There is a growing recognition that if we are to avoid dangerous climate change, most fossil fuel reserves will need to be left in the ground. Achieving this outcome, however, will be a daunting challenge. For many countries, fossil fuel extraction and trade are central to energy security and economic development. There is also limited knowledge about climate-related policy interventions that might affect future patterns of fossil-fuel production.
Climate policy-makers, both at the domestic and international levels, have focused almost exclusively on curtailing demand for fossil fuels energy, with scant attention, until recently, to the supply side. Research by SEI and others suggests that, for economic and political reasons, effective climate change mitigation requires both demand- and supply-oriented approaches.
We need to better understand how the institutions, investments and infrastructure that support fossil fuel production can lock in dependence on fossil fuels, and identify strategies to help societies move away from such dependency. Such insights can help policy-makers, international organizations, businesses and civil society to develop more effective climate strategies.
This SEI Initiative aims to create a platform for high-quality, timely, and policy-relevant research and communications on various facets of fossil fuel development, and its implications for climate change mitigation and development. Building on ongoing SEI activities and partnerships, the initiative will take a multi-disciplinary approach, focusing on issues such as:
- emissions implications of new fossil fuel infrastructure;
- constraints on fossil fuel development (e.g. water availability, local community impacts and competing pressures);
- geopolitical dynamics of fossil-fuel interests at national and international levels;
- domestic and international policy options for inducing a shift away from economic dependence on fossil-fuel production, taking into account equity perspectives and development needs.
The initiative builds on ongoing SEI work on fossil fuel development, geopolitics, and economy and climate, which has involved extensive new research and analysis and produced several publications. The initiative also builds on SEI’s partnerships and knowledge-sharing and capacity-building activities around the world, and will engage recognized leaders on climate change mitigation, energy modelling, political economy, equity and the climate change negotiations.
Our goal is to build a thriving community of practice and to contribute to practical policy development and implementation at the national and international levels.
California has numerous options to limit oil production and send a timely and important signal on climate, according to a new analysis.
Ending the production of coal, oil and natural gas from public lands and waters could significantly reduce CO2 emissions by the US, according to a new study.
A proposed methanol plant in Washington State could increase global greenhouse gas emissions and is likely inconsistent with a low-carbon future.
Norway has some of the most ambitious emissions policies in the world, but is opening oil fields that cannot pay back in a safe climate future.
A Bureau of Ocean Energy Management report shows ceasing new Arctic and Gulf of Mexico drilling could decrease global CO2 by over 2 billion tonnes cumulatively.
SEI and Earth Track finds that at 50 USD per barrel, federal and state incentives are decisive in the economic viability of 45% of new crude oil resources.
The past decade has seen the rise of the "keep-it-in-the-ground" movement. What influence will it have on climate policy?
While some of the political dynamics of the coal sector are very specific to Colombia, there are important lessons for transitions away from coal extraction.
Leaders need to start addressing coal, oil and gas production as well as greenhouse gas emissions to prevent dangerous climate change.
Can the international trade system reform fossil fuel subsidies to relieve costs, reduce pollution, improve energy security and tackle climate change?
Efforts to slow the expansion of fossil-fuel infrastructure can forestall entrenched interests and emissions until more far-reaching policies are in place.
The Marrakech talks may not have tackled the gap between global climate goals and fossil fuel production, but governments can show leadership now.
This brief explains the rationale for considering fossil fuel supply under the UNFCCC Talanoa Dialogue, and highlights available policy options.
This brief examines how California could limit the production of its principal energy production and the resulting implications for global GHG emissions.
This article examines the emissions implications of a cessation of new leases for fossil fuel extraction on U.S. federal lands and waters.
This discussion brief explores the possibility of a “climate test” for new industrial development by focusing on a case study in the US State of Washington.
Analysis of the political factors that shape subsidies to coal extraction in Colombia, and why and how those subsidies have been promoted
This journal article describes the growing movement to restrain fossil fuel development and explores the role it plays in climate change policy-making.
How can countries phase-down fossil fuel production within the current architecture of the Paris Agreement?
How can countries more explicitly address the phasing out of fossil fuel production within the current architecture of the Paris Agreement?
This discussion brief evaluates how two tax support measures will boost future oil and gas production in Norway, increasing the country’s fossil fuel exports an
This discussion brief examines the political economy of large-scale coal production in Colombia and its implications for a transition away from coal.
Este resumen de discusión examina la economía política de la extracción de carbón a gran escala en Colombia y sus implicaciones para la transición energética.
This article discusses the possible role of the UNFCCC in tackling fossil fuel subsidies.
The implications of the Paris Agreement, and Norway’s own pledges under it, for oil production, considering the break-even cost of developing different fields
The effect of subsidies on U.S. oil production, focusing on fields that have been discovered but not yet developed, and the climate implications.
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