World's Wealthiest 1% Emit As Much C02 As Poorest Two-Thirds
A new study suggests the wealthiest 1% of the world's population emit as much CO2 as the poorest two-thirds.
Oxfam - which compiled the report - estimates it would take 1,500 years for someone in the bottom 99% to produce as much carbon as the most well-off billionaires.
Emissions from the super rich in the world will lead to heat-related deaths of 1.3 million people, which is equivalent to the population of Dublin.
Oxfam Ireland says the richest people in Ireland, almost half a million, emit almost the same amount of carbon as the poorest in society.
The organistaion says Irish emissions have risen faster than any other EU country this year, by 12%.
The charity is calling on the Government to impose a tax on the super rich in an attempt to address global inequality.
The new Oxfam report, Climate Equality, shows that in 2019, the super-rich 1% were responsible for the same carbon pollution as the poorest two thirds of humanity - 5 billion people.
Read the full report: https://t.co/Unqs5I3MtQ#MakeRichPollutersPay pic.twitter.com/rYQZKUtw2G— Oxfam International (@Oxfam) November 20, 2023
The report found carbon emissions of richest 1% surged to 16% of world’s total CO2 emissions in 2019.
Oxfam's climate spokesperson, Simon Murtagh, said, "it's not true to say that we are all living beyond our means when it comes to climate change, but the richest people in society certainly are. And that's why, when it comes to Oxfam's campaigning and our main slogan this year, won't be just, make polluters pay, but make rich polluters pay".
Mr Murtagh says poorer countries are suffering the worst effects of climate change.
"The super-rich are plundering and polluting the planet to the point of destruction, leaving humanity choking on extreme heat, floods and drought".
