3 public. These efforts must extend to all their major subsidiaries and affiliates and, as far as reasonably practicable, entities in their supply chain. The evidence brought before this Commission shows that the respondents have failed to comply with their responsibility to respect human rights. The 47 respondents are “carbon majors”. This means that they are responsible, through their products and operations, for a significant part of the carbon emissions produced in post-industrial times and therefore have contributed to climate change. These fossil fuel companies have known for a long time that carbon emissions lead to climate change and that this, in turn, results in major harms to people and the planet. There is evidence pointing at the fact that fossil fuel companies have not only failed to minimise greenhouse gas emissions resulting from their activities and products, despite their capacity to do so, but in many cases have been involved in activities aimed at casting doubts about the connection between fossil fuels and climate change. By failing to take measures to minimise greenhouse gas emissions resulting from their activities and products, fossil fuel companies are contributing significantly to the human rights abuses that result from climate change. The role of the Philippines Human Rights Commission The Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has confirmed that not exceeding a global warming of 1.5°C is an absolute imperative to protect human rights in the coming years. It has also sent a new, compelling wake-up call, as it has shown that we only have 12 years to halve carbon emissions in order to aim for the 1.5°C target. Continuing to rely on fossil fuel extraction and production will bring humanity to the brink of collapse. It is a selfish, short-sighted and suicidal approach. Carbon majors cannot continue to put their economic interests before the public interest of human survival and respect for human rights. In the face of this urgency, the Commission cannot afford any hesitation. It already gave an incredible proof of responsibility by recognizing its duty to inquire into the matter. It has now the potential and the capacity to recognize the legal responsibility of carbon majors for the human rights harms that the people in the Philippines have suffered or might be exposed to in the future. This Commission can therefore become an inspiration for all human rights bodies and organizations, including other national human rights institutions, especially for those that have remained unengaged in the face of human rights violations resulting from climate change.