Rights Groups Highlight Fossil Fuels’ Role in Climate Crisis at UN

Twenty-four organizations, including Amnesty International and Oxfam, submitted a joint statement to the UN on Friday, emphasizing the critical link between fossil fuels and climate harm, Jurist News reported. They highlighted that carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel use increased by 4.6% from 2015 to 2019, contributing to approximately 66% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The organizations pointed out that the fossil fuel industry is a major catalyst for conflict, with nations spending billions to secure access to resources, resulting in environmental devastation and human displacement. They noted that Global North countries allocate 30 times more funding to militarization—over $1 trillion in military spending—compared to just $33 billion for climate finance.

The submission also underscored the importance of the polluter-pays principle, calling for accountability from major emitters responsible for climate damage. They urged that reparations be provided to victims of climate-related human rights abuses.