Saudi oil giant Aramco was questioned by United Nations experts about the impact of its activities on global warming, in a letter made public on Saturday.
In the letters, published online two months after they were sent, it is stated that the UN experts received information “about Saudi Aramco’s business activities (…) which have negative consequences for the protection of human rights in the context of climate change. change”. .
In particular, they accused Saudi Aramco of “maintaining crude oil production, tapping new oil and gas reserves, expanding fossil fuel gas activities, and misreporting.”
MEPs consider that Aramco’s business activities appear “contrary to the objectives, obligations and commitments of the Paris Agreement”.
The letters addressed to Aramco were sent by experts belonging to the United Nations Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations, as well as by the United Nations Special Rapporteurs on Human Rights and Climate Change.
The experts recalled that fossil fuels are responsible for more than 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions, citing reports in which it is estimated that more than half of these emissions can be attributed to 25 companies in the fossil fuel sector. , being “Aramco the largest emitter of greenhouse gases.”
UN experts are independent, unpaid individuals who do not speak on behalf of the United Nations, but are mandated to report their findings to the UN.
The same letter asked Aramco to respond to the ten points highlighted in the documents within 60 days, after which the letter and any responses received would be made public.
This morning, the website of the United Nations special procedures for human rights did not contain any response from Aramco.
Aramco’s profits are the main source of funding for Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman’s vast economic and social reform program designed to allow the kingdom to diversify its economy, which is heavily dependent on fossil fuels.
Source: Observadora
