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
Tens of thousands of animals and plants could become extinct within the coming decades as a direct result of climate change, according to a new study. Scientists believe that if atmospheric levels of CO2 double - as expected by 2100 - then biodiversity will be devastated, leading to a "catastrophic" loss of species.
Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is said to be set for a show down after Democratic lawmakers unveiled legislation last week aimed at reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. The bill, backed by the Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and a whole host of environmental groups, sets firm limits on carbon dioxide emissions and goes further than recommendations made by Schwarzenegger's Climate Action Team. So Arnie is now fighting both oil companies and environmentalists on the issue. Who is going to win?
Given what we have been saying about BP on the site recently, it is amusing to read a a different angle from Thomas Borelli, the editor of FreeEnterpriser.com and a senior fellow at The National Center for Public Policy Research, about BP's advertising campaign.
A typically insightful piece from Anna Zalik and Michael Watts from the University of California on the deteriorating situation in the Niger Delta. Called "Imperial Oil: Petroleum Politics in the Nigerian Delta and the New Scramble for Africa", it is worthwhile reading if you are interested in the effect of US geo-politics on Africa. Read it here.
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.
The countries that produce oil and gas from the North Sea (Norway, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark) rank among the countries with the greatest economic capacity and responsibility to rapidly phase out extraction, and to finance just transitions to renewable energy solutions domestically and abroad.
This report finds that the EU’s demand for gas is set to decline significantly in line with climate targets, eliminating the need to expand supply from new fields or infrastructure. In the report the authors model how EU’s gas demand matches future supply in various forecasted scenarios.