Global: Record greenhouse gas levels reinforce urgent need for states to commit to fully phase out fossil fuels at COP28

Responding to a report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) showing that greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere are at their highest for at least three million years, Amnesty International’s Climate Justice Researcher Candy Ofime said:

“The last time greenhouse gases were at these concentrations temperatures were 2°C to 3°C above today’s, and sea levels were up to 20m higher. Fossil fuel production and use has led us down this path but neither states nor major producing companies have plans to phase them out. In fact, many are expanding production.

“Tens of millions of people, often the most vulnerable, are already experiencing loss and damage from climate change. It is shocking to think how many more people will be directly threatened by changes on this scale if governments and the fossil fuel industry refuse to take action.”

“It is still not too late. Amnesty International believes agreement by states to an urgent, full, fair and forever phase out of fossil fuels and a just transition to renewable sources of energy is essential at the COP28 climate summit to prevent worsening climate damage, and to protect human rights from further and escalating harm.

“We are greatly concerned that the fossil fuel lobby at COP28 will promote unproven technologies such as carbon capture and storage to try and greenwash the world into letting them continue with business as usual.”

Background

The WMO report shows that the three most significant greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide are all at record levels and rising. Human activities account for most or a significant portion of the annual emissions of these gases, all of which are long lasting. Elevated concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere between three and five million years ago was possibly due to a period of extraordinary volcanic activity. COP28 runs from 30 November to 12 December. Amnesty International’s delegation will be led by Secretary General Agnès Callamard, who will attend COP from 1 to 6 December.