For decades, the object of international climate governance has been greenhouse gases.The inadequacy of decarbonization based on this system has prompted calls to expandclimate governance to include restrictions on fossil fuel supply. Such initiatives could relyon accountability frameworks based on fossil fuel reserves, production, or infrastructure, yetthere has been little consideration of the different implications of these options. Weinform such discussions by undertaking a sociotechnical analysis of existing schemesfor the monitoring, reporting and verification of fossil fuels. We identify serious risksfrom anchoring climate governance in fossil fuel reserves. More promising directionsfor supply-side governance lie in accountability frameworks based on a combinationof fossil fuel production volumes and infrastructure, since these are more transparent tomultiple actors. This transparency would provide much-needed opportunities for democraticoversight of the data underpinning climate governance, opening new channels forholding states accountable for their climate performance.
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