Announcements
Announcements
This article examines the emissions implications of a cessation of new leases for fossil fuel extraction on U.S. federal lands and waters.
Avoiding dangerous climate change will require a rapid transition away from fossil fuels. By some estimates, global consumption and production of fossil fuels—particularly coal and oil—will need to end almost entirely within 50 years.
Given the scale of such a transition, nations may need to consider policies that constrain growth in fossil fuel supplies in addition to those that reduce demand.
In this article, the authors examine the emissions implications of a supply-constraining measure that was rapidly gaining momentum in the United States under the Obama administration: ceasing the issuance of new leases for fossil fuel extraction on federal lands and waters.
Such a measure could reduce global carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 280 million tons annually by 2030, comparable to that of other major climate policies adopted or considered by the Obama administration. Our findings suggest that measures to constrain fossil fuel supply—though not currently viable in a US Trump administration—deserve further consideration at subnational levels in the US or by other countries now, and by future US administrations.
Read the article (external link to journal)
Past event / SEI and NextGen Policy hosted a panel discussion to explore whether phasing out oil exploration and production can make good climate policy.
Perspective / As debate continues over limiting oil production, SEI scientists Peter Erickson and Michael Lazarus weigh in on the finer points.
SEI brief / This brief explains the rationale for considering fossil fuel supply under the UNFCCC Talanoa Dialogue, and highlights available policy options.
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