COP28: Rob Niven

"The biggest challenge for us to reach net zero in our industry, which is buildings or cities, is right now just education. And our main competition is the status quo. We need people to understand that there are better options. And you do not need to compromise on quality or price is you just need to have an open mind and to be able to work with the innovation community."

Rob Niven is the CEO & Founder of CarbonCure Technologies, one of the winners of the 2021 NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE. Their technology uses captured CO2 to produce a material which can be used instead of concrete, which is responsible for some 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Not only does it have the potential of reducing all the emissions associated with cement production, but it also embeds captured carbon in the built environment. While Rob is encouraged by the wave of innovation that he sees emerging in response to the climate crisis, he is conscious of the pivotal role governments have to play in sending clear signals to the private sector, through their procurement policies, which can really help drive climate solutions at scale and pace.