International Law Review

International Law Review

The Approach of OPEC Member States to Addressing Climate Change and Carbon Emissions Reduction

Document Type : academic

Author
Mohsen Abdollahi
Associate Professor of International and Environmental Law, Law Faculty, Shahid Beheshti University
10.22066/cilamag.2025.2053248.2687
Abstract
Climate change is now an undeniable scientific reality, and addressing its effects has become a major concern for both developing and developed countries. These changes, along with the measures taken to combat them, pose significant challenges to all nations, particularly developing states. For member states of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the impact is even more severe. In addition to the general damage caused by climate change and the responses to it, these countries will face additional losses stemming from reduced oil revenues. Research indicates that the economic damage to the GDP of these nations is nearly five times greater than that experienced by other countries. Specifically, the ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions will likely reduce oil revenues for OPEC states by nearly half within the next two decades.
Consequently, it is essential to examine the stance taken by these nations regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon, in the context of the global climate regime. This article aims to investigate OPEC members' participation in climate change agreements, especially the Paris Agreement, and to explore what approach these states should adopt in response to global climate initiatives and the goal of net-zero carbon emissions.

Keywords
OPEC
climate change
the Paris Agreement
carbon emissions reduction
net-zero carbon
carbon neutrality
NDC
Subjects
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  • Receive Date 11 February 2025
  • Revise Date 01 August 2025
  • Accept Date 01 August 2025