Corporate Catalyst: An emissions first approach to achieving global decarbonisation

In this episode Baringa's Ellen Fraser is joined by Faraz Ahmad, Head of Net Zero Grid at Amazon, and Hannah Simmonds, Baringa expert in corporate decarbonisation. 

They discuss an independent Baringa study commissioned by Amazon to assess the global decarbonisation impact of the corporate sector adopting an emissions first approach, prioritising renewables procurement to where it has the highest grid decarbonisation impact. They share the key findings of Baringa's study, its relevance and importance to players across the renewable value chain globally, and why Amazon and the Emissions First partnership are advocating for change.

View a transcript of this podcast here

About our host:

Ellen Fraser, Partner and Expert in Energy and Resources, Baringa

Chances are, you’ve already met Ellen. When it comes to the energy sector, she’s a trusted expert – a familiar face commenting on the BBC, she’s quoted everywhere from the Financial Times to The Guardian. And at Baringa, one of her big clients is energy regulator Ofgem.

Ellen’s talent for decoding a complex industry is her opportunity to not only explain it to others, but to be inside the engine room of change. She’s sat in boardrooms with the CEOs of every major UK energy supplier. And her work with Ofgem cuts to the heart of policy and regulation. Ellen believes even the most difficult situations – like a national energy price crisis – can focus minds on the world’s move towards clean, renewable power.

Ellen takes complicated questions and strips them down. She looks for simple, effective solutions. The “so what?” buried in a pile of detail. With this approach, she steers her clients around pitfalls. 

About our guests:

Faraz Ahmad, Head of Net Zero Grid, Amazon

Faraz Ahmad is part of Amazon’s Global Clean Energy team, focusing on the Net Zero Electricity strategy to ensure sustainable power for Amazon’s operations. Since Amazon’s Climate Pledge in 2019 to achieve net zero by 2040, the company has become the largest corporate buyer of renewable electricity globally.

Previously, Faraz was Head of Strategy and M&A at NextEra Energy, where he significantly increased operating income and led new ventures in home energy optimisation. His extensive experience includes senior roles at General Electric, where he managed strategies in the energy sector across various global markets.

Faraz began his career as a management consultant at the Boston Consulting Group and has held engineering roles at British Nuclear Fuels and bp plc. He is a Fellow of the Energy Institute, holds degrees from Cambridge University and MIT, and enjoys martial arts and family time in Houston

Hannah Simmonds, Expert in Decarbonisation, Baringa 

Hannah is dedicated to decarbonising the energy system and creating value for corporates, generators, and suppliers. She advises clients across sectors on corporate decarbonisation strategies for scopes 2 and 3, focusing on PPA strategies, asset investment cases, and energy hedging.

Working closely with large energy users like water companies, data centers, airports, and retailers, Hannah helps them credibly reduce their scope 2 emissions while managing rising power demand.

Amid the Greenhouse Gas Protocol’s consultation on scope 2 emissions reporting and increasing scrutiny of renewable energy claims, businesses are seeking to future-proof their energy strategies. Hannah employs detailed modeling and analytics to guide clients in developing robust renewable energy strategies. She utilises Baringa’s Corporate Power Solutions tool to assist clients in managing their energy position, risk, PPA evaluation, and energy hedging.