2024 Theses Master's

The Petroleum Paradox: A Climate Rights Analysis of Petroleum Dependent States and the Implications for Multilateral Climate Dialogues

Khan, Eisha

This thesis explores the "fossil fuel paradox" and its impact on the ability of petroleum-dependent economies to contribute meaningfully to global climate efforts, particularly in global climate policy forums. It explores how this paradox ⁠— where states rely on fossil fuel production for economic stability yet are simultaneously contributors to global emissions, prevents them from being good-faith actors in multilateral climate dialogues, particularly within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), undermines progress towards meaningful climate justice and rights-based solutions to fossil fuel mitigation.

Consequently, this dynamic calls into question the legitimacy of the UNFCCC as an effective platform for addressing the global climate crisis and reducing emissions at the scale required to avert the threat to human rights as a result of catastrophic climate change.