The world’s largest fossil fuel companies are quietly planning dozens of “carbon bomb” oil and gas projects that would push the climate beyond internationally agreed temperature limits, with catastrophic consequences on a global scale.
The lure of colossal gains in the coming years seems irresistible to oil companies, while the world’s climate scientists declared in February that any further delay in reducing fossil fuel use would mean missing our last chance “to ensure a livable and sustainable future for all”. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned world leaders in April: “Our dependence on fossil fuels is killing us.”
The Guardian’s investigation has answered the question of just how dangerous the oil and gas companies’ plans are for the climate.
But there’s another set of questions for politicians and governments that will ultimately affect the course of the climate emergency. Will the world’s governments act to put an end to the oil companies’ gigantic climate gamble? Will rich countries, historically the most responsible for emissions, support a fair transition for developing countries, on the front line of the escalating crisis?
Time is running out.
