Destructive weather fueled by climate change is causing an increase in floods, bushfires, droughts, sea level rise and cyclones that are devastating lives all over the world, and already causing great harm to our Asia Pacific neighbours as well as Australians.

Meanwhile the coal, oil and gas corporations, who are the biggest contributors to the climate change crisis, are making huge profits and getting off scot-free for the harm they are causing.

Join us in demanding climate justice by:

  • Urging the Federal Climate Change Minister to make coal, oil and gas corporations pay for their climate harms now.
  • Advocating for funds raised from these rich polluting corporations to go into a fund to support communities in Australia and our region already experiencing the destructive impacts of climate change.
  • Calling for an immediate end to all new fossil fuel projects and subsidies, and a plan to phase out all fossil fuels in Australia.

Climate justice is within reach

A more equal world is possible. One where any of us impacted by the climate crisis have the resources to survive extreme weather, and the opportunity to build sustainable futures for generations to come.

To get there, first the biggest coal, oil and gas corporations making huge profits off causing the climate pollution must pay reparations for damage they have done to the climate and the harm they are causing to impacted communities.
These corporations have known for at least three decades that their products are seriously harming our world, and they have failed to and sometimes even actively blocked the transition to clean renewable energy.

It’s time rich polluting corporations are held accountable. They should be paying for climate damages and disaster recovery, not impacted communities who have done little to cause the problem.

The compensations funds raised from climate pollution penalties will enable communities to prepare for and avoid impacts, as well as rebuild homes and lives lost and damaged by climate disaster.

It will also send a message to big energy corporations to stop polluting and invest more in renewable energy.

People everywhere are pushing governments of the world to make this a reality. Join them.

Urge the Federal Climate Change Minister to make rich polluting corporations pay now.



Dear Minister...

People everywhere are suffering from the climate crisis, while polluting coal, oil and gas corporations are making huge profits and getting off scot-free for their harms to the climate. It is only fair that the government holds these polluters to account for their climate damages.

We ask you to make rich polluting corporations pay compensation to generate the funds needed to support communities to avoid and recover from loss and damage caused by floods, storms, sea-level rise and other climate impacts.

Headline

Destructive weather fueled by climate change is causing an increase floods, fires, and historic famines that are devastating lives all over the world. Whilst climate change affects us all, it hurts some people more than others and many communities are struggling to survive. Women, young people, First Peoples, and those already experiencing poverty or inequality are at greatest risk. The climate crisis and the system that created it are the biggest contributors to global poverty and inequality today. Years of reckless climate policy has allowed fossil fuel giants to get rich by mining and burning coal, oil and gas like there’s no tomorrow while those who contributed least to the crisis are plunged deeper into poverty. It is estimated that climate change could drive a further 122 million people into extreme poverty by 2030.

${btnLabel}

Frequently Asked Questions

What is loss and damage?

‘Loss and damage’ is the term used for climate impacts which cannot be or haven’t been prevented or avoided through reducing emissions or adapting to climate change. The ‘loss’ refers to things that are irreversibly lost such as lives, a way of living or historical site, while the ‘damage’ refers to things that can be repaired or recovered such as homes, roads or crop yields.

How can we prevent and avoid loss and damage impacts from climate change?

We must urgently increase our ambition and action to reduce carbon emissions to prevent climate change impacts becoming even more severe. Oxfam is calling for the Australian government to set a new target of 75% emission reductions by 2030 and net zero by 2035 in line with what science says needs to be done to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Wealthy countries like Australia must also financially support communities in developing countries to adapt to climate change that is already occurring. This might mean planting more drought resistant crops, relocating homes and gardens vulnerable to sea level rise, and finding new and secure water sources. These actions can help avoid loss and damage impacts.

What is the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage?

At the UNFCC COP 28 meeting in 2023, countries established a Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage for low-income countries most adversely impacted by the climate crisis.

This Fund is currently being designed, and Oxfam is calling for it to ensure local communities most impacted by climate change can access the support needed to recover from extreme weather – such as clean water during a drought, or funds to help rebuild after homes are destroyed by floods. We are also calling for the fund to support relocation of communities impacted by sea level rise, such as those in the Pacific.

Who are the polluters that should pay?

The money must be raised from those within Australia and other wealthy nations who are historically responsible for the climate crisis through their high emissions. Within Australia, the tax should be applied to those who are most responsible for the problem and who can afford to fix it – the fossil fuel companies making billions in profits and the richest 1% of people (who Oxfam research shows are most responsible for the climate crisis).

Why must our Government act?

It’s the Government’s responsibility to raise the money from Australia’s biggest polluters for the Loss and Damage Fund and for climate finance for adaptation and mitigation in developing countries. They can do this by redirecting the subsidies that are going into polluters’ pockets and by taxing them properly.

How will this make a difference?

As well as helping communities avoid and recover from extreme weather events and continue their work developing solutions for the challenges they’re facing – it sends a signal to big polluters that they must take responsibility for their actions. Moving us closer to climate justice for all.

Who is most affected by the climate crisis?

Climate change is being felt most by people in countries that have done the least to cause the crisis. According to climate scientists, over 3.3 billion people live in places highly vulnerable to climate change and these are often low-income countries with many people living in poverty.

Inequality and discrimination mean that this injustice is often felt more deeply as a result of race, gender, sexuality, disability, income or all of these combined.

What are your sources for the statistics you’ve shared?”


A BETTER FUTURE ISN'T A WORLD AWAY. BUT RICH POLLUTING CORPORATIONS MUST PAY.

By signing this petition, you agree that Oxfam Australia may contact you about the progress of this campaign and different opportunities to support its work around the world, including fundraising. You consent to Oxfam Australia collecting and handling your personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy. If you have any questions please email us at [email protected] or call 1800 088 110.

Make your voice heard

SIGN THE PETITION