The Production gap report, first launched in 2019, measures the gap between Paris Agreement goals and countries’ planned production of coal, oil and gas. It finds that the ‘production gap’ remains large: countries plan to produce more than double the amount of fossil fuels in 2030 than would be consistent with a 1.5 °C temperature increase limit.

This year’s special issue looks at the implications of the Covid-19 pandemic – and governments’ stimulus and recovery measures – on coal, oil and gas production. It comes at a potential turning point, as the pandemic prompts unprecedented government action – and as major economies, including China, Japan and South Korea, have pledged to reach net-zero emissions.

The report was produced by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), ODI, E3G and UNEP. Dozens of researchers contributed to the analysis and review, spanning numerous universities and additional research organisations.

Report by the Overseas Development Institute