Fossil Fuel Systems Model

For the Global Science & Policy Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Santa Marta, Colombia in April 2026, LINGO developed a systems model, based on the work of Frederic Vester.

It shows the carbon entanglement of fossil fuel extraction (red) with economic and political factors that ensues quickly when fossil fuel extraction has started (black arrows represent a positive influence from one variable on another). Renewable energies (green, top) only influence the system once they have grown to market dominance in their sector. Political strategies (green, bottom) struggle to impact the system profoundly as they are hampered by many debilitating influences (dashed arrows represent a dampening influence). Emissions and climate impacts show almost no interaction with the system.

More information about the tool: Vester Sensitivity Model