20 Fossil Fuel Companies Responsible for One-Third of Total Carbon Emissions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT: Stefanie Spear, [email protected], 216-387-1609

BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA—OCT. 10, 2019—The Guardian, in collaboration with the Climate Accountability Institute, revealed Wednesday that 20 large multinational companies are responsible for one third of all greenhouse gas emissions emitted in the modern era — and these polluters are still driving the relentless climb of global temperatures. U.S. companies Exxon and Chevron made the list of top five emitters. The Guardian’s polluter series emphasizes that our economic and political systems have created the climate crisis, and the corporations and governments responsible for that system must accelerate near term action to resolve it.

Danielle Fugere, president of As You Sow, made the following statement:

“This list points out what we already know — that the largest emitting companies must take responsibility for their contribution to climate change and act immediately to help solve the crisis they’ve created. The importance of concrete action is not lost on investors who are increasingly demanding that companies demonstrate that their products and business plans are Paris aligned, now, when action can prevent catastrophic impacts to people, planet, and the economy.”

 Lila Holzman, energy program manager of As You Sow, made the following statement:

“These findings demonstrate the clear responsibility of fossil fuel companies for climate harms. The liability companies like Exxon and Chevron face underscores the need for these companies to rapidly transition away from dangerous business as usual models that only lead to increased emissions and toward full alignment with the Paris Agreement.”

For more information on As You Sow’s work on climate change, click here.

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As You Sow is a nonprofit organization that promotes environmental and social corporate responsibility through shareholder advocacy, coalition building and innovative legal strategies. Click here to see As You Sow’s shareholder resolution tracker.