WATCH: 4 top energy execs dish on Big Oil’s reputation, the breakthrough tech we need, and why surging oil prices are actually good for clean energy

WATCH: 4 top energy execs dish on Big Oil’s reputation, the breakthrough tech we need, and why surging oil prices are actually good for clean energy

The global energy industry has been rooted in fossil fuels for centuries. Now, its largest companies, including oil giants like Shell, have made big promises to clean it up “” partly in response to investor pressure. 

Plenty of other firms are chipping in to help. Large corporations like Facebook are buying huge amounts of solar and wind power, and startups are making progress on breakthrough technologies like batteries that last for days.

Plus, President Joe Biden has set forth the most ambitious climate-change agenda in the nation's history, and investment in clean-tech is booming. 

On March 8, Insider brought together four top executives in the energy industry for a live roundtable, moderated by senior energy reporter Benji Jones. Jones spoke with the panelists 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 technologies are needed to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. 

Panelists included: Urvi Parekh,Facebook's head of renewable energy; Mateo Jaramillo, Form Energy's cofounder and CEO;  Shell's EVP for renewables and energy solutions, Elisabeth Brinton; and Francois Austin partner at Oliver Wyman in the UK and head of the group's energy practice.

The following is a transcript. It has been