Philippines: Human rights body begins investigation into GHG-emitting firms

The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHR) has begun an investigation into the possibility that major carbon-emitting multinationals have breached human rights law, The Guardian reports.

This follows a petition from a group of environmental NGOs led by Greenpeace, which identified 47 Carbon Majors - publicly-traded companies that collectively are responsible for 21.6 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in the period from 1751 to 2013. The companies involved include major cement producers LafargeHolcim (indicted separately), HeidelbergCement and Italcementi (also named separately) and Cemex.

The CHR will now investigate the responsibility the Carbon Majors have with respect to the impact of climate change. The affected companies have been given 45 days to respond to the petition, after which time the investigation proper will commence. However, none of the named companies are liable for criminal penalties under the terms of the CHR's remit.