New Delhi: A recent study by the Council for Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW) reveals a surprising trend in carbon emissions. Regular earners in wealthy nations produce more carbon dioxide than the wealthiest 10% in developing countries, including India and Brazil.
The richest 10% in developed countries and China collectively produce 22% more CO2 than all studied developing countries combined.
Carbon emissions of individuals in the bottom 10% income bracket of Saudi Arabia, the US, or Australia are 6 to 15 times more than those in the poorest decile of India, Brazil, or the ASEAN region.
Researchers analyzed per capita CO2 emissions across 14 countries, the EU, and the ASEAN region, using data from the World Inequality Database and the World Bank.
The countries studied represent 81% of global emissions, 86% of the world’s GDP, and 66% of the global population.
The study supports the idea of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’ in climate action, emphasizing that not everyone is equally responsible for increasing global carbon emissions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s LiFE movement advocates planet-friendly living practices, calling for a rebalance in consumption patterns between the Global North and the Global South.
The study suggests that encouraging low-carbon lifestyles among the richest can lead to significant emission reductions.
If the richest 10% in developed countries and China reduce their carbon footprint by half, they could save over 3.4 billion tonnes of CO2 annually.
A carbon tax on the wealthiest 10% could generate USD 500 billion, supporting climate change mitigation, research, and clean technology development.
Another CEEW study indicates that developed countries are not on track to meet their 2030 emission reduction targets.
Inequities persist between the wealthiest and poorest income brackets, with emissions differing 8 to 22 times across the studied countries.
The study emphasizes the need for high earners to adopt low-carbon lifestyles and responsible consumption for a sustainable future.
The study underscores the importance of addressing carbon emissions with a focus on income brackets and advocates for tangible actions to achieve a more equitable and sustainable global environment.
By PTI
