Emissions from oil and gas giants may cause heat deaths comparable to ‘history’s most brutal wars’: Study

New Delhi, India

A recent study by Global Witness warns that emissions from major oil and gas companies could lead to 11.5 million extra deaths from heat-related causes by 2100.

What do the numbers say? 

The analysis focussed on top players like Shell, BP, TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil, and Chevron. It estimates a staggering 11.5 million excess heat deaths by the end of the century due to their emissions up to 2050.

A call to action

Sarah Biermann Becker from Global Witness emphasises the urgency, stating that even a slight temperature rise could prove lethal. Governments must intervene to steer the transition away from fossil fuels. 

“Every 0.1C of warming will be lethal. Unless the supermajors change course quickly, the death toll will be comparable to some of history’s most brutal wars. We cannot leave it up to them. Governments need to step in, mitigate the impact of extreme heat, and urgently ramp up the transition away from fossil fuels,” the senior investigator at Global Witness told The Guardian.

How did the study derive this conclusion?

The study relied on the mortality cost of the carbon model developed by Columbia University. It predicts 226 excess heat deaths per million tonnes of carbon released. This model is also used by organisations such as Oxfam.

The study revealed that even if we achieve net zero carbon emissions globally by 2050, the company's production will still cause 5.5 million excess deaths.

How high the stakes are?

If no immediate action is taken to curb emissions, the consequences could be dire. Intense heatwaves have already claimed lives worldwide, with vulnerable populations being hit the hardest. 

Environmental economist Shouro Dasgupta told The Guardian, “We’re already seeing the impacts of heat stress on workers around the world, particularly on people in outdoor or heavy-duty industries. 

“This will likely get much worse as the planet continues to heat up. We need labour protection policies that are tailored to local needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. This isn’t just a moral question – it’s also in the economic interests of employers to provide adequate protection for their workers,” he added.

Transitioning away from fossil fuels isn't just about preventing heat-related fatalities. It's also crucial for averting other disasters like food shortages, flooding, and economic instability.

While some oil giants like BP and Shell have pledged to invest in renewable energy, they continue to pursue new oil projects. Critics argue that more decisive action is needed to combat climate change.

(With inputs from agencies)