Phasing out fossil fuels equitably – Equity concerns in banning fossil fuel extraction

Source: The post phasing out fossil fuels equitably has been created, based on the article “Equity concerns in banning fossil fuel extraction” published in “The Hindu” on 8th February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 – Environment – Environmental pollution and degradation, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)

News: The article discusses the challenges and debates surrounding the reduction of fossil fuel use to combat climate change. It highlights the different capacities and needs of various countries in transitioning away from fossil fuels, considering economic and legal aspects. Phasing out fossil fuels equitably – Equity concerns in banning fossil fuel extraction

What is The Current State of Climate Change Litigation and Fossil Fuel Policies?

Inadequate Response to Climate Change: Governments and corporations have not effectively tackled climate change, leading to increased climate change litigation worldwide.

Momentum is also growing in favor of a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

For more information on Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Read This Article

Coal Elimination Proposal: An academic proposal recommends ending coal mining and burning by 2030. This aligns with the Production Gap Report, highlighting a discrepancy between current fossil fuel production plans (produce 110% more fossil fuels by 2030) and the Paris Agreement’s goal to limit warming to 1.5° Celsius.

Recent Climate Conferences’ Stance: COP26 in Glasgow (2021) and COP28 in Dubai (2023) focused on reducing coal use and transitioning to net-zero emissions by 2050.

What are The Challenges in Phasing out Fossil Fuels Equitably?

Economic Dependence on Fossil Fuels: Countries like Azerbaijan, Congo, Iraq, Nigeria, Oman, and Timor Leste heavily rely on fossil fuel revenues, making it challenging to phase out without impacting their economies.

Diversification of Economy: Wealthier nations such as Canada, the USA, and the UK have more diversified economies and higher per capita incomes, facilitating easier transition from fossil fuels.

Employment Concerns: In countries with a significant number of jobs tied to the fossil fuel sector, like India, phasing out fossil fuels could lead to major employment challenges.

Aligning with Climate Change Principles: The challenge lies in integrating the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty with the principles of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) of the climate change regime. This involves balancing global objectives with individual countries’ unique circumstances and capacities.

What does International Law Say About Fossil Fuel Use?

Rights to Natural Resources: International law allows states to use their natural resources for economic development.

Obligation to Prevent Harm: There’s a caveat that states must not cause significant harm to other states, especially in the context of trans-boundary natural resources.

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA): The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Pulp Mills Case (2010) declared conducting trans-boundary EIAs as part of customary international law.

Global Commons Uncertainty: The application of these laws to global issues like fossil fuel extraction and its impact on global warming is less clear.

Human Rights Considerations: Western scholars argue for the need to conduct EIAs for fossil fuel extraction’s impact on global warming and its human rights consequences on local and indigenous populations.

Read More UPSC Topics-

What is India’s Situation in The Fossil Fuel Transition?

Heavy Reliance on Fossil Fuels: India predominantly depends on fossil fuels for energy, with a significant part of its power sector rooted in coal.

Employment Impact: Nearly 3.6 million people across 159 districts are employed directly or indirectly in the coal mining and power sector.

COP26 Stance: India advocated for “phasing down” rather than “phasing out” coal, indicating a preference for a gradual transition.

Subsidy Scrutiny: India’s subsidies on kerosene oil have been criticized for inconsistency with the Paris Agreement, highlighting the complexities in balancing economic needs with environmental commitments.

Question for practice:

Examine India’s stance on coal transition and its impact, considering heavy reliance on fossil fuels and employment effects.