Fossil Fuels
The burning of fossil fuels is the primary driver of the climate crisis, accounting for over 80 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. The extensive scientific modeling of future harms and carbon budgets could not be clearer, yet governments continue to allow – and subsidize – the expansion of fossil-fuel production. Across the globe, fossil-fuel production and use harms the health and livelihoods of people living in marginalized communities located in and around coal, oil, and gas sites. Human Rights Watch stands with fence-line communities around the world to end the direct human harms inherent to fossil-fuel projects and uplift local community demands for stricter regulations, moratoria on new exploration and production, and alternative forms of cleaner energy.
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United States
January 25, 2024
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United Arab Emirates
December 7, 2023
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Asia
December 6, 2023
Videos
Videos-
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August 29, 2022
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Deadly Air Pollution Killing Thousands
Needs Government Action, Less Reliance on Coal
News
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January 25, 2024
US: Louisiana’s ‘Cancer Alley’
Dire Health Crisis From Government Failure to Rein in Fossil Fuels
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December 7, 2023
Phasing Out Fossil Fuels at COP28
Governments Should Stand up for Human Rights to Ensure Ambitious Outcome
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December 6, 2023
Pakistan’s Air Pollution Shortens Lives
Improving Air Quality is Government’s Human Rights Obligation
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December 4, 2023
UAE: Fossil Fuels Poison Air
COP28 Host Should Address Air Pollution, Rights Abuses
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November 29, 2023
As COP28 Opens, UN Should Take UAE to Task
Host Country Should Stop Rights Repression, Drop Fossil Fuel Plans
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November 4, 2023
Ugandan Authorities Should Drop Charges Against Oil Activists
Students Arrested for Criticizing Ugandan Oil Project
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November 2, 2023
Uganda: Oil Pipeline Protests Stifled
Environmental Defenders Face Harassment, Intimidation, Arbitrary Arrests
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October 30, 2023
COP28: Climate Action Requires Upholding Rights
Governments Should Confront UAE on Rights Record, Commit to a Fossil Fuel Phase Out
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October 19, 2023
California’s Governor Should Raise Rights Along with Climate in China
Gavin Newsom Shouldn’t Ignore One Crisis for Another
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September 22, 2023
Bold Action Needed Following UN Climate Ambition Summit
Heed Call of Global Marches to ‘End Fossil Fuels.’
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September 7, 2023
Plastics Treaty Draft Takes First Step to Reduce Production
Solutions Should Prioritize Fossil Fuel Phase-out Over Recycling