Carbon Major: Major Problem

Taken from Heede, 2013

Here is a graph. Like many carbon emission graphs, it shows the almost exponential increase in anthropogenic emissions since the industrial revolution, but here we will focus on the big red line. This shows the emissions of just 90 entities, known as the carbon majors. That is 90 companies that have emitted two thirds of all carbon emissions since 1850 – a whopping 914 billion tonnes of CO₂-equivalent.

In a paper by Richard Heede published last month, he analyses who should be responsible for our historic carbon emissions. Logically those who have thrived from the destruction of our planet should be the first to step up and save it.

In 1992 the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was initiated, placing the responsibility of our historic emissions in the hands of a group of nations known collectively as Annex 1. These consist of the wealthiest countries around the world, who have become so from the energy provided from fossil fuels. Richard puts forward a new approach in his analysis. By tracking down the emissions to their primary source it would appear that not all of the carbon majors are within the Annex 1 nations.

An updated framework targeting oil, natural gas and coal companies is in order; all that money they have earned from destroying the Earth should now be used to help mitigate the damage they have caused. These entities have the technology and funding to make the step to a more sustainable future.

I recently attended a careers evening with an oil company, whose name I will not mention. Sadly they appeared to have no intention of making any change, claiming that oil was needed now more than ever.

I will leave you on a lighter note; here is a company really making a difference to how they are running things!