In the balance of climate change, some act as heavyweights. According to an Oxfam report published on Sunday, the richest 1% on the planet emit as much greenhouse gases as two-thirds of the poorest population, that is, about five billion people.
Titled “Climate equality: a planet for the 99%”, it is based on research compiled by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and analyzes consumption-related emissions associated with different income categories up to 2019.
“If the fight against climate change is a common challenge, some are more responsible than others and government policies must adapt accordingly,” Max Lawson, co-author of the report published by the anti-poverty NGO, told AFP.
16% of emissions
Among the main conclusions, the fact that the richest 1%, or 77 million people, stands out is responsible for 16% of global emissions related to their consumption. This is the same proportion as 66% of the poorest population, or 5.11 billion people.
“The richer you are, the easier it will be to reduce your personal emissions and those linked to your investments,” according to Max Lawson. “There is no need for a third car, a fourth vacation or (…) to invest in the cement industry.”
The income threshold to be part of the richest 1% has been adjusted by country according to purchasing power parity: for example, in the United States the threshold is $140,000 (128,000 euros) and the Kenyan equivalent is about $40,000.
Bernard Arnault, the biggest polluter
Thus, in France, in 10 years, the richest 1% have emitted as much carbon in one year as the poorest 50%. If we exclude the emissions associated with his investments, Bernard Arnault, French CEO of the luxury group LVMH and the richest Frenchman, has a carbon footprint 1,270 times larger than that of the average Frenchman.
“We believe that unless governments adopt progressive climate policy, where the people who emit the most have to make the biggest sacrifices, we will never get good policies in this area,” said Max Lawson.
This could consist of a tax on those who make more than 10 flights a year or a tax on non-green investments much higher than the tax on green investments.
Source: BFM TV
