Akshat Rathi
Senior climate/energy reporter at Bloomberg; covers global energy markets, decarbonization finance, industrial policy, hosts the Zero podcast.
Electrification Remains Overlooked Climate Solution, Reporter Frustrated
As a climate and energy reporter, I have to admit continued frustration in trying to convince people that electrification is a climate solution, regardless of what is used to generate the power. Sigh...
EVs Cutting Oil Demand by 1.5M Barrels Daily
Are electric vehicles denting oil demand? Yes. By how much? 1.5 million barrels of oil a day, according to EV Curve Futurist. Caveat: These estimates are hard, but the numbers are certainly adding up.
Iran’s Terror Threat Wanes, but Intent Intensifies
"Over the past five years, U.S. authorities have disrupted 17 Iranian plots targeting the homeland. Even as the Iranians’ capabilities are being attenuated, their intent to attack, if anything, is growing stronger." https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/03/iran-terror-attack-risk/686277/?gift=3ObTKY0I1nS0F4IydLmzGcnFNoPWO9AP_QIKgsRfc2E&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
U.S. Frackers Resist Production Swings Amid Price Volatility
"We don’t like to whipsaw these programs up or down, ConocoPhillips Chief Executive Ryan Lance told analysts. The price of a barrel of U.S. crude topped $120 in early 2022 and fetched as little as $55 in December." https://www.wsj.com/business/energy-oil/why-american-frackers-arent-rushing-to-pump-more-oil-d0d36a4d
Iran Conflict May Accelerate Solar and Battery Adoption
Past fossil-fuel price spikes left import-dependent countries with two options: pay up or cut fuel use. Now there is an alternative in solar and batteries. I looked at recent examples in Europe, Pakistan and Cuba to glean what might happen...
Middle East War Threatens Oil Markets, Accelerates Clean Energy Shift
Many consider a widespread war in the Middle East the worst-case scenario for the global oil and gas markets. That war is here, and it could have long-lasting impacts on energy and climate policy. This week on Zero, I speak...
Cheap Chinese EVs: Attractive Until Companies Collapse
Cheap Chinese EVs are boon, until the company goes bust. "Neta Auto’s parent company filed for bankruptcy last year after failing to pay wages, stranding customers in Thailand without after-sales support. Singulato, Aiways, Byton, and Levdeo have all shut down." https://restofworld.org/2026/china-ev-exports-competition-price/
Nearly All U.S. Coal Plants Already Met 2012 Rules
"Nearly all coal plants in the United States have already met the 2012 requirements by installing new pollution controls, experts said. Many that didn’t make those investments have shuttered." https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/20/climate/epa-mercury-coal-plants.html
Ethiopia’s Car Import Ban Drives EV Surge
Two years ago, Ethiopia did something no other rich country has yet. It banned the import of new fossil fuel cars. In that time, the country went from less than 1% of its vehicles being electric to more than 6%...
Affordability Drives Surge in Used Electric Car Sales
Appetite for new electric cars may be waning in the US. But demand for used ones is rising. “The buzz word for the year is ‘affordability’ for a really good reason,” said one analyst. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-14/booming-used-ev-sales-reveal-what-car-buyers-want
EU Mandates 25% Low‑carbon Steel in Public Contracts
EU's climate policymaking continues. "Governments will be required to ensure that 25% of steel used under public procurement and subsidy programs is low-carbon. The bloc will apply similar rules for aluminum and cement." https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-16/eu-will-pitch-green-steel-as-key-pillar-of-industrial-revival
Offset‑Dependent Clean‑Cooking Firm Fails, Warns Developing Nations
Clean cooking is a key climate solution. A company that raised $300 million and was reliant on carbon offset sales for its business model to work has gone bust. Lots of lessons for developing countries and offset sellers. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-16/clean-cooking-company-s-collapse-touches-world-bank-and-beyond
Singapore's Car Taxes Outpace Fiji's Entire GDP
Singapore is one of the world's biggest oil-trading hubs. It also LOVES to tax cars. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-13/singapore-s-car-tax-revenue-now-so-high-it-exceeds-fiji-s-gdp
Banks Poured $429B Into Steel; Capital Isn’t the Hurdle
"Between 2016 and mid-2023, 354 banks provided $429 billion to the 100 biggest steel producers, suggesting that finding capital isn’t the main challenge." https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-11/banks-backing-green-steel-fund-false-solutions-report-says