Air Polluters: The Companies Hurting Our Planet

The climate crisis is an existential threat, and fossil fuel companies are responsible for perpetuating it. Research has found that just 20 companies, including Chevron, Exxon, BP, and Shell, are behind more than 10% of the world's carbon emissions since 1965. These companies have spent millions lobbying governments to delay action and continue to expand their operations despite knowing the devastating impact of their industry on the planet. The public and political debate must shift from individual responsibility to holding these corporate polluters accountable for their actions.

Fossil fuel companies

The fossil fuels sector is under scrutiny, and companies are accelerating their environmental strategies. Initiatives like carbon credits are being used to offset emissions by supporting reforestation and renewable energy projects. However, emissions from fossil fuels continue to increase, growing by 1% in 2022 to reach 40.5 gigatons of CO2.

The Carbon Majors Report identified that just 100 companies have been the source of over 70% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions since 1988, with more than half of these emissions traced to just 25 corporate and state-owned entities. ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, and Chevron are among the highest-emitting investor-owned companies in this group.

The continued extraction of fossil fuels poses significant risks, with predictions that global average temperatures could rise by up to 4°C by the end of the century if current rates persist. This temperature rise would have catastrophic consequences, including species extinction and global food scarcity risks.

State-owned companies

The role of fossil fuel companies, including state-owned entities, has come under scrutiny, with researchers highlighting their relentless exploitation of the world's oil, gas, and coal reserves. This has led to increased pressure on politicians to take urgent measures to curb the activities of these companies. The Climate Accountability Institute, through the work of Richard Heede, has calculated the emissions produced throughout the supply chain of these companies, from extraction to consumer use.

Heede's research also emphasizes the responsibility of fossil fuel companies, stating that they "knowingly perpetuated the carbon era and accelerated the climate crisis." He points out that industry leaders and politicians were aware of the environmental impact of fossil fuels as early as the late 1950s, yet continued to ignore the threat of climate change. The 2018 UN warning about the limited time frame to avoid the worst consequences of global heating further underscores the urgency of addressing these emissions.

Additionally, a study by the CDP, a non-profit organization, revealed that over half of global industrial emissions since 1988 can be traced to just 25 state-owned companies and entities. ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, and Chevron are among the highest-emitting investor-owned companies during this period. The report highlights the significant role of investors in the transition to a sustainable economy, suggesting that they leverage their economic support to encourage decarbonization in the energy sector.

While the focus is often on individual responsibilities, the impact of state-owned companies on air pollution and the climate crisis is undeniable. These entities have contributed significantly to global carbon emissions, and their activities must be addressed to effectively combat climate change and environmental degradation.

Investor-owned companies

The world's most polluting industries include livestock production, fashion, fossil fuels, transport, and construction. Fossil fuel companies are responsible for perpetuating the carbon era and accelerating the climate crisis. According to a report by the Guardian, the top 20 companies have contributed 480 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent since 1965.

Of these, twelve are state-owned, with Saudi Aramco being the leading state-owned polluter, producing 4.38% of the global total on its own. However, many of the worst offenders are investor-owned companies, including well-known global businesses such as Chevron, Exxon, BP, and Shell. These four companies alone are responsible for more than 10% of the world's carbon emissions since 1965. Other investor-owned companies identified as among the highest emitters since 1988 include ExxonMobil and Chevron.

In the United States, the chemical company LyondellBasell was the biggest corporate toxic air polluter in 2021, with a toxic score of 26.7 million. Toxic scores are calculated by multiplying the pounds of toxic air released by toxicity and population exposure. While these scores provide a snapshot of air pollution at a given time, they do not capture the full picture of companies' contributions to air pollution, as emissions can vary over time due to factors such as production changes or regulatory interventions.

To stabilize the climate, it is necessary to transition from coal, oil, and gas to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. Initiatives like carbon credits, where emissions are offset by supporting projects such as reforestation and renewable energy plants, can help achieve immediate results in the shift towards a more sustainable future.

Coal-burning power generators

In the United States, coal electricity generation has been linked to significant health risks and increased mortality. A study by Dr. Lucas Henneman and his team estimated that between 1999 and 2020, approximately 460,000 deaths could have been prevented in the absence of emissions from coal power plants. The Keystone facility in Pennsylvania, for example, was associated with over 600 deaths per year before installing emissions scrubbers, and the number dropped to 80 after their installation.

Coal-fired power stations in Australia are also among the biggest polluters, causing serious health issues in the community, including increased asthma rates in children, low birth weight in newborns, and the development of heart and lung conditions. Despite a decrease in power generation, these power stations have seen a rise in pollution levels, with a notable increase in PM2.5 and PM10 particle pollution, as well as mercury pollution.

The impact of coal power plant emissions extends beyond the immediate vicinity of the plants. Air pollution can travel long distances, affecting communities located miles away. With the awareness of the harmful effects of coal-burning power generators, many plants that burn fossil fuels, particularly coal, have announced plans to retire or transition to renewable energy sources.

The fashion industry

Fast fashion companies are some of the biggest contributors to textile and environmental pollution. Zara, for example, was one of the first fast-fashion companies, relying on cheap and speedy production to meet the latest trends. Other companies such as Uniqlo, Shein, and Forever 21 have also been criticised for their environmental impact and labour rights violations. These companies often use significant amounts of cheap synthetic materials, contribute to textile waste, and underpay their workers.

H&M, despite launching a garment recycling program, faced backlash for including 100% polyester products in its collection and providing misleading environmental information. Additionally, the supply chains of fast-fashion companies, along with luxury brands like Prada, Adidas, and Nike, are responsible for cattle ranching for leather production, which has destroyed a significant portion of the Amazon rainforest.

To address these issues, consumers can buy from more sustainable labels, support political action to limit carbon emissions, and practice recommerce, slow fashion, recycling, upcycling, and mindful textile purchasing.

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