Digital Desk: According to a new study, the rich emit more carbon footprints than the rest of the world in combination. Moreover, the study has indicated that the gap between the rich and poor in releasing carbon emissions increases day by day.
In 2010, instances had already been severely uneven. The households in the top 10% of the wealthiest emitting higher than a third of global CO2, likened to families in the lower 50 % emitting just 15 %.
By 2015, the wealthiest 10% were accountable for 49% of CO2 emissions against 7% bred by the most impoverished half of the world's inhabitants.
The study was conducted by a professor named Aimee Ambrose of energy policy at Sheffield Hallam University. Aimee is also the author of the publication in the journal Science Direct.
According to the author, cutting the rich people's carbon emissions might be the fastest approach to reach net zero. In terms of energy demand in the UK, the least wealthy half of the population accounts for less than 20% of the final demand. This rate is less than the top 5% consumes.
Even though the residences of the wealthiest class may be more energy-efficient, high consumers are likely to hold bigger space to heat; even this category of individuals possess and utilize more luxury items and gadgets.
The author of the study and the publication stated that the cost of living crisis could create those in the middle to low earnings to reduce their carbon consumption by vacationing in the UK, if at all, and using less fuel. Yet, those who consume the most are improbable to make such modifications.
"It is much easier for richer consumers to absorb these increases in costs without altering their behaviour," said Ambrose. "Unlike the less wealthy, the thermostat won't be turned down, and the idea of not jetting off on a long-haul flight to find some sun is out of the question."
The majority of nations before Covid-19 had less than half of individuals documented flying at least once a year. At the same time, more than half of emissions from passenger aviation were connected to the 1% of individuals who fly most often.
"In numerous methods, the rich are being essentially protected from the spike in energy expenses," stated Ambrose. "But managing extreme personal consumption is something that isn't on the plan for the government and policymakers. This is alarming information for the world and our chances of achieving net-zero."
She expressed the resultant policy negligence of high consumers was a "skipped chance" to address imbalance and prospects for carbon deduction.
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