the situation (or make it worse). The ultimate goal is, of course, net zero, where the intake and consumption of products that are affecting our climate balance. The book is extremely well researched, and the references cited are extensive. I've read a lot of climate change books over the years by alarmists and deniers, all of whom vehemently espouse their ideas, and I think this book presents the most balanced look at the situation and possible solutions. Sadly, I think only the people who believe that there's a problem will probably read this book. I believe everyone should read it with an open mind. Even if you don't believe the climate is changing, the solutions presented are economically sound, and are worth at least a look. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Brewington.
16 reviews1 follower
August 22, 2023
Are you concerned about the future of our planet? Do you want to make a positive impact on the environment while also benefiting from a more efficient and cost-effective energy system? Look no further than Dr Mathew Hampshire-Waugh's groundbreaking book, Climate Change and the Road to Net-Zero.

In this compelling read, Dr Hampshire-Waugh, a scientist and former investment banker, argues that a 20-year transition to a zero-carbon global system is not only necessary to solve climate change and air pollution, but it will also create a more sustainable and prosperous world. By transitioning to a zero-carbon energy network, we can enjoy energy that is 25 cheaper, generate 20 more jobs, and boost global GDP by more than 5.

Dr Hampshire-Waugh presents a clear and compelling case for why we need to act now to combat climate change and transition to a zero-carbon future. With his expertise in science and finance, he provides practical solutions for individuals, businesses, and governments to make the transition to a more sustainable energy system.

Invest in Climate Change and the Road to Net-Zero today and join the movement towards a brighter future for all.
5 reviews2 followers
September 20, 2022
Somewhat of a 3-star, but only because I read it straight through. I think it lends itself really well as a resource on the shelf.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.