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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Carbon Impacts Tracer
The Carbon Impacts Tracer is a scientific tool that links CO2 emissions from specific fossil fuel projects and companies to global warming impacts. It enables users to quantify climate consequences such as heat stress, crop loss, and coral degradation.
Economics of demand-side and supply-side climate policies
This research evaluates demand-side and supply-side climate policies, recommending a portfolio that combines carbon use and extraction pricing to mitigate emissions leakage. It emphasises transmission reform, innovation support, and green industrial policies while analysing the domestic and global distributional consequences for low-income and major fossil fuel producing nations.
AI-driven productivity gains enable more CO₂ emissions than they avoid in a global energy–economy model
Research using a global energy-economy model indicates that AI-driven productivity gains increase net annual CO2 emissions by 0.47–1.8 gigatonnes under parallel adoption. Enabled emissions from fossil sectors consistently exceed avoided emissions from renewables. Achieving net reductions requires renewable productivity gains to be four to five times greater than fossil gains.
Limited impacts of shareholder pressure on climate strategy of fossil firms
This research examines shareholder pressure on US fossil fuel firms’ climate strategies. Using NLP to analyse 10-K filings and SEC regulatory changes, it finds limited impact on substantive reforms. Firms often employ symbolic disclosures or procedural tactics to resist decarbonisation, suggesting that mandatory policy is required for transition.
Financing the energy transition: A credit perspective on India’s power sector
This report examines India’s power sector transition from a credit perspective. It highlights the structural divergence between renewable and thermal assets, identifies bottlenecks in domestic debt markets, and recommends strategies to unlock large-scale financing, including the pivotal role of NTPC and the need for deeper institutional investor participation.
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.
