Export of Fossil-Fuel Emissions

Context (TH):
At COP29, activists and experts called for holding fossil fuel-exporting nations accountable for emissions generated abroad, particularly in developing countries. This issue has gained global attention as the environmental impact of fossil fuel exports is increasingly recognized in climate negotiations.

Advantages of Fossil-Fuel Exports

• Economic Growth:
  Fossil fuel exports significantly contribute to the GDP of exporting countries, creating jobs and boosting local industries, especially in regions dependent on oil, coal, and natural gas production.
• Affordable Energy:
  Developing nations benefit from the availability of cheaper energy, which helps fuel their industrial growth and economic development. Fossil fuel imports can be more affordable compared to developing local energy resources.
• High Efficiency:
  U.S. thermal coal, for example, is valued for its high heat content, making it particularly efficient in manufacturing processes, especially in countries where energy demand is high.

Need to Check Fossil-Fuel Exports

• Greenwashing:
  Many fossil fuel-exporting nations focus on their domestic climate progress while simultaneously shifting the responsibility for emissions abroad. This creates a misleading image of environmental commitment.
• Rising Emissions:
  In 2022, U.S. fossil fuel exports led to over 2 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions abroad, which represents about a third of U.S. domestic emissions. These emissions contribute to global warming, even though they are not counted in domestic targets.
• Global Climate Goals:
  While the Paris Agreement (2015) focuses on reducing domestic emissions, it does not include emissions from exported fossil fuels. This oversight allows significant emissions to go unaccounted for in international climate discussions.
• Impact on Developing Nations:
  Fossil fuels exported to developing countries are often used to power industries. This leads to local pollution, health crises (e.g., respiratory diseases), and environmental degradation, exacerbating existing challenges in these nations.
• Social Inequality:
  Poor communities are disproportionately affected by pollution from fossil fuels but often lack the means to seek justice or relocate to less polluted areas, contributing to social inequality and injustice.
• Environmental Damage:
  The reliance on coal causes significant environmental harm, including higher emissions of particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. Additionally, the mining, transport, and burning of fossil fuels lead to ecosystem degradation and habitat destruction.
• International Tensions:
  The issue of emissions accountability often causes tensions between countries, with fossil fuel exporters arguing that the responsibility lies with the importing nations. This hampers global cooperation on climate change.

Challenges in Tackling Exported Emissions

• Economic Dependencies:
  Fossil fuel exports are vital to the economies of many exporting countries. These economies rely heavily on revenue from the export of oil, coal, and natural gas, making it difficult to reduce exports without significant economic repercussions.
• High Costs of Alternatives:
  Transitioning to renewable energy or decarbonized technologies requires substantial investment. Both exporting and importing countries face significant financial challenges in shifting from fossil fuel dependency to cleaner alternatives.
• Political Resistance:
  Exporting nations often resist accountability, arguing that the responsibility for emissions lies with the countries importing fossil fuels. This creates diplomatic and political challenges in addressing global emissions.

Way Forward

• Strengthened Legal Frameworks:
  Countries should introduce stricter pollution norms, enforce robust environmental audits, and implement regulatory frameworks that ensure fossil fuel exports comply with international environmental standards. This will restore public trust in the export process and reduce harmful emissions.
• International Commitments:
  Future COP summits should include exported emissions in global climate accountability. This will require nations to assess the environmental impact of their fossil fuel exports and take responsibility for the emissions they contribute globally.
• Domestic Actions in Exporting Countries:
  Exporting countries must take domestic actions to gradually reduce fossil fuel production, invest in renewable energy infrastructure, and adopt sustainable practices to lessen reliance on fossil fuel exports.
• Support for Developing Nations:
  Developed countries and international organizations should provide financial and technical support to help developing nations transition their industries to renewable energy sources. This can include providing access to cleaner technologies, offering financial incentives, and facilitating the adoption of alternative fuels, such as refuse-derived fuels (RDF).