Amnesty International is urging governments to step up efforts to move away from fossil fuels, warning that inaction on climate change is causing serious harm to people’s rights worldwide. The call comes as the global Bonn Climate Conference is rolling out from June 16 to 26 in Switzerland, says the international human rights organization’s press-release.
Last year, as a result of fossils’ use, the world’s temperature rose above 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels for the first time, fueling deadly weather, wildfires, and flooding across multiple regions. Amnesty says pollution and extreme climate events are displacing families, threatening food and water supplies, and pushing more communities into poverty.
The briefing highlights the struggles of Indigenous groups and poor communities—those least responsible for emissions but hit the hardest by climate disasters. Activists calling for stronger climate action continue to face harassment and arrests in many countries.
Amnesty is also pressing wealthy governments to deliver promised funds for lower-income countries and to tax fossil fuel profits to help cover climate costs.
“Everyone has the right to a healthy environment,” said Ann Harrison, Amnesty’s Climate Justice Advisor.
With leaders meeting in Bonn ahead of November’s COP30 summit, Amnesty wants climate decisions to include the voices of the people most affected.
