GLOBAL POLICY

The Paris climate goals demand a rapid, just transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. We’re pushing governments to lead the way by adopting policies to end oil and gas production.

OVERVIEW OF WORK

In order to achieve climate goals, governments and other decision makers must support a just and equitable move away from fossil fuels. We are pushing for precedent-setting leadership from governments to put policies in place to manage the decline of oil and gas and ensure a just transition for fossil-fuel dependent workers and communities.

Building from a growing group of first mover governments, we are pressuring for increasing numbers of national and regional governments to end new licenses and permits for oil and gas production, and to develop plans to wind down their existing production over time.

LATEST PROGRAM POSTS

The G8 Summit in St. Petersburg is now just weeks away but last weekend saw the city host a meeting of the G8’s Finance Ministers. Although there was said to be “plenty of smiles and warm words about friendship and collaboration”, the politicians failed to find unity over the sensitive issue of energy security.

Some smaller species of animals, such as squirrels and birds, are changing genetically in order to adapt to rapid climate change, scientists now believe. "Studies show that over the past several decades, rapid climate change has led to heritable, genetic changes in animal populations," argues Christina Holzapfel, from the University of Oregon in Eugene in a paper in Science published today.

I wonder how long it might take to change the genetic code of some politicians to wake up to the dangers of climate change. Too long, I fear.

The United Nations is coming under severe pressure from scientists and campaigners to acknowledge the devastating effect of climate change on the world's most fragile ecological sites. These include the barrier reefs of Belize and Australia and glacier parks in Nepal, Peru and the Rockies. Although they are supposed to be protected, they are showing signs of the effects of global warming.

A leaked email has revealed that BP faces criminal investigation into the huge 270,000 gallon oil spill the company caused in Alaska in March. Although  BP received the subpoena in April from a Grand Jury, it has only now become public, with the leaking of an email.
The news wiped three percent of BP's share price and threatens BP's carefully crafted image as a "green" oil company. If BP is found guilty, it could lead to senior managers being imprisoned. I wonder if BP CEO, Sir John Browne is having sleepless nights.

LATEST PROGRAM RESEARCH

This briefing assesses Shell’s fossil fuel extraction plans in light of Shell's appeal of a Dutch court verdict requiring the company to take responsibility for its climate pollution. Our analysis shows that Shell continues to plan for levels of oil and gas production and investment that undermine the world’s chances of curtailing climate disaster.

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