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TRANSCRIPT
The Climate Responsibilities of Industrial Carbon Producers
Peter C. FrumhoffUnion of Concerned Scientists
Our Common Future Under Climate ChangeParis
10 July 2015
“common but differentiatedresponsibilities” among nations
UNFCCC 1992
Mill
ion
To
nn
es
CO
2e
How Did Fossil Fuel Companies Respond to the Scientific Evidence of the Climate Risks
Posed By Their Products?
May 20th 1997Stanford University
…[T]here is now an effective
consensus among the world’s
leading scientists…that there is a
discernible human influence on the
climate…. [I]t would be unwise and
potentially dangerous to ignore
the mounting concern. We in BP…
alone could not resolve the
problem. But that does not mean
we should do nothing. …We have a
responsibility to act [and] BP
accepts that responsibility…”
“Rising greenhouse gas emissions pose,
significant risks to society and ecosystems.”
ExxonMobil 2014
American Petroleum Institute
API
American Legislative Exchange Council
ALEC
Western States Petroleum Association
WSPA
20142015
“Climate change is a historical phenomenon and the debate will continue on the significance of
natural and anthropogenic contributions.”
ALEC 2014
4
6
8
10
12
14
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035
GtC
Carbon Emissions From Fossil Fuels
0
IEA450
BP
Shell–1
Shell–2
ExxonMobil
Historic Emissions
2°C
Both through their business models and their political and social advocacy, fossil energy companies continue to promote a long-term reliance on fossil fuels that commits us to a dangerously warming world.
What should society expect “responsible” companies to do?
Stop supporting disinformation
Unequivocally support policies consistent with avoiding warming above 2 C.
Pay a fair share of the damage and adaptation costs
Transparently report on carbon impacts of their investments, political lobbying, material climate risks
Source: Kulp et al 2014
Sea Level Rise Added $2 Billion to Sandy’s Toll in NY City
Source: Ekwurzel et al 2015
Source: Ekwurzel et al 2015
Summer 2003 Paris, France
