Countries tasked with leading efforts to increase climate action increasing oil and gas extraction by 33%
As major fossil fuel producers and guardians of the 1.5°C temperature limit, the Troika should lead a global conversation on how producers can use their NDCs to disentangle their economies from fossil fuels, instead of doubling down on fossil fuel expansion. The Troika can’t have it both ways. It’s time to choose: fossil fuel expansion or a livable future.
Ahead of the Troika (UAE, Azerbaijan, and Brazil) high level event on the Roadmap to Mission 1.5, Romain Ioualalen, Oil Change International Global Policy Manager, said:
“The COP Troika could prove valuable if it catalyzes more ambitious policies to limit warming to 1.5°C. However, expanding fossil fuel production is fundamentally incompatible with an ambition to submit ‘1.5-aligned Nationally Determined Contributions’ (NDCs). Such actions are not only hypocritical but also set a dangerous precedent for other nations, undermining global efforts to address climate change.
“Oil Change International analysis of industry data [1] reveals that as of 2023, the UAE, Brazil, and Azerbaijan, respectively, are the 7th, 11th, and 28th largest oil and gas producers globally, and are on track to collectively increase production by one third by 2035. This trajectory flies in the face of climate science. The IEA’s 1.5°C scenario calls for a 43% reduction in oil and gas production by 2035 globally. The majority of fossil fuel expansion is happening in Global North countries such as the United States. While these countries must phase out fossil fuels the fastest and provide finance on fair terms for a just energy transition, Troika countries shouldn’t get a free pass for their dangerous fossil fuel expansion plans.
“As major fossil fuel producers and guardians of the 1.5°C temperature limit, the Troika should lead a global conversation on how producers can use their NDCs to disentangle their economies from fossil fuels, instead of doubling down on fossil fuel expansion. The Troika can’t have it both ways. It’s time to choose: fossil fuel expansion or a livable future. The world is watching.”
Note to the editor:
- [1] Oil Change International analysis of data from Rystad Energy. The data shows Troika countries are on track to increase their combined oil and gas production by 33% by 2035, compared to 2023 levels. By country, the projected increase in production to 2035 is 38% for Brazil, 37% for the UAE, and 4% for Azerbaijan.
- If you have additional questions about our data, please reach out to Valentina Stackl, OCI Communications Manager, valentina@oilchange.org.