Systematic map of the literature on carbon lock-in induced by long-lived capital

dc.contributor.authorFisch-Romito, Vivien
dc.contributor.authorGuivarch, Céline
dc.contributor.authorCreutzig, Felix
dc.contributor.authorMinx, Jan C.
dc.contributor.authorCallaghan, Max W.
dc.date.accessioned2022-02-03T12:25:58Z
dc.date.available2022-02-03T12:25:58Z
dc.date.issued2021-04-29
dc.date.updated2022-01-29T10:40:55Z
dc.description.abstractLong-lived capital-stocks (LLCS) such as infrastructure and buildings have significant and long-lasting implications for greenhouse gas emissions. They contribute to carbon lock-in and may hinder a rapid decarbonization of energy systems. Here we provide a systematic map of the literature on carbon lock-in induced by LLCS. Based on a structured search of the Web of Science and Scopus, we identified 226 publications from 38 095 search results using a supervised machine learning approach. We show biases toward power generation and toward developed countries. We also identify 11 indicators used to quantify carbon lock-in. Quantifications of committed emissions (cumulative emissions that would occur over the remaining operational lifetime of an asset) or stranded assets (premature retirement/retrofitting or under-utilization of assets along a given pathway) are the most commonly used metrics, whereas institutional indicators are scarcely represented. The synthesis of quantifications shows that (i) global committed emissions have slightly increased over time, (ii) coal power plants are a major source of committed emissions and are exposed to risk of becoming stranded, (iii) delayed mitigation action increases stranded assets and (iv) sectoral distribution and amount of stranded assets differ between countries. A thematic analysis of policy implications highlights the need to assure stability and legitimacy of climate policies and to enable coordination between stakeholders. Carbon pricing is one of the most cited policy instrument, but the literature emphasizes that it should not be the only instrument used and should instead be complemented with other policy instruments, such as technical regulations and financial support for low carbon capital deployment. Further research is warranted on urban-scale, in developing countries and outside the electricity generation sector, notably on buildings, where stranded assets could be high.en
dc.description.sponsorshipBMBF, 01LA1826A, Ökonomie des Klimawandels - Verbundprojekt: Die politische Ökonomie eines globalen Kohleausstiegs (PEGASOS) - Teilprojekt 1: Koordination, Analyse der politischen Ökonomie vergangener Kohleausstiegeen
dc.description.sponsorshipEC/H2020/821124/EU/Next generation of AdVanced InteGrated Assessment modelling to support climaTE policy making/NAVIGATEen
dc.identifier.eissn1748-9326
dc.identifier.issn1748-9318
dc.identifier.urihttps://depositonce.tu-berlin.de/handle/11303/16272
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.14279/depositonce-15047
dc.language.isoenen
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/en
dc.subject.ddc333 Boden- und Energiewirtschaftde
dc.subject.othercarbon lock-inen
dc.subject.othercommitted emissionsen
dc.subject.otherstranded assetsen
dc.subject.otherlong-lived capital stocken
dc.subject.othersystematic mapen
dc.subject.otherevidence synthesisen
dc.subject.otherclimate change mitigationen
dc.titleSystematic map of the literature on carbon lock-in induced by long-lived capitalen
dc.typeArticleen
dc.type.versionpublishedVersionen
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.articlenumber053004en
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.doi10.1088/1748-9326/aba660en
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.issue5en
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.journaltitleEnvironmental Research Lettersen
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.originalpublishernameIOPen
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.originalpublisherplaceBristolen
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.volume16en
tub.accessrights.dnbfreeen
tub.affiliationFak. 6 Planen Bauen Umwelt::Inst. Landschaftsarchitektur und Umweltplanung::FG Sustainability Economics of Human Settlementsde
tub.affiliation.facultyFak. 6 Planen Bauen Umweltde
tub.affiliation.groupFG Sustainability Economics of Human Settlementsde
tub.affiliation.instituteInst. Landschaftsarchitektur und Umweltplanungde
tub.publisher.universityorinstitutionTechnische Universität Berlinen

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