180 companies have accelerated the heat waves of recent summers

BarcelonaAtmospheric emissions from the 180 largest fossil fuel and cement producers were responsible for at least 213 heat waves recorded worldwide between 2000 and 2023. This is revealed by a study by an international team of scientists, led by researchers from the Escola Politèc. They also warn of the important implications of their findings on issues related to climate policy and corporate responsibilities. The results of the study are published this Wednesday in the journal Nature.

Last June, much of Europe experienced unprecedented heat; in July, the Mediterranean region was hit by scorching heat, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees; and in August, forests were parched in many places. The study's authors have warned of how extreme heat affects health and disrupts the economy.

Thus, their calculations maintain that half of the change in the global average temperature of the Earth's surface in 2023 can be explained by emissions from large carbon-producing companies. They noted that the five largest fossil fuel producers are the former Soviet Union, followed by China (due to coal production) and three oil companies (Saudi Aramco, Gazprom, and ExxonMobil). Although the 14 largest coal companies have contributed the most to intensifying heat waves, smaller ones also play a significant role.

The researchers maintain in the publication that all these companies have known since the 1980s that the burning of fossil fuels causes global warming. They believe their findings could serve as a basis for determining responsibility for increasingly frequent heat waves and making necessary adjustments to jurisprudence. Damage caused by heat waves could also be assessed more strictly according to the "polluter pays" principle, according to the study's authors, who now plan to systematically investigate other extreme events such as heavy rains, droughts, or fires, to track them until they understand individual contributions and report scientific information that may be useful.

Heat waves increase 200-fold.

The researchers' conclusion is stark: global warming increased the likelihood of heat waves 20-fold between 2000 and 2009, and up to 200-fold between 2010 and 2019, compared to the period between 1850 and 1900. Who contributes? The researchers analyzed emissions from the 180 largest fossil fuel and cement producers and found that their emissions account for 60% of humanity's total cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions between 1850 and 2023. Their data corroborate the social perception that current generations suffer more heat waves than previous generations. They thus explain how human-induced climate change has increased the frequency and severity of the more than 200 heat waves recorded this century. Researchers analyzed 213 heat waves between 2000 and 2023. These were heat waves reported by authorities or the media due to significant casualties, economic losses, or requests for international aid, although Africa and South America were underrepresented in the data due to the lack of reporting.