Greta Jimenez
The richest 1% of the world's population emit as much planet-heating pollution as two-thirds of humanity. This elite group, made up of 77 million people, including billionaires, millionaires, and those earning more than $109,000 a year, accounted for 16% of all CO2 emissions in 2019. Their lavish lifestyles, investments in polluting industries, and ownership of private jets, superyachts, and mansions contribute to their excessive carbon footprint. While the ultra-wealthy continue to release high-carbon emissions, they remain insulated from the deadly impacts of climate change, while vulnerable communities, particularly those in poverty, women, girls, and Indigenous communities, bear the brunt of the consequences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of global carbon emissions | 16% of all CO2 emissions in 2019 |
| Comparison with the poorest | Emitted as much as the poorest 66% |
| Emissions in relation to global warming | 22 times greater than the level compatible with the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement in 2030 |
| Emissions in relation to transport | More than all car and road transport emissions |
| Emissions in relation to wind turbines | Cancel out the work of nearly 1 million wind turbines each year |
| Emissions in relation to aviation | Responsible for half of aviation emissions |
| Emissions in relation to the Paris Agreement | Rich countries provided $1.8tn to subsidise the fossil fuel industry in 2020 |
| Emissions in relation to income | Average person in the top 1% emits 175 times more carbon than the bottom 1% |
| Emissions in relation to mortality | Emissions from the top 1% would cause 1.3 million heat-related deaths |
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What You'll Learn
- The richest 1% emit as much planet-heating pollution as two-thirds of humanity
- The poorest 66% of the world contribute to just 10% of emissions
- The super-rich are plundering and polluting the planet to the point of destruction
- The top 10% of polluters produce carbon emissions that are more than four times the global average
- The poorest suffer the most from the effects of climate change
The richest 1% emit as much planet-heating pollution as two-thirds of humanity
The richest 1% of the world's population emits as much planet-heating pollution as the poorest two-thirds of humanity. According to a report by Oxfam, titled "Climate Equality: A Planet for the 99%", the richest 1% (77 million people) were responsible for 16% of global consumption emissions in 2019, which is more than all car and road transport emissions. The report highlights the stark gap between the carbon footprints of the super-rich and the rest of the world, with their carbon-hungry lifestyles and investments in polluting industries like fossil fuels driving global warming.
The super-rich's lavish lifestyle, which includes the use of heavy carbon-emitting yachts, private jets, superyachts, mansions, space flights, and doomsday bunkers, contributes significantly to their high carbon emissions. Their carbon footprint is projected to be 22 times greater than the level compatible with the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement by 2030. This excessive emission of carbon has dire consequences for vulnerable communities and global efforts to tackle the climate emergency. Oxfam has witnessed how people living in poverty, women, girls, Indigenous communities, and people in low-income countries bear the brunt of climate impacts, such as devastating droughts, fires, and floods, further widening the economic gap.
The emissions of the richest 1% not only contribute to climate change but also threaten the survival of millions of people. Their high-carbon emissions are expected to cause approximately 1.3 million excess deaths due to heat, with most of these deaths occurring between 2020 and 2030. Additionally, the super-rich's vast resources protect them from the impacts of climate change, such as extreme heat events, while those without the means to protect themselves are left struggling to survive. The international community has recognized the importance of keeping global warming below 1.5°C to maintain a livable planet, but the current trajectory indicates we are falling short of this goal.
To address these intertwined crises of inequality and climate change, governments must target the excessive emissions of the super-rich. Oxfam proposes a global redistribution of incomes, which could provide a minimum daily income for people living in poverty while reducing global emissions by 10%. Additionally, a shift away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources is crucial, along with fair taxation on the biggest polluters, including fossil fuel companies and the extremely rich. These measures are essential to tackle the climate crisis and ensure that the costs of climate change are borne by those most responsible.
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The poorest 66% of the world contribute to just 10% of emissions
The poorest 66% of the world's population, approximately 3.5 billion people, contribute to just 10% of global carbon emissions. In contrast, the richest 1% of the global population, consisting of around 77 million people, are responsible for 16% of global carbon emissions. This disparity highlights the existence of "carbon inequality" and the disproportionate impact of the super-rich on the planet.
The Oxfam report, titled "Climate Equality: A Planet for the 99%," reveals the stark gap between the carbon footprints of the super-rich and the majority of the world's population. The wealthy tend to have high-carbon lifestyles, including the use of superyachts, private jets, and mansions, and investments in polluting industries like fossil fuels. Their vast resources also protect them from the direct consequences of climate change, such as extreme heat events. On the other hand, the poorest bear the brunt of climate impacts, facing deadly climate disasters, increased risk of violence and abuse, and a lack of resources to protect themselves.
The report emphasizes the need to address "carbon inequality" and reduce emissions from the super-rich. It suggests that taxing the extreme wealth of the richest 1% could generate trillions of dollars to invest in green initiatives and support vulnerable communities. Additionally, the report calls for a transition away from fossil fuels, with rich countries taking the lead in phasing out oil and gas production.
Furthermore, the report highlights the link between climate change and economic inequality. It argues that economic growth has been pursued at the cost of carbon-intensive practices, disproportionately affecting the poor and marginalized communities. To address this, Oxfam recommends targeting the excessive emissions of the richest individuals and investing in poor and vulnerable communities to tackle both inequality and the climate crisis simultaneously.
The findings of the Oxfam report have significant implications for global efforts to tackle the climate emergency. By addressing the disproportionate impact of the super-rich and prioritizing climate justice, we can work towards a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
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The super-rich are plundering and polluting the planet to the point of destruction
The super-rich are indeed plundering and polluting the planet to the point of destruction. The richest 1% of the world's population emit as much planet-heating pollution as two-thirds of humanity. In 2019, the latest year for which data is available, the richest 1% were responsible for 16% of global carbon emissions, more than all car and road transport emissions. The poorest half of the world's population, on the other hand, contributes to just 10% of emissions. The carbon emissions of the richest 1% are set to be 22 times greater than the level compatible with the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement in 2030.
The super-rich's lavish and carbon-hungry lifestyles, investments in polluting industries, and ownership of superyachts, private jets, mansions, and space flights contribute significantly to their high carbon emissions. Their vast resources and privileged positions also protect them from the deadly impacts of climate change, such as extreme heat events, while vulnerable communities, particularly those in low-income countries, bear the brunt of the consequences.
Climate justice advocates, such as Oxfam, have highlighted the urgent need to address this inequality. They propose solutions such as taxing the wealthy, redistributing incomes, and investing in green governments to tackle both inequality and the climate crisis. Oxfam's report, "Climate Equality: A Planet for the 99%", emphasizes the interconnectedness of climate and inequality, stating that as inequality worsens, so does climate change.
The wealthy's excessive emissions and influence on policy and industry contribute to the planet's destruction. Their high-carbon emissions cause immense suffering, including excess deaths due to heat, and threaten the survival of millions of people, particularly those who lack the resources to protect themselves from climate disasters. The super-rich's actions and influence are endangering the planet and exacerbating the climate crisis.
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The top 10% of polluters produce carbon emissions that are more than four times the global average
The latest research on climate inequality reveals a stark gap between the carbon footprints of the super-rich and the bulk of people across the world. The top 10% of polluters, defined as those earning more than $38,000 per year, produce carbon emissions that are more than four times the global average. This group is a significant contributor to global warming, even though many individuals within it have experienced a decline in emissions between 1990 and 2019.
The high emissions of the top 10% can be attributed to their consumption patterns and investments in polluting industries. Their carbon-hungry lifestyles, often involving private jets, superyachts, mansions, and space flights, result in extravagant carbon footprints. Additionally, their investments in fossil fuels and corporate shares contribute significantly to global pollution. The wealthy also wield substantial political power, influencing policies and decisions that impact global emissions.
The consequences of this inequality are dire, particularly for vulnerable communities. The emissions of the top 10% contribute to global warming, leading to devastating impacts such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves. These events disproportionately affect people living in poverty, women and girls, Indigenous communities, and people in low-income countries, who lack the resources to protect themselves. The climate crisis exacerbates existing inequalities and puts marginalized communities at greater risk.
Addressing this issue requires tackling the excessive emissions of the super-rich and investing in public services and climate goals. Policy interventions, such as specific taxes on high-emitting behaviours, can help reduce the carbon footprint of the top 10%. Additionally, creating demand for low-emission products and promoting social norms that value sustainability can drive systemic change. By addressing the emissions of the top 10% and working towards climate justice, we can mitigate the worst effects of climate change and protect vulnerable communities.
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The poorest suffer the most from the effects of climate change
Oxfam has witnessed first-hand how people living in poverty, women and girls, Indigenous communities, and people in low-income countries are disproportionately impacted by climate change. They are left to deal with the aftermath of devastating droughts, fires, and floods, which widen the economic gap. Climate change exacerbates existing inequalities, both within and between countries.
Low-income countries, particularly those in the Global South, bear the brunt of the consequences. For example, in 2022, West Africa experienced massive flooding that displaced over 1.5 million people and damaged 300,000 homes. Additionally, people with lower incomes often live in areas prone to flooding, heat stress, and storms, such as dry riverbeds or poorly protected coastal regions.
The poorest also suffer the most from the health impacts of climate change. The emissions of the super-rich are linked to excess heat-related deaths. Using a "mortality cost" formula, the Oxfam report calculates that the emissions from the richest 1% could lead to 1.3 million heat-related deaths over the coming decades. Furthermore, the poorest may lack access to adequate healthcare, making them more vulnerable to climate-related health issues.
The wealthy's vast resources and carbon-intensive lifestyles contribute to a vicious cycle of climate breakdown and inequality. As the planet warms, the poorest suffer the consequences, highlighting the urgent need to address both inequality and the climate crisis.
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Frequently asked questions
The richest 1% of people emit 175 times more carbon than the poorest 1%. The top 10% of polluters, or those earning more than $38,000 a year, produce carbon emissions that are more than four times the global average.
The richest 1% of the world's population, or 77 million people, were responsible for 16% of global consumption emissions in 2019. This is more than all car and road transport emissions. The richest 10% accounted for half of emissions.
The super-rich are driving global warming and worsening climate change, which disproportionately affects people living in poverty, women and girls, Indigenous communities, and people in low-income countries. The emissions of the richest 1% are enough to cancel out the work of nearly 1 million wind turbines each year.
