2023-10-03 11:22:00
© Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Faced with the request of Haitham al Ghais, secretary general of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), for an investment of 12 trillion US dollars in the oil sector before 2045, Candy Ofime, researcher and legal advisor on climate justice at Amnesty International has stated:
“Substantial new investment in oil exploitation is an irresponsible and foolproof recipe for increasing climate chaos and the erosion of human rights. “It would jeopardize international efforts to mitigate the climate emergency and limit global warming to 1.5°C, and have potentially disastrous consequences for billions of people.”
“Instead, the right approach to help achieve a sustainable future is the gradual, complete, rapid and equitable phase-out of fossil fuels, and investment in renewable energy through an energy transition that is just and respectful of human rights. “This scale of investment should be directed towards the development of renewable energy resources and climate adaptation, specifically in low-income countries and especially in the form of subsidies.”
“Haitham al Ghais says it is dangerous for energy security if there is no major investment in oil, but it will be much more dangerous for humanity if the oil sector is essentially given the green light to continue damaging the climate. No room for new fossil fuel projects if we want to achieve the ambitious, internationally agreed goal of keeping the rise in global average temperatures this century below 1.5ºC.”
“The existing exploitation of fossil fuels means that greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere are already at the highest levels ever recorded.. Some parts of the world have experienced a cycle of fires and floods this year while record high temperatures have often been followed by record rainfall. “If we allow the oil sector to have its way, there will be more and worse climate-induced disasters.”
“Everyone has the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, so companies in the fossil fuel sector have the responsibility to refrain from seeking support from governments – either directly or indirectly through professional associations – in favor of of policies and decisions that perpetuate an economic model based on carbon emissions and the damage that is being inflicted on the climate.”
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