How GE Vernova uses electrification to drive energy access alongside decarbonization

In this episode of the All Things Sustainable podcast, we sit down on the sidelines of Climate Week NYC with GE Vernova's Chief Corporate Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer, Roger Martella.

GE Vernova is a global energy company with power, electrification and wind segments that completed a spin-off from General Electric in 2024 with the goal of accelerating the energy transition.

Roger explains why electrification was a big theme at Climate Week NYC in 2026, and how the company is using electrification to support energy access and decarbonization goals around the world — including in underserved communities and the Global South.

"A lot of discussion this week is: How do we electrify the planet so people have more access to affordable, reliable, sustainable electricity," Roger says. "The more we put investments onto the grid, the more we're electrifying the planet, the more we're helping decarbonize."

Keeping up with the pace and scale of the world's electricity demands will require a growing energy workforce and robust public-public partnerships, Roger says. He describes a new level of optimism at Climate Week NYC in 2026 — alongside a focus on policy durability and finding common ground.

"Policy cycles come and go. We've all been through Groundhog Day, where we're in favor of one thing, and then we're against it later," he says. "So, a lot of discussion this week of: How do we protect the core, how do we come to things that everyone agrees on."

We conducted this interview at The Nest Campus in New York City, where the All Things Sustainable is an official media partner.

Further reading: Climate Week NYC takeaways from S&P Global Energy | S&P Global

Listen to other episodes in our CSO Insights podcast series, where we talk to Chief Sustainability Officers across industries and geographies: CSO Insights by All Things Sustainable - YouTube

Copyright ©2026 by S&P Global

DISCLAIMER

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk.

Any unauthorized use, facilitation or encouragement of a third party's unauthorized use (including without limitation copy, distribution, transmission or modification, use as part of generative artificial intelligence or for training any artificial intelligence models) of this Podcast or any related information is not permitted without S&P Global's prior consent subject to appropriate licensing and shall be deemed an infringement, violation, breach or contravention of the rights of S&P Global or any applicable third-party (including any copyright, trademark, patent, rights of privacy or publicity or any other proprietary rights).

This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.

S&P GLOBAL EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.