Akshat Rathi
Senior climate/energy reporter at Bloomberg; covers global energy markets, decarbonization finance, industrial policy, hosts the Zero podcast.
Mayor Sadiq Khan’s Decade of Crisis Leadership, Climate Commitment
This week's guest on Zero is London's mayor Sadiq Khan. We had a wide-ranging conversation about his 10 years guiding the UK's capital through Brexit, the pandemic and two energy crises. All through it, he has remained deeply committed to climate action. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwQlMpf3Lic
Trump’s Tariffs and Iran War Cripple Non‑China Manufacturers
Trump's foreign policy (tariffs and Iran war) could not have landed at a worse time for industries outside China. Those factories were already facing cheap Chinese goods (because of weak yuan and domestic subsidies), then Trump raised tariffs and energy prices....
IEA Predicts Global Oil Demand Decline in 2026
IEA: “Global oil demand is expected to fall by 80,000 barrels per day year-on-year in 2026, revised down from growth of 640,000 barrels per day seen in last month’s report. The pace of decline will subside in our base case...
Hormuz Blockade Hurts US; Iran, China Outlast Trump
"The oil math is skewed against the White House. The blockade has a slim chance of working. Iran can remain defiant — and China unconcerned — longer than Trump can remain solvent." https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-04-14/the-hormuz-blockade-is-as-much-about-china-as-iran
Rising Gas Prices Won’t Halt Asia’s Renewable Shift
Don't fall for the easy narrative that costly gas will mean more coal burn in Asia. Briefly in the short term maybe, but the long term trajectory toward renewables gets stronger. Look at the math behind the argument. 🎁🔗 https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-04-01/iran-war-the-lng-shock-isn-t-driving-asia-back-to-coal
US Data Center Growth Stalls Over Imported Equipment Shortage
Almost half of US data centers planned for 2026 are expected to be delayed or canceled. One big reason is the shortage of electrical equipment, such as transformers, switchgear and batteries. US doesn't have manufacturing capacity, forcing it to rely...
Energy Shock Accelerates Global Shift to Electrification
One month in to the war, some people are ready to call it. This energy shock will accelerate the world to a cleaner, more electrified future. “Electrification will be seen as the shock absorber.” https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/01/opinion/oil-crisis-iran-electric-solar.html
Asia May Shift to Coal, Accelerate Renewables, Cut Gas
“If you’re sitting in Asia, going through this again, it’s possible you change your strategy long term — rely more on coal for longer, build out your renewables faster and reduce your exposure to natural gas.” https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-29/iran-war-s-gas-supply-shock-pushes-top-consumers-back-to-coal
Oil Spike Signals New Unpredictable Global Crisis
To me, the news cycle now resembles that of March 2020, where it feels like we're dealing with an unpredictable threat that will have immense global consequences. That's subjective, though the swing in oil prices provides a data point to back...
Satellites Spot Surge in Flaring After Iran Attack
War unleashes many horrors, including environmental ones. Satellites are starting to reveal the details. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-23/iran-war-missile-attack-on-ras-laffan-spurs-increased-flaring-satellites-show
CERAWeek's Chart Set to Dominate Energy Discussions
World's top energy executives are meeting in Houston for the annual CERAWeek conference this week. I hope this chart is the talk of town.
Post‑2020 Crises Unlock Cheap Solar and Electric Alternatives
Fossil fuel crises before the 2020s left consumers with three options: 1. Switch fuel if possible 2. Pay more if you can find fuel 3. Cut fuel use Fossil fuel crises after the 2020s give new affordable options: 4. Install cheap solar panels and...
Gulf Oil Industry Faces Crisis After Unthinkable Event
Great explainer about just how screwed Gulf oil is now that the unthinkable has happened... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6QlFpPMPKQ
Seized Trump Oil Tankers Drain U.S. Treasury, Sale Blocked
Um... "The seizures have put the U.S. government in a financial bind. The ships are highly expensive to maintain. And the Trump administration cannot legally sell their oil without a judge’s permission." https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/13/us/politics/trump-seized-oil-tankers-cost.html
China Passes Law Accelerating Environmental Ambitions, Defying Expectations
Meanwhile, shockingly, the other major global power is doing the very opposite within its own borders... https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-13/china-s-new-law-signals-xi-won-t-curb-environmental-ambitions