Joshitha Kalyani, Research Lead
Feb 22, 2026
Fossil fuels, like coal, oil and natural gas are non-renewable energy sources formed from ancient organic matter over millions of years. When burned they emit large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases. As a matter of fact, CO₂ from fossil fuels is the single largest contributor to global warming. Globally, fossil fuels still supply roughly 80% of our energy. This reliance drives climate change and local pollution: in Canada, oil and gas account for 51.7% and 32.4% of national energy production respectively. The Auditor General of Canada notes that fossil fuel use is the main source of greenhouse gas emissions nationally, and that burning them also harms human health. Studies estimate fine particulate pollution from Canadian fossil fuel combustion causes approximately 34,000 premature deaths each year (about 13.6% of all premature deaths) and that phasing out fossil fuels could prevent roughly 36,000 fatalities annually. Outdoor air pollution from coal, oil, and gas is linked to heart and lung disease worldwide.
Environmental impacts extend beyond Canada. Air pollutants (PM₂.₅, NO₂, etc.) and methane leaks from global fossil fuel extraction contribute to respiratory illness as well as water contamination. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that limiting warming well below 2 °C will require rapid and deep reductions in carbon emissions from energy systems: that is, steep cuts in coal, oil and gas use. At present, the world’s fossil-fuel share is falling only slowly: one analysis projects it will remain near 75% of global energy in 2030, and only about 60% by 2050 under current policies. Fossil fuels remain dominant, particularly in transport and industry and they are also continuously used in fueling climate, environmental and health crises.
At the UN Climate Conference COP30 (Belém, Brazil, November 2025), fossil fuels were a central flashpoint. Many countries and civil society groups pushed for explicit commitments to phase out coal, oil, and gas. Over 80 nations, led by the EU, the UK, and small island or vulnerable states, publicly demanded a formal “Fossil Fuel Roadmap”: a plan to transition off fossil fuels. Dozens of environment ministers joined a podium call (the “Mutirão” initiative) for an end to fossil dependence. UN officials and analysts noted that dozens of countries, including both developed and developing nations, were backing a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels.
The agreement drafted contained no binding roadmap on fossil fuels. As a result of this, more than 100 countries blocked even non-binding references to coal, oil or gas phase-out. Even more so, the official outcome emphasised finance and adaptation rather than decisive action on phasing out fossil fuels. Climate analysts lamented that, despite urgent warnings, the summit ended without a firm plan to stop approving new fossil projects. The Canadian delegation’s public statements highlighted climate finance, carbon markets and clean technology, but mentioned little about ending oil and gas extraction. Observers noted that Canada remains a major fossil producer, ranking fourth globally with no net decrease in emissions since 1990. Critics pointed out that many fossil industry representatives were present among Canada’s delegates. International NGOs singled out Canada at COP30: for the first time since 2014, Canada earned a “Fossil of the Day” award from the Climate Action Network which denounces Ottawa for backtracking on climate policies and fast-tracking new oil and gas projects. Within days of COP30, Canada’s federal government struck a deal with Alberta that removed planned emissions caps and green-lit a new oil pipeline which signaled in a shift in energy policy in favor of fossil fuel development even as it reaffirmed a 2050 net-zero goal.
Despite COP30’s weak outcome, global momentum for a clean-energy future is strong, led in large part by youth activism and technological advances. Young people around the world have been vocal about these changes: at COP30, they presented a global youth declaration calling for a “full, fast, fair fossil phase-out.” Many have even drafted a proposed Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. These leading young voices declared fossil fuels “our generation’s weapons of mass destruction” and demanding governments to stop approving new coal, oil and gas projects. Grassroots climate strikes, school walkouts and social media campaigns continue to pressure policymakers; students in Canada and globally cite the health and justice impacts of fossils and urge peers to vote and act for green solutions.
In 2024, the world added a record amount of clean power: renewable capacity grew by roughly 15% (the fastest rate in decades) and accounted for approximately 93% of all new generation. Solar and wind alone made up over 96% of new renewables added that year. Declining costs now make renewables and batteries highly competitive, and experts note that continuing to invest in fossil fuels is a needless climate and economic risk. The IEA’s Net-Zero by 2050 modeling shows no new oil, gas, or coal projects are needed to meet climate goals: virtually all future energy demand can be met by clean sources. Governments worldwide are racing to expand solar, wind, hydro, and storage, and to electrify transport and buildings. Canada already generates over 80% of its electricity from non-emitting sources (hydro, nuclear, wind, solar), and new policies aim for a fully net-zero grid by 2035 or 2050. Electric vehicles, heat pumps, and efficiency measures are also gaining ground; in Canada, zero-emission cars made up more than 5% of new vehicle sales in 2021, up from approximately 2% in 2018.
Many countries are tightening regulations and curbing fossil subsidies. Canada and other nations endorsed initiatives at COP30 to slash methane leaks from oil and gas and to invest more in clean technology. Canada’s climate plan now targets a 45–50% cut in emissions by 2035 (versus 2005) and net-zero by 2050 with mechanisms like a carbon cap-and-trade for oil and gas under consideration. Internationally, over 80 countries, including the EU and its members launched a COP30 “Coalition for Fossil Transition,” pledging to triple renewables and double energy efficiency by 2030 while phasing out fossil fuels. In short, governments are increasingly committing to just-transition strategies and clean energy roadmaps, though success will require sustained pressure.
New technologies are also helping spot and reduce fossil fuel leaks and emissions. Several smartphone apps now let individuals track their carbon footprint (e.g. logging travel, diets and purchases) and receive tips on reduction. As one report notes, “mobile tracking apps help people figure out which actions create the most emissions and how to avoid them”. On the sensor side, researchers have built portable air-quality monitors that wirelessly send data to phones. For example, the UC San Diego CitiSense system used small sensors to detect pollutants like ozone, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide (common vehicle combustion byproducts) and display them on a smartphone app. In Europe, a project called NEOGAS created a low-power polymer sensor (an “electronic nose”) that changes its electrical resistance in the presence of gases: it successfully detected methane and carbon dioxide at ambient concentrations. Likewise, smart home devices (IoT gas detectors) can send leak alerts via apps. Even satellites are entering this space: NASA’s upcoming Tanager-1 mission will carry imaging spectrometers to scan huge areas for methane and CO₂ plumes, pinpointing emission hotspots at oil/gas facilities. These tools give companies and citizens new ways to monitor pollution and enforce standards.
References:
Office of the Auditor General of Canada. (n.d.). Reports on environmental sustainability and climate change. https://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca
Reuters. (2024). Climate change, fossil fuels, and global energy transition coverage. https://www.reuters.com
International Energy Agency. (2021). Net zero by 2050: A roadmap for the global energy sector. https://www.iea.org
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2023). AR6 synthesis report: Climate change 2023. https://www.ipcc.ch
Health Policy Watch. (2023). Air pollution, fossil fuels, and public health impacts. https://healthpolicy-watch.news
Climate Action Network Canada. (2025). Fossil of the Day awards and COP30 analysis. https://climateactionnetwork.ca
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. (2023). Fossil fuels, public health, and climate justice in Canada. https://policyalternatives.ca
European Commission. (2024). EU climate action and fossil fuel transition. https://climate.ec.europa.eu
Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. (2024). The case for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty. https://fossilfueltreaty.org
International Renewable Energy Agency. (2024). Renewable capacity statistics 2024. https://www.irena.org
The Guardian. (2025). COP30 negotiations and fossil fuel phase-out debates. https://www.theguardian.com
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