Just 57 companies, including those in oil, gas, coal, and cement industries, have been directly implicated in causing 80% of the global greenhouse gas emissions since the adoption of the 2016 Paris climate agreement, as per a recent study.
This influential cluster comprises both state-controlled entities and privately-owned multinationals, identified as primary contributors to the climate emergency by the Carbon Majors Database, compiled by esteemed researchers.
The database has now been updated and was relaunched on Thursday on a dedicated public access website, which is hosted by InfluenceMap.
The historical record encompasses 122 entities linked to 72% of all the fossil fuel and cement CO2 emissions since the start of the industrial revolution, which amounts to 1,421 gigatonnes.
Despite international commitments to reduce emissions made in Paris, the analysis reveals a troubling trend: most major producers escalated their fossil fuel production and associated emissions in the seven years following the agreement, compared to the preceding seven years.
Among the 122 entities listed in the database as the leading historical polluters, it was found that 65% of state-run organisations and 55% of private sector companies had increased their production levels.
During this timeframe, the largest contributor to emissions among investor-owned companies was ExxonMobil from the United States, responsible for 3.6 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions over seven years, equivalent to 1.4% of the global total.
Following closely were Shell, BP, Chevron, and, each accounting for at least 1% of global emissions.
A notable trend observed was the significant growth in emissions associated with state and state-owned producers, particularly in the Asian coal sector, a trend that has persisted since.
This expansion contradicts the stark warning issued by the International Energy Agency, indicating that opening new oil and gas fields would jeopardize efforts to curb global warming within safe limits.
Scientists warn that global temperatures are rapidly approaching the critical threshold of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, with potentially catastrophic consequences for both humanity and the environment.
Richard Heede, creator of the Carbon Majors dataset, denounced the continued expansion of fossil fuel exploration and production despite widespread knowledge of the harmful impacts. He emphasised the culpability of companies rather than consumers, who are often left with no choice but to rely on oil and gas due to the undue influence of these industries on governments.
The Carbon Majors research has shifted the discourse on climate responsibility by attributing emissions to entities profiting from the extraction of fossil fuels, rather than individuals consuming them. It has been instrumental in climate litigation and served as the basis for media exposés, such as The Guardian's "The Polluters" series.
“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,” said Heede, who established the Carbon Majors dataset in 2013.
“Don’t blame consumers who have been forced to be reliant on oil and gas due to government capture by oil and gas companies.”
The updated database, now publicly accessible, reveals a historical overview of emissions dating back to 1854, contrasting with recent trends post-2016 Paris agreement. Notably, the surge in emissions from Chinese state coal production stands out, alongside a rise in production from other state entities.
Looking ahead, the trajectory may change with the US and Gulf states ramping up production, despite pledges from major companies like ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, and Shell to achieve net-zero emissions. Yet, many of these firms continue to invest in renewable energy, albeit inconsistently.
While some progress is being made, the majority of entities listed in the Carbon Majors database are observed to be moving in the wrong direction concerning climate stability.
Holding these energy giants accountable for their actions is crucial in mitigating the consequences of their activities, according to Daan Van Acker from InfluenceMap.
Heede advocates for fossil fuel producers to bear the costs of the damages they've caused and exacerbated.
He references proposals, such as one from Barbados' Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, calling for oil and gas companies to contribute to a loss and damage fund. Actions to hold these firms accountable, whether through public awareness campaigns or legislative measures, are seen as imperative in addressing the existential threat posed by climate change.
Comments