‘Stranded fossil fuel reserves’ describes sources of fossil fuels that are no longer economically viable due to changes in market conditions, laws, or technology. Most of the world's remaining fossil fuel reserves will need to be left in the ground, becoming stranded reserves, if we are to avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis.

Currently, fossil energy companies control large reserves. They expect to drain them, and to continue to invest heavily in exploring for and extracting new fossil fuel reserves. Investors in fossil fuels assume that those reserves can be used, but if they are kept in the ground, then investors and companies alike will lose a lot of money. This will be resisted, but it has happened before – during World War II for example.  Today, keeping fossil fuels in the ground and decommissioning fossil infrastructure will require action from governments, investors and banks, and potentially even oil companies themselves.

Governments can take action by pricing carbon emissions, investing in renewable energy to replace fossil fuels, and eliminating financial support for fossil fuels. Investors and banks can move money away from fossil energy companies, which will reduce fossil demand. Ultimately governments will have to choose how much of the cost from stranded assets the public will bear, while also providing a transition for workers in fossil fuel industries.  

Action from the public can help push fossil fuel companies to act. Fossil fuel companies will need to shift their business models to renewable energy and other low-carbon technologies to remain profitable in a low-carbon future, or risk becoming stranded themselves.

To activate this Global Project, players need to tuck Local Project cards from their hands under this card. The requirement is 1 Energy tag for each player in the game, tucked by anyone (for example one player may tuck 2 cards, while another doesn't tuck any).

Once active: When a player takes a Local action that removes any number of Dirty Energy tokens, they can remove as many as they like.

• What are stranded assets? (London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE) 

• 📕 The Burning Question by Duncan Clark and Mike Berners-Lee – A book about energy, climate change and what it might take to leave fuel worth trillions of dollars in the ground

• Reduce methane emissions from oil and gas operations as they are phased down (Systems Change Lab)

• Encourage your employers, banks, and pension funds, to divest from fossil fuel investments and consider investing in renewable energy companies.

• Join, support, or get involved with movements or organizations fighting to keep fossil fuels in the ground, such as Keep It In The Ground.

• Reduce your own fossil fuel reliance by driving less, buying less, researching a green energy supplier where possible, and using energy-efficient appliances and lighting.