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One-fourth of the global population dwells within 5km of operational oil, gas, and coal sites, likely endangering the physical condition of over 2 billion individuals as well as critical ecosystems, based on pioneering research.

Global Distribution of Coal and Gas Infrastructure

More than eighteen thousand three hundred petroleum, gas, and coal mining sites are presently spread in one hundred seventy countries worldwide, occupying a large territory of the planet's surface.

Nearness to extraction sites, refineries, conduits, and additional oil and gas facilities increases the risk of malignancies, lung diseases, cardiac problems, premature birth, and fatality, while also causing grave threats to water sources and atmospheric purity, and harming soil.

Nearby Residence Risks and Proposed Development

Approximately 463 million people, including 124 million children, presently dwell less than 1km of coal and gas locations, while another 3,500 or so new facilities are now planned or being built that could require one hundred thirty-five million more people to face pollutants, gas flares, and leaks.

Nearly all operational sites have established pollution zones, converting nearby neighborhoods and essential ecosystems into referred to as expendable regions – severely toxic areas where economically disadvantaged and disadvantaged populations shoulder the unequal burden of proximity to pollution.

Physical and Ecological Consequences

The study describes the severe physical consequences from mining, treatment, and shipping, as well as showing how spills, ignitions, and development harm irreplaceable natural ecosystems and undermine human rights – particularly of those dwelling in proximity to oil, natural gas, and coal operations.

The report emerges as global delegates, without the United States – the largest historical emitter of carbon emissions – gather in Belém, the South American nation, for the thirtieth climate negotiations amid growing concern at the slow advancement in ending fossil fuels, which are causing planetary collapse and rights abuses.

"Coal and petroleum corporations and their public supporters have argued for a long time that societal progress needs coal, oil, and gas. But we know that under the guise of economic growth, they have instead served self-interest and profits without red lines, infringed rights with widespread impunity, and destroyed the atmosphere, biosphere, and seas."

Climate Talks and International Demand

Cop30 takes place as the the Asian nation, the North American country, and the Caribbean island are dealing with major hurricanes that were strengthened by higher atmospheric and sea temperatures, with states under increasing pressure to take decisive steps to regulate oil and gas corporations and end mining, subsidies, permits, and consumption in order to comply with a historic judgment by the international court of justice.

Recently, disclosures indicated how over over 5.3k oil and gas sector influence peddlers have been allowed entry to the international environmental negotiations in the last several years, blocking environmental measures while their employers pump record volumes of oil and natural gas.

Study Methodology and Results

This data-driven research is derived from a innovative geospatial effort by experts who analyzed data on the identified positions of fossil fuel infrastructure projects with population data, and records on vital habitats, greenhouse gas outputs, and native communities' land.

33% of all active petroleum, coal, and gas facilities overlap with one or more critical habitats such as a marsh, woodland, or waterway that is rich in wildlife and vital for emission storage or where natural decline or calamity could lead to ecosystem collapse.

The true global scale is likely higher due to deficiencies in the documentation of oil and gas projects and limited population data across nations.

Ecological Injustice and Tribal Communities

The data demonstrate long-standing ecological injustice and discrimination in exposure to petroleum, natural gas, and coal sectors.

Tribal populations, who comprise 5% of the global people, are disproportionately subjected to life-shortening coal and gas facilities, with a sixth facilities situated on tribal areas.

"We endure multi-generational struggle exhaustion … Our bodies won't survive [this]. We have never been the instigators but we have borne the force of all the violence."

The spread of fossil fuels has also been linked with property seizures, traditional loss, community division, and income reduction, as well as aggression, internet intimidation, and legal actions, both illegal and civil, against population advocates peacefully challenging the construction of transport lines, drilling projects, and further facilities.

"We never after profit; we just desire {what