For the first time, a recent analysis links carbon emissions from major fossil fuel companies to numerous deadly heatwaves. This groundbreaking research has sparked significant discussions about holding these companies accountable for their role in the climate crisis.
The study found that emissions from just 14 large companies were responsible for over 50 heatwaves that would likely not have occurred without them. For instance, emissions from ExxonMobil and Saudi Aramco increased the likelihood of 51 heatwaves by more than 10,000 times compared to a world without heated emissions.
According to Prof. Sonia Seneviratne from ETH Zurich, “We can now point to specific heatwaves and say, ‘Saudi Aramco caused this. ExxonMobil caused that.’” This clarity paves the way for potential legal action against these companies.
Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and severe due to global warming. The World Health Organization estimates that climate change leads to around 500,000 heat-related deaths each year. For example, a heatwave in the Pacific Northwest in 2021 was made nearly 3°C hotter because of climate change.
The study indicates that the emissions from 180 major fossil fuel companies have contributed to half the increase in heatwave intensity. From 2010 to 2019, the likelihood of heatwaves was 200 times greater on average due to climate change.
Dr. Davide Faranda, a research director in France, emphasized the significance of this study. It connects climate disasters to the companies whose emissions caused them. This connection could lead to legal consequences for polluters. Cassidy DiPaola from the Make Polluters Pay campaign echoed this sentiment, stating, “When their emissions alone trigger heatwaves, we see real people suffering.”
In recent rulings, courts have suggested that failing to curb climate harm could lead to compensation claims against polluters. For example, a ruling by the International Court of Justice in July recognized a healthy environment as a human right, while a German court set a precedent for holding fossil fuel companies accountable.
The research, published in *Nature*, utilized a method called attribution, comparing today’s hotter world to pre-industrial times to assess the impact of emissions on climate. It highlights that since 2000, the average intensity of heatwaves has risen from 1.4°C to 2.2°C.
Dr. Friederike Otto from Imperial College London cautioned that the study’s findings might underestimate the scale of heatwaves, especially in regions like Africa and South America, where weather data is often lacking.
Even emissions from companies ranked lower in carbon contributions led to significant changes, with some causing 16 heatwaves to become 10,000 times more likely. Dr. Karsten Haustein from the University of Leipzig remarked that this study provides crucial support for future climate lawsuits.
Significantly, these fossil fuel companies have a responsibility. They have promoted disinformation and lobbying, knowing since the 1980s that their actions would lead to global warming. However, legal accountability remains complex. Experts from Columbia University noted various challenges, from determining which courts should hear the cases to whether these companies should be liable for emissions from their customers.
Despite the progress, there’s a long road ahead for holding these companies accountable. Still, this study marks a significant step in linking corporate actions to real-world climate impacts.
