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https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/10/world-richest-used-fair-share-emissions-2026-oxfam>
"The world’s richest 1% have used up their fair share of carbon emissions just
10 days into 2026, analysis has found.
Meanwhile, the richest 0.1% took just three days to exhaust their annual carbon
budget, according to the research by Oxfam.
The charity said the worst effects of the emissions would be faced by those who
had done the least to cause the climate crisis, including people in low-income
countries on the frontlines of climate breakdown, Indigenous groups, women and
girls.
Lower- and middle-income countries are most at risk from the detrimental
effects of these emissions, with global economic damage potentially adding up
to £44tn by 2050.
Oxfam has called on Britain’s chancellor to “increase taxes on
climate-polluting extreme wealth”, saying: “The wealthiest individuals and
corporations hold disproportionate power and influence.” It said the UK’s
richest 1% produced more carbon pollution in eight days than the poorest 50%
used in a year.
Not only are the super-rich responsible for most carbon emissions, but they
also invest in the most polluting industries. A billionaire carries, on
average, an investment portfolio in companies that will produce 1.9m tonnes of
CO₂ a year – roughly equivalent to the annual emissions of 400,000 petrol cars.
To stay within the agreed global heating limit of no more than 1.5C above
preindustrial levels set by the Paris agreement in 2015, the richest 1% of the
world’s population would have to reduce their emissions by 97% by 2030.
Beth John, a climate justice adviser at Oxfam GB, said the UK government should
focus on the richest polluters in order to limit damage caused by emissions."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
