Briefing: Keep tar sands out of Europe

The significant expansion of tar sands exploitation is not compatible with the International Energy Agency ‘450ppm stabilisation scenario’ for the future development of global energy markets. A tripling of tar sands production over the next 20 years would only fit with its business as usual ‘reference scenario’, which would lead to 1000ppm of atmospheric CO₂ and 6 degrees of warming, the effects of which to quote the IEA would “almost certainly lead to massive climatic change and irreparable damage to the planet”.

The briefing lays out our recommendations.