What does it take to build a cutting-edge climate strategy firm?
For Garrett Kephart, CEO and Co-Founder of Earth Finance, years of experience paddling through the Canadian wilderness and trekking the mountains of the Western US came in handy.
As a seasoned outdoorsman, Kephart learned the importance of adapting to changing environments and making decisions under pressure — lessons he’s transferred over to his work building a top climate adaptation and transition strategy company.
In this episode, Kephart gives us the lowdown on Earth Finance, describing its beginnings in the heyday of the Biden administration and its subsequent evolution as corporate priorities have shifted. He talks about the recent acquisition of Climate Engine — a pioneer in spatial finance technology — and how these capabilities are helping clients better understand and respond to physical climate risks.
The conversation also unpacks how AI is transforming the consulting model, enabling faster and deeper analysis of climate risks and opportunity. Kephart offers a nuanced view on the promise and pitfalls of AI, stressing the need for “ground truth” and local engagement to validate the findings of high-tech models and data feeds.
Looking ahead, he highlights the current adaptation priorities of companies and the sectors that are already coming under pressure, while explaining how Earth Finance is positioning itself to be the one-stop shop for climate-proofing their operations.
It’s a conversation that the climate consulting crowd and geospatial community won’t want to miss!
Listen below, download from the Podcasts page on Climate Proof, or tune in via Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
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We talk about:
👉 Garrett’s professional and personal journey from wilderness guide to climate consultancy founder, and how his personal connection to nature shapes Earth Finance’s mission
👉 Earth Finance’s acquisition of Climate Engine and its “SpatiaFi” technology, which highlights the growing importance of geospatial analytics in identifying physical climate risks for corporates
👉 How clients are shifting focus to resilience, particularly in sectors like agriculture, retail, and logistics
👉 The potential risks and opportunities of AI in transforming climate consulting
👉 Earth Finance’s growth strategy and thesis on making companies more climate resilient
Thanks for listening!
Louie Woodall
Editor
