Blog Posts: fossil fuels

Despite growing attention on clean energy, fossil fuels still account for 80 percent of global energy consumption. Here are four ways to cost-effectively make the transition to a clean energy future.

From phasing out coal to banning oil drilling, several nations stepped up their climate action this year. A new timeline tracks climate announcements.

Many people point to renewable energy as the greatest threat facing fossil fuel power plants. New WRI research finds that the real threat may be water scarcity.

Most climate change solutions focus on mitigation—ways to slash emissions as quickly as possible, such as by adopting renewable energy. But research shows these aren't enough. To prevent the worst impacts of climate change, the world will need to reach net-negative emissions, a point at which we're actually removing more carbon from the air than we're putting in.

More Americans now work in solar, wind and energy efficiency than in coal, natural gas and oil. Where these jobs are located may surprise you.

Fuel efficiency standards save Americans money at the pump while cutting pollution and helping automakers stay competitive. Yet the Trump administration is on the verge of calling for their review.

The Trump administration is expected to release an executive order that would direct the EPA to roll back the Clean Power Plan. The move will hurt America's economy, health and security.

Section 1504 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act required that oil, natural gas and mineral extraction companies report payments made to foreign governments. Congress and President Trump eliminated it last week.

A new WRI methodology enables fossil fuel companies to measure and disclose their upstream emissions, an increasingly scrutinized factor for investors and regulators.

At a Senate confirmation hearing, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, President Trump's choice to be Energy Secretary, showed a limited grasp of the relationship between fossil fuels and climate change, and did not make the connection to the need to transition to a low-carbon energy system.