Publication

Fossil materials demand within deep decarbonization scenarios: A feasibility assessment

Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) are cornerstone tools in guiding decarbonization policies. However, the petrochemical sector, which is crucial to the future of oil and gas due to its non-energy fossil feedstock demands, has been overlooked in IAMs. This study aims to evaluate the implications of this under-representation on decarbonization strategies. We assessed the Illustrative Mitigation Pathways from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its Sixth Assessment Report. Our analysis indicates that, without stringent material policies, the feedstock demand can reach unattainable levels from 2050 onwards. This is evidenced by the required disruptive yields of primary oil in feedstocks, which exceed 80 % in some cases. The findings highlight the necessity for improved modelling of the petrochemical sector within IAMs.

Gabriel Cardoso, Alexandre Szklo, Joana Portugal-Pereira, Pedro R.R. Rochedo, Roberto Schaeffer,
Fossil materials demand within deep decarbonization scenarios: A feasibility assessment,
Energy Strategy Reviews,
Volume 54,
2024,
101479,
ISSN 2211-467X,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2024.101479

More publications

Reducing material requirements while decarbonising the Spanish economy: from a green growth to a postgrowth paradigm

30 July 2026

The transition to a low-carbon economy is expected to increase material requirements, as low-carbon technologies (LCTs) typically require more materials than fossil fuel-based energy systems. Here, we extend the MEDEAS-Spain Integrated Assessment Model (IAM) to improve the representation of material requirements, stocks, and flows. Key novelties are: (i) the use

Climate ambition explained: key indicators and net-zero target projections using machine learning

29 July 2026

This study uses advanced machine learning algorithms to analyze the indicators influencing national climate ambition in 2030 emissions targets and net-zero pledges. By focusing on technical and social feasibility, and political credibility, we assess climate ambition of countries through cumulative per capita emissions from 2021 to the net-zero target year.

A harmonised dataset for Earth system foundation models

28 July 2026

Foundation models for Earth systems have so far been trained primarily on physical climate and weather data, with limited representation of the human systems that both drive and respond to environmental change. The lack of a unified global training resource that combines climate, land, ocean, cryosphere, infrastructure, hazards, and socioeconomic