Library | ESG issues
Fossil Fuel Industry
The fossil fuel industry includes coal, crude oil, and natural gas, which are carbon-intensive energy sources formed from ancient organic material. Their extraction and use are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, environmental destruction, and climate change. In the finance industry, fossil fuels present both risks and opportunities, as investors assess regulatory challenges, transition risks, stranded asset potential, and shifting market demand while also exploring opportunities in cleaner energy alternatives and low-carbon transition strategies.
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Interactive data tool on Middle East energy reliance
Developed by the International Energy Agency, this interactive tool tracks global energy market impacts stemming from Middle East conflicts. It monitors commodity shipping flows, policy responses, and supply disruptions.
Global MDB Investments in Petrochemicals Tracker
An interactive database and map developed by IEEFA and IAP that tracks over USD 10 billion in petrochemical investments from 16 multilateral development banks, highlighting institutional exposure to fossil-fuel-intensive projects.
Oil market report series
This monthly series provides a comprehensive analysis of global oil market fundamentals, including supply, demand, refinery throughputs, and price developments. Produced by the International Energy Agency, it offers detailed data and forecasts to support evidence-based decision-making. This document is part of a benchmark series.
Faire Fonds Database
The Faire Fonds Database is a screening tool from Facing Finance and urgewald that analyses thousands of retail funds for controversial holdings. It identifies exposure to sectors like fossil fuels and weapons while highlighting potential greenwashing in ESG-labelled products.
Global Methane Tracker 2026
The International Energy Agency report analyses global energy-related methane emissions, highlighting 124 million tonnes emitted in 2025. It examines abatement strategies, satellite data advancements and policy trends. The research underscores that 30% of emissions could be reduced at no net cost, advocating for robust international standards and increased transparency.
IEA Statistics Search
The IEA Statistics Search is an authoritative data portal providing global energy analysis, projections, and historical statistics. It supports finance professionals in assessing energy market trends, ESG metrics, and investment risks during the clean energy transition.
2026 IEA Energy Prices Database
The 2026 IEA Energy Prices Database provides comprehensive global data on energy prices, investment trends, and capital flows. It supports finance professionals in assessing market volatility, conducting risk analysis, and evaluating energy sector investments.
The price of gas: The hidden costs of European banks’ support for gas power expansion
This report examines how 24 European banks provided US$41.9 billion to gas power developers between 2021 and 2024. It highlights significant health impacts, including nearly 3,000 premature deaths in Europe, and warns that expanding gas infrastructure undermines global climate targets and exposes economies to price volatility.
AI data centers and electricity demand: Taming the energy guzzlers
This paper examines AI data centre electricity demand and its costs for ratepayers and the environment. It finds that Big Tech market capitalisations have risen far above predicted levels since ChatGPT's 2022 launch, while data centres drive up electricity prices and fossil fuel use. Regulatory reforms and innovations are recommended.
From climate crisis to insurance crisis: Designing solidarity-based natural disaster insurance
This report examines rising climate-related insurance losses and Germany's lack of comprehensive natural disaster coverage, with only 57% of residential buildings insured against such risks. It analyses international public-private insurance models — particularly France's CatNat system — and recommends a solidarity-based approach alongside measures to hold the fossil fuel industry financially accountable.
Credible climate financing and fossil fuel phase-out commitments are possible but remain marginal amongst major financial institutions
WBA's analysis of 400 major financial institutions finds that transition planning is emerging but capital allocation to low-carbon solutions and fossil fuel phase-out commitments remain marginal. Only two institutions demonstrate robust fossil-fuel restrictions, and low-carbon activities account for an average of just 2.7% of total financed activities globally.
The differential impacts of critical mineral prices and oil prices on the economy
This paper uses a neoclassical open-economy growth model to compare the macroeconomic impacts of critical mineral and oil price shocks. Oil price increases are found to be more contractionary for output and welfare, while mineral price shocks primarily affect investment and external balance sheets, warranting macroprudential and fiscal policy responses.
Don't mess with the ETS: Priorities for the upcoming EU emissions trading system revision
Carbon Market Watch presents a 10-point plan for improving the EU Emissions Trading System ahead of its upcoming revision. The report argues against weakening the cap, free allocation phase-out, or the Market Stability Reserve, and calls for expanded coverage of aviation, shipping, and biomass, alongside eliminating fossil fuel subsidies from ETS revenues.
Boom and bust coal series
The Boom and Bust series is an annual research series that tracks the global coal plant pipeline using data from the Global Coal Plant Tracker. It examines trends in coal power development, construction, commissioning, retirements and policy developments across countries and regions, providing an overview of changes in the global coal sector.
The battle over energy security: Challenging the fossil fuel playbook
This report by InfluenceMap analyses how the fossil fuel industry uses geopolitical instability to promote energy security narratives. It highlights the industry's historical playbook of delaying the renewable transition and outlines current counter-arguments from renewable sectors advocating for electrification to ensure genuine energy independence and affordability.
Sheltering from oil shocks: Measures to reduce impacts on households and businesses
This International Energy Agency report outlines measures to reduce the impact of oil supply disruptions on households and businesses. It details short-term and structural strategies across road and air transport, industry, and cooking fuels to lower demand and shield vulnerable consumers from rising energy costs.
