Carbon lock-in happens when fossil fuel-intensive systems cause delay or prevent the transition to low-carbon alternatives.
Carbon lock-in can take place in every sector and industry, and from the local to global level through multiple types of mechanisms. Once intentionally long-lived infrastructure, facilities and equipment are installed, it can take years or even decades before they are eventually replaced.
If they are carbon-intensive, their lifetime greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions become enormous.
