As one of the guests on this episode of Wicked Problems, Chris Slater, founder and CEO of carbon insurance startup Oka™, talks to host Richard Delevan, about how the insurance sector is becoming a crucial player in de-risking carbon markets. What becomes clear is that while there’s agreement on the need for growth, the paths to achieving it are as divergent as ever.
Below, find the full interview and Richard’s summary of Chris’ recommendations, as well as Richard’s final thoughts on the episode.
Catalyst Recommendations by Chris Slater
To wrap up our conversation, Chris Slater shared three key influences that have shaped his journey into climate tech and insurance. If you’re looking for insights that could help shape your own thinking, these catalysts are worth exploring:1. Speed and Scale by John Doerr This book has been instrumental for Chris in mapping out a measurable path to addressing climate change. John Doerr, a venture capitalist, outlines a practical plan to achieve net-zero emissions through a combination of technology, policy, and market innovation. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in how to drive large-scale change. Read Speed and Scale here.
2. His Personal Journey as a Father Chris candidly shared that becoming a parent was a key catalyst in his decision to enter the climate space. The realisation that his children—and future generations—would face the brunt of climate change motivated him to apply his expertise in insurance to help solve these problems. While it’s not something you can link to directly, it’s a reminder that personal stakes are often a powerful driver for impactful work.
3. Applying the OKR Framework As a founder, Chris found John Doerr’s OKR (Objectives and Key Results) framework—first made popular in Doerr’s book Measure What Matters—invaluable for building scalable businesses. It gave him a structure for goal-setting that helped steer his company toward meaningful impact in the climate space. Learn more about OKRs and Measure What Matters.
Final Thought: A Road to Growth, but Which One?
The future of energy and climate risk management lies in finding the right mix of market forces and government regulation. This episode highlights the challenges and contradictions of both approaches, and while insurance can mitigate some risks, policy needs to do the heavy lifting to create demand and steer investment in the right direction.© Copywright Wicked Problems. Used with Permission
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