Petitioners in the Philippines have asked its human rights panel to investigate the role of carbon majors in causing climate change which has affected the lives of Filipinos
The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHR) has sent a notice to 47 major oil, coal, cement and mining companies for allegedly causing climate change with their greenhouse gas emissions and violating the human rights of the people of the Philippines. The companies include Shell, BP, Chevron, BHP Billiton and Anglo American.
In a 60-page document addressed to the Commission, the petitioners have asked it to investigate the role of investor-owned carbon majors in causing climate change and ocean acidification which have affected the lives of people in the Philippines and interfered in their enjoyment of their fundamental rights. The petition also asks the Commission to request carbon majors to give details of how they plan to eliminate, remedy or prevent violation of their human rights due to climate change.
The Commission has given these 47 companies 45 days to respond to the notice. The investigation is expected to begin in October. While the CHR is not a court and cannot force companies to reduce emissions or pay fines, it can make recommendations to the government.
The Philippines has suffered many weather-related disasters between 2000 and 2008. These disasters accounted for 98 per cent of all people affected and 78 per cent of all the people who died, according to the World Bank. The petition also cites World Bank data to state that annually the country has to spend 0.5 per cent of its GDP on natural disasters. Human-induced climate change is now seen as a possible factor behind super typhoons like Yolanda and other extreme weather events.
The first case of climate liability against corporations and governments was reported in the Netherlands last year when a court ordered the Dutch government to reduce emissions by 25 per cent within five years to protect its citizens from climate change.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
Typhoon Haiyan or super typhoon Yolanda killed more than 6,000 people when it struck the Philippines in November 2013 (Photo credit: Trocaire, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons).png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.