New York – Commenting on a letter published today by dozens of former presidents and prime ministers, as well as former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, which supports the introduction of permanent polluter profit taxes on the fossil fuel industry and other high-emitting industries for climate damages.[1] 

Rebecca Newsom, Global Political Lead of Greenpeace International’s Stop Drilling Start Paying campaign said:
“This is a powerful call from former world leaders to make oil and gas corporations pay their fair share for the destruction they have caused. 8 out of 10 people around the world support taxing these polluters for climate damages – the backing of former political leaders adds more weight to this urgent demand.”[2]

“Pressure is mounting on today’s politicians to hold those most responsible for the climate crisis to account. Taxing fossil fuel profits is not only fair – it is also essential to ease the economic burden of the climate crisis, felt by ordinary people through higher food prices, lost working days, pressure on energy bills and higher home insurance premiums”

“The message from citizens and former leaders alike is clear: governments must find the courage to decisively tax oil and gas corporations and redirect those funds towards a just transition away from fossil fuels and a safe future in the face of a climate crisis.”

Along with more than 250,000 individuals, firefighters, mayors, worker unions, and over 60 environmental and humanitarian organisations, Greenpeace is calling on world leaders to make oil, coal and gas corporations pay their fair share for the damages they cause through introducing new polluter taxes or fines to help communities at home and around the world rebuild from climate disasters and invest in climate solutions.[3]

This year’s COP30 in Brazil must affirm the polluter pays principle and take steps to ensure that the fossil fuel industry and other high emitting sectors contribute to the escalating cost of climate action in developing countries. 

The upcoming negotiations for a UN Global Tax Convention in Nairobi in November also offer a once-in-a-generation opportunity to advance the demands articulated in the letter from former leaders.[1] Governments can use the Convention to establish new global tax rules that would enforce the polluter pays principle to hold oil and gas corporations and the super-rich to account for their environmental pollution, and raise billions to protect people and the planet, in particular via UN climate funds.  

ENDS

Notes:

[1] link to statement from former leaders

[2] Popularity of climate damages taxes on fossil fuel consumption and production. A global survey, commissioned by Greenpeace International and Oxfam International, found that taxing oil, gas and coal corporations for their climate damages is even more popular. 81% of people support this, while 86% support channeling the revenues from higher taxes on oil and gas corporations towards communities most impacted by the climate crisis.

[3] A call to action. The Polluters Pay Pact is a global alliance of more than 250,000 people on the frontlines of climate disasters, concerned citizens, first responders like firefighters, humanitarian groups and political leaders. It demands that governments around the world make oil, coal and gas corporations pay their fair share for the damages they cause. 

Contacts:

Tal Harris, Global Media Lead, Greenpeace International’s Stop Drilling Start Paying campaign, +41-782530550, [email protected] 

Greenpeace International Press Desk: [email protected], +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours)