Oxfam on IPCC report: current policies inadequate - the richest have the greatest responsibility

The UN climate panel's new report shows that current policies and action plans will not be enough to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees. And the longer we wait, the more difficult, painful and expensive the transition will be. The climate crisis is unjust and unequal, and the human suffering is immense. Rapid and large-scale action is needed, with rich countries, companies and wealthy individuals bearing a particularly heavy responsibility both to reduce their emissions, and to pay to counter the effects of warming.

A man collects what he can from his home after Cyclone Freddy destroyed it, Malawi, March 2023. Photo: Thoko Chikondi.

The IPCC report shows that climate change continues at an accelerating pace and is causing great suffering. In the last week alone, more than 500 people have died and more than 800,000 people have been affected by heavy rains, floods and landslides as a result of Cyclone Freddy in Malawi and Mozambique.

"The report shows how deeply unfair the climate crisis is. Climate change is already affecting the weather and climate. It is leading to extreme weather in all regions, causing widespread and lasting losses and damage to people and nature. Vulnerable communities and people with the lowest incomes, who have done the least to cause climate change, are the hardest hit."

Hanna Nelson, Head of Policy, Oxfam Sweden

Tackling the climate crisis and reducing inequality are linked - this is clear from both the IPCC report and Oxfam's work. Research by Oxfam and others has shown that the people with the highest incomes also account for a disproportionate share of carbon emissions, while the people most affected by climate change have often done the least to cause it. Today's IPCC report concludes that a transition will require a redistribution of resources and that different countries, regions and individuals will need to contribute in different ways, with the richest having the greatest responsibility and the best chance of reducing their emissions and paying for the transition.

"If global warming is to be limited to the Paris Agreement target of 1.5 degrees, it means that every person on Earth must emit less than 2.2 tons of carbon dioxide per year by 2030. That's what the world's richest 1% of the population emits in 12 days - while the poorest 50% use less than half of that in a whole year. It is impossible to tackle the climate crisis without specifically limiting the emissions of the richest individuals, who are also the biggest emitters. An equitable climate transition can save and improve lives, and reduce hunger and poverty."

Hanna Nelson, Head of Policy, Oxfam Sweden

Climate inequality is high both globally and in Sweden. Growing inequality contributes to global warming and makes people more vulnerable. Current targets and action plans from the world's countries will not be enough to reach the 1.5 degree target. Sweden is also failing in its climate promises. The Swedish Parliament has decided that the goal is for Sweden to have no net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2045 at the latest - and then to achieve negative emissions. This goal is not expected to be achieved with the policies and regulations currently in place.

"Sweden needs to take responsibility, both targets and policies must be sharpened. Our consumption is unsustainable and inequitable. Sweden now needs to introduce targets and policies that ensure that both total emissions are reduced to sustainable levels and that those who emit the most also reduce their emissions the most. Sweden must also deliver ambitious climate aid to the countries currently hardest hit by the climate crisis. Unfortunately, Swedish climate policy is currently almost blind to climate inequality and to the fact that redistributive efforts are needed to slow down the climate crisis. The richest countries have a responsibility to contribute, but so do the largest companies and richest individuals."

Hanna Nelson, Head of Policy, Oxfam Sweden