Tracing anthropogenic carbon dioxide and methane emissions to fossil fuel and cement producers, 1854–2010

Abstract

This paper presents a quantitative analysis of the historic fossil fuel and cement production records of the 50 leading investor-owned, 31 state-owned, and 9 nation-state producers of oil, natural gas, coal, and cement from as early as 1854 to 2010. This analysis traces emissions totaling 914 GtCO 2 e-63 % of cumulative worldwide emissions of industrial CO 2 and methane between 1751 and 2010-to the 90 "carbon major" entities based on the carbon content of marketed hydrocarbon fuels (subtracting for non-energy uses), process CO 2 from cement manufacture, CO 2 from flaring, venting, and own fuel use, and fugitive or vented methane. Cumulatively, emissions of 315 GtCO 2 e have been traced to investor-owned entities, 288 GtCO 2 e to state-owned enterprises, and 312 GtCO 2 e to nation-states. Of these emissions, half has been emitted since 1986. The carbon major entities possess fossil fuel reserves that will, if produced and emitted, intensify anthropogenic climate change. The purpose of the analysis is to understand the historic emissions as a factual matter, and to invite consideration of their possible relevance to public policy.

Climate change, climate justice and the application of probabilistic event attribution to summer heat extremes in the California Central Valley

“…It has been argued that this cost should not be taken up solely by the general public through taxation (Allen 2003). Instead, a different route can be taken if multinational corporations that extract carbon from the ground are included in the conversation as accountable for the impacts of climate change (Heede 2014). Thus, PEA can be focused more directly on changes in the environment incurred by carbon pollution traceable to major industrial carbon producers, allowing for policy-makers within developed nations to consider compensation and adaptation without solely relying on public funds.…”

The climate responsibilities of industrial carbon producers

“…Heede (2014) analyzed historic production records of the ninety largest producers of coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as cement, from 1854 to 2010, calculating the carbon content of their marketed fuels (subtracting for non-energy uses), process CO 2 from cement manufacturing, CO 2 from direct flaring, venting, and fuel use, and fugitive or vented methane. Of total emissions of industrial CO 2 and methane from 1751 to 2010, 63 % were traced to 83 of the world's largest producers of coal, oil and natural gas, and seven largest manufacturers of cement.…”

“…2 Cumulative emissions from 1854 to 2010 traced to historic fossil fuel production by the largest investorowned and state-owned oil, gas, and coal producers, in percent of global industrial CO 2 and methane emissions since 1751. Data source: Heede (2014) could not resolve the problem. But that does not mean we should do nothing.…”

“…First, we explore the conceptual territory of responsibility and the historical evidence that social change has resulted when notions of corporate responsibility have shifted in response to changing social values. We then present empirical evidence for the role of specific fossil fuel corporations, including many of the 90 largest industrial carbon producers whose products are responsible for nearly two-thirds of all known industrial greenhouse gas emissions since 1751 (Heede 2014). We emphasize that more than half of all industrial emissions of carbon dioxide have occurred since 1988: after the establishment of the IPCC, after leading scientists had stated publicly that anthropogenic climate change was underway, and after a vigorous and visible public discussion of its causes and risks had begun.…”

All hands on deck: polycentric governance for climate change insurance

“…This human-induced climate change can be attributed to the oil, gas, and coal companies, according to the carbon content of the fuels they extract and sell (Heede 2014). This attribution to fossil fuel companies matters, because it allows the internalization of costs at the beginning of the causal chain.…”