You know the story: Australia is a global leader – or maybe a laggard – when it comes to fossil fuel emissions.

We export more fossil fuel CO₂ than almost any other country, and continue to approve new fossil projects - despite a commitment to net zero by 2050.

But what often gets lost in these headlines and policy debates is the human side of the story.

Behind the coal mines, the export ships, and the political speeches, there are real people whose lives are being shaped – and in some cases, shattered – by Australia's dependence on fossil fuels.

From deadly heatwaves and devastating bushfires to water pollution and cultural loss, the true cost of our fossil fuel economy is not just measured in carbon.

It's measured in human rights.

We’ve just made a submission to the Special Rapporteur on Climate Change about the problem: Fossil fuel-based economy and human rights.

Read the submission

How fossil fuels are impacting our rights

Climate change isn’t some far-off reality – it’s already here, and people across Australia are living with the consequences. Our country has warmed by an average of 1.51°C since 1910, and that rise in temperature is showing up in all kinds of ways, putting our basic rights on the line.

And here’s something important to remember: human rights aren’t something you have to earn or be gifted – you’re entitled to them just by being here.

That includes the right to live safely, to breathe clean air, to stay healthy, and to pass on a liveable world to future generations. Climate change is making it harder for all Australians to enjoy these rights – and it's hitting vulnerable communities the hardest.

• Right to life: Did you know you have an inherent right to be alive and safe? Climate change puts that at risk. More frequent and intense heatwaves, bushfires, floods, and other extreme weather events are already taking lives – especially among older Australians, people with disabilities, and those with chronic health conditions.
• Right to health: Everyone has the right to live in conditions that support good physical and mental health. But climate change is making that harder every year. Extreme weather events – like heatwaves, bushfires, floods, and droughts – are happening more often and with greater intensity than they did 50 years ago. hese events aren’t just inconvenient; they’re causing real harm – from heatstroke, asthma, and heart and lung diseases to anxiety, trauma, and depression. People with chronic illnesses or disabilities, and those living in rural and remote areas, often face the greatest health risks and the fewest support services.
• Right to a healthy environment: We all deserve to live in a clean, safe, and sustainable environment. Rising temperatures, pollution, and the destruction of iconic natural places like the Great Barrier Reef are making that harder. Communities living near fossil fuel sites are especially affected, with poor air and water quality becoming the norm.
• Right to culture: Your cultural identity – including your connection to land, language, and traditions – is a protected human right, particularly for First Nations Peoples who have a deep unique relationship. For First Nations peoples, climate change and fossil fuel extraction are threatening sacred places and disrupting cultural practices. Without land and water, culture suffers.
• Children’s rights (including the best interests of the child): Children have the right to grow up safe, healthy, and with a future to look forward to. Yet young people in Australia are being set up to face worsening climate impacts throughout their lives. Courts have acknowledged this — but our laws still don’t require decision-makers to protect kids from the long-term consequences of climate inaction.

Why can't Australia break-up with fossil fuels?

There’s no simple answer — but a few key problems keep getting in the way of real progress:

1. Too much power in the hands of fossil fuel companies

Big fossil fuel companies have a lot of political influence. They donate millions to political campaigns, and many former politicians go on to work in the industry. That kind of access makes it hard to pass strong climate laws that hold these companies accountable — even when the public wants action.

2. First Nations voices are being sidelined

Many fossil fuel projects are built on areas with Native Title — but the laws don’t give Traditional Owners the power to say no. This means projects like Adani’s Carmichael coal mine have gone ahead, even in the face of strong opposition from First Nations communities. That’s not just unfair — it’s a continuation of colonial systems that ignore First Nations rights.

3. Weak laws and climate loopholes

Australia’s climate laws are full of gaps. Our national emissions targets aren’t strong enough to meet the science, and companies are allowed to keep polluting by buying carbon offsets that often don’t work. Worse still, our main environmental law doesn’t even specifically require decision-makers to consider climate change when approving new fossil fuel projects. And with no national human rights law or clear plan for a fair transition, communities are left without protection — while fossil fuel companies keep business as usual.

In fact, in a 2023 Federal Court case (the Living Wonders case), the judges described Australia's national environment laws as being “ill-suited” to dealing with threats like climate change and its impact on nature.