The world’s wealthiest are at the heart of the climate problem, according to a new UN report which calls on the “polluter elite” to radically change their lifestyle to reduce carbon emissions.
Between 1990 and 2015 the wealthiest 5 per cent contributed 37 per cent of emissions growth, with the top 1 per cent contributing by far the most.
The report found that those in the top 1 percentile produce double the combined carbon emissions of the poorest 50 per cent.
The authors want to deter SUV drivers and frequent fliers – and persuade the wealthy to insulate their homes well.
Technology
They also urge the UK government to reverse its decision to scrap air passenger duty on UK return flights and re-instate the Green Homes Grant scheme they also scrapped recently.
However, speaking to BBC News, Prof Peter Newell, from Sussex University, said the best way to cut emissions faster is through technological improvements – not through measures that would prove unpopular.
“We are totally in favour of technology improvements and more efficient products – but it’s clear that more drastic action is needed because emissions keep going up.
“We have got to cut over-consumption and the best place to start is over-consumption among the polluting elites who contribute by far more than their share of carbon emissions.
“These are people who fly most, drive the biggest cars most and live in the biggest homes which they can easily afford to heat, so they tend not to worry if they’re well insulated or not.
“They’re also the sort of people who could really afford good insulation and solar panels if they wanted to.”
Collective effort
Prof Newell said that to tackle climate change, everyone needs to feel part of a collective effort – so that means the rich consuming less to set an example to poorer people.
He continued: “Rich people who fly a lot may think they can offset their emissions by tree-planting schemes or projects to capture carbon from the air. But these schemes are highly contentious and they’re not proven over time.
The wealthy, he said, “simply must fly less and drive less. Even if they own an electric SUV that’s still a drain on the energy system and all the emissions created making the vehicle in the first place”.
Related: What you missed while everyone was talking about Prince Philip
Since you are here
Since you are here, we wanted to ask for your help.
Journalism in Britain is under threat. The government is becoming increasingly authoritarian and our media is run by a handful of billionaires, most of whom reside overseas and all of them have strong political allegiances and financial motivations.
Our mission is to hold the powerful to account. It is vital that free media is allowed to exist to expose hypocrisy, corruption, wrongdoing and abuse of power. But we can't do it without you.
If you can afford to contribute a small donation to the site it will help us to continue our work in the best interests of the public. We only ask you to donate what you can afford, with an option to cancel your subscription at any point.
To donate or subscribe to The London Economic, click here.
The TLE shop is also now open, with all profits going to supporting our work.
The shop can be found here.
You can also SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER .
