The study estimates the future CO₂ emissions and climate change resulting from existing energy infrastructure. It calculates that between 2010 and 2060, existing infrastructure will emit 496 gigatonnes of CO₂ (282 to 701 in lower- and upper-bounding scenarios), leading to a mean warming of 1.3°C (1.1 to 1.4°C) above pre-industrial levels and CO₂ concentrations below 430 parts per million. These emissions would likely avoid many key impacts of climate change, suggesting that the most threatening emissions have yet to be built. However, CO₂-emitting infrastructure will expand unless alternatives are developed. The study highlights that current greenhouse gas concentrations would commit the world to several centuries of increasing global temperatures and sea level rise. In contrast, near-elimination of anthropogenic CO₂ emissions would be needed to stabilize temperatures. Existing energy and transportation infrastructure will contribute substantial CO₂ emissions over the next 50 years unless retrofitting with carbon capture and storage (CCS) or decommissioning is undertaken. The study uses historical data to estimate emissions from existing infrastructure, including power plants and motor vehicles. It also considers non-energy emissions from industrial processes, land use change, agriculture, and waste. Climate model results indicate that these emissions would stabilize CO₂ concentrations below 430 ppm with warming of 1.3°C above pre-industrial levels. Excluding non-energy emissions, CO₂ concentrations would stabilize below 415 ppm with warming of 1.2°C above pre-industrial levels. The study finds that China accounts for roughly 37% of the global emissions commitment, while the United States, Europe, and Japan represent 15%, 15%, and 4%, respectively. Emissions commitments per capita and per unit GDP highlight the uneven distribution of energy services between developed and developing regions. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing infrastructural inertia to mitigate climate change impacts.The study estimates the future CO₂ emissions and climate change resulting from existing energy infrastructure. It calculates that between 2010 and 2060, existing infrastructure will emit 496 gigatonnes of CO₂ (282 to 701 in lower- and upper-bounding scenarios), leading to a mean warming of 1.3°C (1.1 to 1.4°C) above pre-industrial levels and CO₂ concentrations below 430 parts per million. These emissions would likely avoid many key impacts of climate change, suggesting that the most threatening emissions have yet to be built. However, CO₂-emitting infrastructure will expand unless alternatives are developed. The study highlights that current greenhouse gas concentrations would commit the world to several centuries of increasing global temperatures and sea level rise. In contrast, near-elimination of anthropogenic CO₂ emissions would be needed to stabilize temperatures. Existing energy and transportation infrastructure will contribute substantial CO₂ emissions over the next 50 years unless retrofitting with carbon capture and storage (CCS) or decommissioning is undertaken. The study uses historical data to estimate emissions from existing infrastructure, including power plants and motor vehicles. It also considers non-energy emissions from industrial processes, land use change, agriculture, and waste. Climate model results indicate that these emissions would stabilize CO₂ concentrations below 430 ppm with warming of 1.3°C above pre-industrial levels. Excluding non-energy emissions, CO₂ concentrations would stabilize below 415 ppm with warming of 1.2°C above pre-industrial levels. The study finds that China accounts for roughly 37% of the global emissions commitment, while the United States, Europe, and Japan represent 15%, 15%, and 4%, respectively. Emissions commitments per capita and per unit GDP highlight the uneven distribution of energy services between developed and developing regions. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing infrastructural inertia to mitigate climate change impacts.