New report: extreme climate inequality

The world's richest 1% emit twice as much carbon dioxide as the poorest half of the world's population.

Our new report 'Confronting Carbon Inequality' is based on research carried out with the Stockholm Environment Institute and is being released to coincide with climate change discussions at the UN General Assembly.

The report examines consumption emissions from different income groups between 1990 and 2015 - 25 years in which emissions doubled.

The report shows that:
- The richest one percent of the world's population emits more than twice as much carbon dioxide as the poorest half of the world's population.
- The richest one percent account for around 15% of global emissions.
- The richest one percent emit more carbon dioxide than all EU citizens combined.
- During this period, the richest ten percent have consumed one third of the remaining global carbon budget, compared to the poorest half of the world's population who consumed 4%. The carbon budget is the amount of carbon dioxide that can be released into the atmosphere without causing global temperatures to rise above 1.5°C - the target set in the Paris Agreement to avoid the worst effects of climate change.
- Annual emissions increased by 60% between 1990 and 2015. The richest 5% accounted for over a third (37%) of this increase. The richest 1%'s emissions increase was three times higher than that of the poorest 50%.

"The overconsumption of the rich minority exacerbates the climate crisis, but it is young people and people in poverty who suffer the consequences. Extreme climate inequality is a direct consequence of decades of unequal and climate-damaging economic growth pursued by those in power."

Tim Gore, Head of Oxfam Climate Action

Another new study shows that the richest 10% use almost half (45%) of all energy related to land transport and three quarters of all energy related to aviation. Transportation accounts for about a quarter of global emissions today, while SUVs were the second biggest reason why global carbon emissions increased between 2010 and 2018.

While no one is immune to climate change, people living in poverty are the hardest hit. In 2020, the climate crisis has contributed to cyclones in Bangladesh and India, a devastating locust invasion in several African countries, and unprecedented fires and heatwaves in the US and Australia.

If emissions are not reduced and emissions inequality is left unchecked, the 1.5°C carbon budget will be used up by 2030. Climate inequality is so extreme that the richest 10% would use up the carbon budget by 2033 even if all other emissions worldwide were reduced to zero.

The report also points to the need for policymakers to work to reduce consumption emissions. Much of the emissions of the richest people come from imported consumption that is not included in the national emissions statistics of the country they live in.

"Sweden and other countries need to introduce measures and targets to reduce consumption emissions, including emissions imported from other countries. It is important that the government and the cooperating parties move forward with the work to set targets for this as promised."

Robert Höglund, Head of Communications, Oxfam Sweden

According to the Oxfam report, the emissions of the richest 10% need to be ten times lower by 2030 to reach the 1.5 degree target. If the richest 10% only reduced their emissions to the average of EU citizens, global emissions would be reduced by about a quarter.

To tackle the climate crisis, policymakers need to tackle the emissions caused by the world's richest individuals while supporting poor communities that suffer from its effects.