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Principles for global fossil fuel phase-out

To stay below 1.5°C of warming and ensure a livable future, emissions must peak by 2025 and halve by 2030. To achieve this, all actors must row-in together for a well-managed and just transition from fossil fuels to clean energy.

We Mean Business Coalition has developed a set of principles, with advice from leading experts including SBTi and ETC, that establish a North-Star for fossil fuel phase-out across oil and gas producers, corporate energy consumers, government and finance. The principles outline the clear and credible action needed from these key actors to decarbonize the global energy system by the 2040s at the very latest.

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Principles for global fossil fuel phase-out

Principles for companies consuming fossil fuels – including power generators:

Commit to phase out across operations the use of unabated thermal coal and unabated oil and gas by 2040 at the latest

Set a credible net-zero commitment and publish a Climate Transition Action Plan (CTAP) showing:

a. Phase-out plan that includes interim reduction targets for fossil fuel use

 

b. Phase-in plan and targets for scaling clean energy that supports the phase-out of unabated fossil fuels by 2040

Commit to getting a majority of Tier 1 suppliers to set credible net-zero commitments well before 2030

  • Tools and initiatives to follow the principles for demand-side companies

    The starting point for credible climate action is The 4 A’s of Climate Leadership. It guides companies through their entire climate journey from ambition to action, advocacy and accountability, including specific guidance and resources on nature, a just transition,  responsible policy engagement and tackling Scope 3 emissions.

    These are some of the key initiatives and platforms featured within The 4 A’s of Climate Leadership that can enable companies to take action in line with the demand principles.

    Set a credible net-zero commitment with:  

    – the Science Based Targets initiative  

    – the SME Climate Hub – for small and medium-sized enterprises

    Publish a Climate Transition Action Plan:  

    – We Mean Business Coalition, CDP, Ceres, and EDF have produced consolidated guidance on what a climate transition action plan should include, with actionable templates.

    – Companies disclosing through CDP can use this technical note (pdf) for guidance on demonstrating that they have a credible climate transition action plan in place.

    Platforms and initiatives to scale up clean alternatives: 

    – Decarbonize heavy industry with the Mission Possible Partnership

    – Join the companies switching to 100% renewable energy with RE100. If in the US, join the Clean Energy Buyers Association.

    – Accelerate the transition to electric vehicles across weight classes with EV100, CEVA, EV100+ or the Sustainable Freight Buyers Alliance

    – Drive energy efficiency and achieve net-zero buildings with EP100 and decarbonize buildings owned and operated through the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment

    – Signal demand for low carbon alternatives through ConcreteZero and SteelZero

    – Join leading companies committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040 through The Climate Pledge, to accelerate cross-sector collaboration and joint action

    – Engage Tier 1 suppliers to decarbonize via The Supplier Cascade

Principles for companies supplying oil and gas

Commit to no new oil and gas exploration or development of new oil and gas fields

Reach near-zero methane emissions by 2030 at the latest

Publish a Climate Transition Action Plan (CTAP) showing:

a. % decline of existing production volume by 2030 and 2040, reaching zero by 2050 (2021 baseline)

 

b. % decline of oil and gas products for energy use by 2030 and 2040 (2021 baseline)

 

c. % decline of unabated operational emissions by 2030 and 2040 (2021 baseline)

 

d. % of CAPEX dedicated to clean solutions every five years

Set a science-based target (once the SBTi standard is available)

Principles for financial institutions

Immediately end new financial flows to coal value chain and all new oil and gas exploration or development of new oil and gas fields.

Publish a Climate Transition Action Plan (CTAP).

Adopt timebound restrictions for the phase out of all existing financial flows:

a. 2030 at the latest for oil companies not aligned with 1.5°C and unabated oil projects

 

b. 2040 at the latest for gas companies not aligned with 1.5°C and unabated gas projects

 

c. 2030 at the latest for coal projects and companies in high and high-middle income countries; and 2040 at the latest for all other countries

Increase the ratio of financial flows in clean energy solutions (vs. fossil) every year at the portfolio level.

Set a science-based target (once the SBTi FI Net Zero standard is available in 2024)

Principles for national governments

Set targets and timelines for the phase out of unabated fossil fuels in line with 1.5 °C supported by national plans and policies to ensure a just transition for affected workers and communities. Wealthier countries, as historic emitters, have the responsibility to be first movers.

Commit to reaching 100% decarbonized power systems by 2035 in advanced economies and by 2040 for other countries, at the latest.

Support countries in the Global South in diversifying their economies and developing net-zero pathways, including through the provision of finance and capacity-building for just transition planning.

Act to reorient public and private financial flows away from fossil fuels, including by setting a meaningful price on carbon and reforming and repurposing fossil fuel subsidies.

Download the principles

Read our paper for the complete guidance for all actors.
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