The world’s richest 1% emitted as a lot carbon-dioxide emissions because the poorest two-thirds of the planet’s inhabitants, a brand new report by Oxfam claims.
Carbon emission of the richest 1% soared to 16% of the world’s whole in 2019, which is identical quantity produced by the poorest 5 billion folks.
Chiara Liguori, senior local weather justice coverage adviser at Oxfam, mentioned the super-rich are “plundering the planet” whereas the poor pay the value.
“The massive scale of local weather inequality revealed within the report highlights how the 2 crises are inextricably linked – fuelling each other – and the pressing want to make sure the rising prices of local weather change fall on these most accountable and in a position to pay,” she mentioned.
Oxfam’s report, primarily based on analysis with the Stockholm Surroundings Institute (SEI), assessed the consumption emissions of various revenue teams.
The examine’s findings spotlight the hole between the carbon footprints of the super-rich, whose existence and investments in fossil fuels are carbon-heavy, and the remainder of the world.
“The hole between the super-rich and the remainder of us is stark,” Ms Liguori mentioned.
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“It will take about 1,500 years for somebody within the backside 99% to provide as a lot carbon because the richest billionaires do in a yr. That is basically unfair.”
She added governments globally, together with the UK, must sort out inequality and local weather change by “focusing on the extreme emissions” of the super-rich by taxing them extra.
“This may elevate much-needed income that may very well be directed to a spread of important social spending wants, together with a good change to scrub, renewable power in addition to fulfilling our worldwide commitments to help communities who’re already bearing the brunt of the local weather disaster.”