How can the world move away from a century-old global system based on fossil fuels? And how can societies in the Global South and Global North overcome the deeply vested economic, financial and political interests of the fossil fuel system? Despite the alarming effects of climate change and three decades of international climate negotiations, industrialized countries continue to exploit new fossil fuel reserves. Many countries in the Global South follow suit and still engage in large new fossil fuel projects and their related pollution, social injustice and debts. Increasingly, however, social and political actors are mobilising for leaving fossil fuels underground (LFFU).

This book examines the role of key actors, arguments and approaches in promoting the much-needed rapid phase-out of fossil fuels. It addresses the importance of linking effective climate action to socially and ecologically inclusive development. In addition to local resistance, the book explores initiatives for national and international policies and financial mechanisms carried out by actors ranging from social movements to governments and large investors.

In Leaving Fossil Fuels Underground, an international team of well-established scholars and early career researchers takes a global perspective to demonstrate the challenges and possibilities of reaching this goal. They pay special attention to Africa and Latin America, with case studies on South Africa and Ecuador.