New study links a few companies to most emissions since Paris deal
A handful of companies have been identified as major contributors to global emissions post-Paris agreement, with state-owned and multinational corporations at the forefront.
Jonathan Watts reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- A study traces 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions since 2016 to just 57 companies.
- Despite global pledges to reduce emissions, these companies have ramped up fossil fuel production.
- The trend underscores the significant impact of state-owned enterprises, especially in the Asian coal industry.
Key quote:
“It is morally reprehensible for companies to continue expanding exploration and production of carbon fuels in the face of knowledge now for decades that their products are harmful.”
— Richard Heede, founder of the Carbon Majors dataset
Why this matters:
The operations of these polluting companies and the use of their products release vast amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, worsening the climate crisis. Their actions, or lack thereof, in reducing emissions and transitioning to cleaner energy sources, are central to global efforts to mitigate climate change impacts and achieve international climate targets.
Climate change, inversions, and the rise of “super pollution” air events.
