Polluters must pay for European heatwave costs

Fossil fuel companies must be held responsible for the extreme heatwave gripping Europe. Campaigners from 350.org say they should pay permanent windfall taxes to help cover the mounting health costs.

A new study by World Weather Attribution found that climate change is “unequivocally” the driving force behind Europe’s record-breaking heatwave. The study found that:

• Heatwave temperatures would have been “virtually impossible” to occur at this time just 50 years ago.
• Overnight temperatures are about 100x more likely today.
• Almost half of more than 800 cities across 30 European countries have broken, or are likely to break, heat stress levels.

UN climate change chief Simon Stiell also blamed “the world’s addiction to burning coal, oil and gas” for Europe’s heatwave and called for a faster shift away from fossil fuels.

350.org campaigner Lisa Rose said:

It’s time to turn the heat on the fossil fuel giants that caused this heatwave but are doing nothing to cover the costs. Both science and the law are clear: polluters must answer for climate damage. Now it’s up to our leaders to make them pay.

This week, a French court ruled that TotalEnergies has failed its climate vigilance duties, and that the company must take measures to reduce emissions from its oil and gas products.

Forcing fossil fuel companies to cut emissions and pay their fair share is the only effective lasting response. Half-measures won’t cool this crisis, only a faster shift to renewables can.

Featured image via the Canary