Dozens of international companies have been ordered to respond to a petition that accuses them of breaching human rights in the Philippines through the impacts of climate change.
The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHR) has sent a letter to 47 “carbon majors” including Shell, BP, Chevron, BHP Biliton and Anglo American. The companies are accused of breaching people’s fundamental rights to “life, food, water, sanitation, adequate housing and to self-determination", via the impact of greenhouse gas emissions being released into the atmosphere.
The companies have 45 days to respond to the complaint that could become the first official investigation of its kind to be launched by a government body.
A 65-page petition prepared by Greenpeace and other groups requesting the investigation argues that “climate change interferes with the enjoyment of the Filipinos’ fundamental rights.” The petition asks companies to develop plans to protect the rights of vulnerable people who are impacted by climate change.
Only those companies with offices in the Philippines can be compelled to appear by the CHR during the investigation.
Krishneil Narayan, coordinator for the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network told the ABC he is expecting there to be some difficulty in getting a response from the companies.
"It's best that they do respond in time, and if not then the Commission may have to take some steps addressing that," Mr Narayan he said.
"The Commission taking this action shows a very, very strong commitment on climate change."
The Philippines is particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events.
In the past decade four super-cyclones have wreaked havoc, along with severe floods and heatwaves.
