Work

The Myth of Decarbonized Oil: Technological Fixes, Climate Delay, and the Politics of Low‐Carbon Fossil Fuels

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT The idea of “decarbonized oil” has become increasingly visible in climate, energy, and corporate transition debates as oil and gas actors seek to reconcile continued fossil fuel production with net‐zero commitments. This article offers a critical narrative review of the concept, asking what political work the idea of decarbonized oil performs in the climate crisis. Drawing on 52 sources selected from an initial screening of 2518 papers and documents, the review examines climate‐limit literature, oil and gas emissions‐reduction pathways, corporate and institutional transition materials, and critical social science scholarship. It argues that while technologies such as methane abatement, flaring reduction, electrification, refinery efficiency, carbon capture and storage, blue hydrogen, and offsets may reduce selected operational emissions, they do not decarbonize oil across its full lifecycle. The review shows that low‐carbon oil claims often shift attention from end‐use combustion, absolute emissions, and fossil fuel phase‐down toward emissions intensity, technological fixes, and corporate legitimacy. The article concludes that decarbonized oil is better understood as a contested political narrative than a settled climate solution.

Source: Sustainable Development

DOI: 10.1002/sd.71639

Author: Jacob Kwakye

Institution: McGill University

Language: English

Topic: Climate Change Policy and Economics

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Affordable and clean energy, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,250