Whose Carbon is Burnable?

The document argues that a rapid decline in fossil fuel combustion is necessary to limit global warming to 1.5 or 2 °C, but warns that the resulting economic disruption could undermine the political consensus needed for such a transition. It emphasizes the need to balance the phase-out of fossil fuels with expanding energy access for basic needs and economic development, particularly in developing countries, while supporting those economically dependent on extraction. The author suggests that a fair, cooperative approach to minimizing transitional hardship is essential for the feasibility of an ambitious decarbonization process.

• To limit global warming to 1.5 or 2 °C, carbon emissions and fossil fuel combustion must decrease rapidly, though the deep integration of fossil fuels in the economy creates a risk of significant transitional disruption.
• The phase-out of fossil fuels must occur simultaneously with the expansion of energy services for economic development and basic needs, especially within developing countries.
• Failure to cooperate and fairly distribute the costs of the transition may lead to undue hardship for some, which could destroy the political consensus required for an ambitious decarbonization effort.

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (2018). Whose Carbon is Burnable? https://www.sei.org/publications/whose-carbon-is-burnable/

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. Whose Carbon is Burnable? 2018. https://www.sei.org/publications/whose-carbon-is-burnable/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=Whose Carbon is Burnable? |date=1 September 2018 |url=https://www.sei.org/publications/whose-carbon-is-burnable/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stockholmenvironmentinstitute2018whose, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{Whose Carbon is Burnable?}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2018}, month = sep, url = {https://www.sei.org/publications/whose-carbon-is-burnable/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }