# Impact of carbon majors' historical emissions

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/impact-of-carbon-majors-historical-emissions
> Updated: 2026-09-30T17:24:28.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Research published in PLOS Climate indicates that historical emissions from ‘carbon majors’—the top 178 producers of oil, gas, coal, and cement—will continue to influence global warming and the frequency of extreme weather events for centuries, potentially until the year 2500.

University of Washington researchers used simulations to trace the impact of these entities on atmospheric methane and carbon dioxide concentrations. The findings suggest that due to the high persistence of carbon dioxide, the environment would not immediately revert to previous states even if emissions were to cease abruptly. The Earth is expected to remain approximately 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures.

The study highlights the role of attribution science, which connects specific climate disasters to the emissions of individual entities. This scientific foundation is increasingly relevant to legal efforts aimed at holding major emitters accountable for climate-related damages.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-30: Historical fossil fuel emissions to drive warming until 2500

Research published in PLOS Climate shows that past emissions from 178 major fossil fuel and cement producers will continue to drive global warming and extreme weather through at least the year 2500.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/historical-fossil-fuel-emissions-to-drive-warming-until-2500

### 2026-09-23: Carbon majors' past emissions will impact climate for decades

A University of Washington study shows that emissions from 178 major fossil fuel producers will impact the climate for decades, keeping Earth roughly 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/carbon-majors-emissions-will-cause-long-term-warming-study-finds

---
Cite as: Impact of carbon majors' historical emissions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/impact-of-carbon-majors-historical-emissions