What it is
Published in 2021 by legendary venture capitalist John Doerr, this book applies his OKR (Objectives and Key Results) framework to the climate crisis. It identifies six key objectives across electrification, transportation, food, nature, industry, and carbon removal, each with specific, measurable key results and deadlines. The accompanying website (speedandscale.com) tracks progress in real time.
Why we picked this
Where Drawdown tells you what to do, Speed and Scale tells you how fast and by when. Doerr's investor mindset cuts through ideology to focus on what is measurable and fundable. The real-time tracker adds accountability that most climate plans lack.
Key takeaways
- 86% of newly commissioned renewable energy capacity in 2022 had lower costs than the cheapest new fossil fuel alternative in the same country.
- The book sets a target of reaching 50% clean electricity globally by 2025 and 90% by 2035, with specific investment milestones for each sector.
- All fossil fuel demand (coal, oil, gas) is projected to peak before 2030 under IEA stated policies, making the economic transition inevitable regardless of policy ambition.