States with low dependence on fossil fuels, either for energy or as a domestic economic driver, are best placed to lead the green transition. Often, as US climate envoy John Kerry did at last year’s Cop28, they point the finger at classic petrostates such as Saudi Arabia or Russia for not backing faster action to phase out fossil-fuel extraction.
But, as a Guardian investigation that provides this week’s cover story reveals, states such as the US, Canada, the UK and Norway could be criticised for hypocrisy. As Oliver Milman explains, for all the talking up of green credentials and touting renewable energy projects, these “other petrostates” are engaged in a frenzy of issuing new oil and gas drilling licences that will bust what’s left of the planet’s emissions budget if we want to keep global heating to the 1.5C Paris agreement level.
