New study finds fossil fuel giants directly responsible for worsening global heatwaves as climate movement prepares mass mobilisations

A landmark study published today in Nature reveals that 213 major heatwaves in the 21st century would have been “virtually impossible” without human-caused global warming. The research shows that fossil fuels produced by the world’s biggest oil and gas companies, including ExxonMobil, BP, Saudi Aramco and Shell, have directly intensified and increased the frequency of heatwaves across the globe.

The study finds:

  • Heatwaves since 2000 have been, on average, 1.7°C hotter due to climate change, with half of this increase caused by emissions from more than 100 “carbon majors”.
  • One-quarter of the 213 heatwaves would not have occurred at all without human-driven warming.
  • Climate change has worsened every single major heatwave recorded between 2000 and 2023.

As the planet warms, heatwaves are becoming deadlier and more destructive, driving up heat-related deaths, economic losses, and ecosystem collapse. Yet the fossil fuel industry continues to expand production, despite being responsible for 60% of all human-caused CO2 emissions since 1850.

Anne Jellema, CEO of 350.org, said, “Heatwaves that devastate communities, kill thousands, and destroy crops are not ‘natural disasters’, they have been engineered, as a direct result of fossil fuel companies choosing profit over people. This new research puts names to the culprits. Ordinary people are paying the price, while Big Oil cashes in. That is why, in just 10 days, people around the world will Draw the Line, standing up to fossil fuel giants and demanding leaders finally hold them accountable.”

The findings land just days before Draw the Line, a global mobilisation organised by 350.org and allies, with over 400 actions planned across more than 50 countries. From Berlin to Dhaka, London to New Delhi, communities will take to the streets to demand a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels and a just transition to renewable energy.

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