“The difference between the carbon emissions of the rich and the poor within a country is now greater than the differences in emissions between countries, data shows.”
This is the finding by the economists from the World Inequality Lab, in their report titled “Climate Inequality Report 2023”.
We all want to see living standards improve for all people across the globe. As living standards increase, so does carbon footprint. There is a basic inequality, since rich nations caused the climate crisis but poor nations are both feeling the brunt of it and are being held back by it.
Newell told the Guardian: “[The report shows that] tackling global poverty will not overshoot global carbon budgets, as is often claimed. Failure to address the power and privilege of the polluter elite will. These are related because reducing carbon consumption at the top can free up carbon space to lift people out of poverty.”