Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
How can $10 billion be spent most effectively to address the climate and nature crises? What role can philanthropy play in driving systemic change? And how can new technologies like AI be leveraged to accelerate climate solutions?
In this episode of Cleaning Up, host Bryony Worthington sits down with Dr. Andrew Steer, President and CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund, to explore these critical questions. Established in 2020 with a $10 billion commitment from Jeff Bezos, the Bezos Earth Fund is on a mission to spend this capital by 2030 - the "decisive decade" for climate and nature.
Andrew shares insights into the fund's venture capital-inspired approach, balancing support for proven organisations and innovative newcomers. He delves into the delicate dance of respecting grantee expertise while providing strategic guidance, and the importance of avoiding dependence.
The conversation covers the fund's diverse portfolio, from electrifying school buses to harnessing AI for nature monitoring and sustainable agriculture. Andrew also tackles the thorny issues of carbon markets and the need for a new mindset in the environmental movement.
Leadership Circle:
Cleaning Up is supported by the Leadership Circle, and its founding members: Actis, Alcazar Energy, EcoPragma Capital, EDP of Portugal, Eurelectric, the Gilardini Foundation, KKR, National Grid, Octopus Energy, Quadrature Climate Foundation, SDCL and Wärtsilä. For more information on the Leadership Circle, please visit https://www.cleaningup.live.
Links and more:
• The Bezos Earth Fund website: bezosearthfund.org
• youtube.com/watch?v=7jKzFXaEmJ4
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
03:30 - Andrew's Background
07:30 - How to Spend $10 billion
10:40 - Speaking Truth to Philanthropy
15:47 - Electrifying School Buses
19:00 - Working With States
21:50 - Repairing Nature
25:00 - NGOs Need to Evolve
29:00 - GMOs and Nuclear
33:29 - Farming vs Nature
42:25 - Carbon Market Controversy
49:30 - Offsets Vs Action?
56:40 - Climate & AI
01:02:00 - AI & Politics
01:04:30 - What Does 2030 Look Like?
01:09:42 - Outro
How can $10 billion be spent most effectively to address the climate and nature crises? What role can philanthropy play in driving systemic change? And how can new technologies like AI be leveraged to accelerate climate solutions?
In this episode of Cleaning Up, host Bryony Worthington sits down with Dr. Andrew Steer, President and CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund, to explore these critical questions. Established in 2020 with a $10 billion commitment from Jeff Bezos, the Bezos Earth Fund is on a mission to spend this capital by 2030 - the "decisive decade" for climate and nature.
Andrew shares insights into the fund's venture capital-inspired approach, balancing support for proven organisations and innovative newcomers. He delves into the delicate dance of respecting grantee expertise while providing strategic guidance, and the importance of avoiding dependence.
The conversation covers the fund's diverse portfolio, from electrifying school buses to harnessing AI for nature monitoring and sustainable agriculture. Andrew also tackles the thorny issues of carbon markets and the need for a new mindset in the environmental movement.
Leadership Circle:
Cleaning Up is supported by the Leadership Circle, and its founding members: Actis, Alcazar Energy, EcoPragma Capital, EDP of Portugal, Eurelectric, the Gilardini Foundation, KKR, National Grid, Octopus Energy, Quadrature Climate Foundation, SDCL and Wärtsilä. For more information on the Leadership Circle, please visit https://www.cleaningup.live.
Links and more:
• The Bezos Earth Fund website: bezosearthfund.org
• youtube.com/watch?v=7jKzFXaEmJ4
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
03:30 - Andrew's Background
07:30 - How to Spend $10 billion
10:40 - Speaking Truth to Philanthropy
15:47 - Electrifying School Buses
19:00 - Working With States
21:50 - Repairing Nature
25:00 - NGOs Need to Evolve
29:00 - GMOs and Nuclear
33:29 - Farming vs Nature
42:25 - Carbon Market Controversy
49:30 - Offsets Vs Action?
56:40 - Climate & AI
01:02:00 - AI & Politics
01:04:30 - What Does 2030 Look Like?
01:09:42 - Outro
