2 top energy execs share why the oil-price rebound won’t derail clean-energy investment

2 top energy execs share why the oil-price rebound won’t derail clean-energy investment

Oil prices have rebounded significantly since last year's pandemic-driven plunge.

You might think that would be bad for clean energy. But contrary to expectations, energy executives say that it's actually good news for clean-energy investments.

Oil giants like Shell have turned a close eye to clean energy and created new targets to reduce the 'intensity' of emissions over the next three decades.

Other corporations like Facebook are joining in by buying huge amounts of solar and wind power. Smaller startups have in the meantime made progress on breakthrough technologies like batteries that last for days “” a key component to transitioning to cleaner energy. 

The new administration has also signaled that clean energy is a key priority. President Joe Biden set forth an ambitious climate-change agenda, and investment in clean-tech is booming. Energy executives told Insider they're watching closely and hope to see alignment of regulatory authorities and support to offshore wind industries among other moves from the new president.

Insider's Benji Jones gathered four top executives in the energy industry for a live roundtable earlier this month to talk about how Big Oil can make good on its promises, how to generate returns for shareholders while pivoting into cleaner energy products, and which breakthrough