CLIFF conducts research on how to phase out fossil fuels by addressing the key

investors and issues associated with leaving fossil fuels underground (LFFU) . In this

workshop, we hope to further examine the questions: How can a better policy

environment be developed, across sectors, to facilitate LFFU, and how can agents of

change and countervailing powers contribute to accelerating an equitable phase -out?

Rapidly phasing out fossil fuels, as is needed to mitigate the worst impacts of climate

change, will require radical transformation of major stakeholders in the fossil fuel

empire, including oil and gas companies, governments, and investors. Doing so in a

way which accounts for the many justice implications of climate change will require

rethinking and challenging many of the principles and institutions which govern these

actors. Working towards a just transition poses many challenges and uncertainties (fai rly

distributing the losses associated with a fossil fuel phase out, implementing a just

transition for workers, ensuring access to the needed finance, among others). For

example, the imminent stranding of assets in the Global North to fulfill committed

climate targets may encourage leapfrogging in the Global South where FF are newly

found and used to avoid and/or build up such risk. However, (short term) profits and

contracts, amongst others, may prevent such a leapfrog. In this workshop, we will bring

together experts working on climate change and phasing out fossil fuels across a range

of sectors, to examine the norms, regulations, and countervailing powers which govern

and guide the fossil fuel sector and its stakeholders, the ways in which these policies

hinder phase-out. We will ask, what changes or disruptions are needed to enable an

equitable and rapid transition away from fossil fuels?

The CLIFF Project: May 2024 Workshop