To limit global warming to 1.5 °C, significant reductions in CO2 emissions are crucial, necessitating that a substantial portion of existing fossil fuel resources remain unburned. This study develops a spatial assessment model integrating conventional oil resource estimates, locations, and socio-environmental criteria to create a global atlas of unburnable oil. The results indicate that 609 gigabarrels (Gbbl) of conventional oil resources coincide with environmentally sensitive areas, including biodiversity hotspots and Indigenous territories. Since 1524 Gbbl must remain untapped to meet the 1.5 °C target, prioritizing these sensitive areas for protection is feasible and enhances socio-environmental benefits.

Lorenzo Pellegrini, Murat Arsel, Gorka Muñoa, Guillem Rius-Taberner, Carlos Mena, Martí Orta-Martínez