A scientist not involved in the research commented: “We often hear that measures taken in Europe or the USA are insignificant compared to China’s industrial emissions, or the effects of rapid population growth in Africa. This article demonstrates that these assertions are, at best, deliberately ignorant”.
The key message to take away from this report is that if we really want to reduce our carbon emissions, we need to focus on the consumption habits of the super-rich.
Dr Shonali Pachauri is a researcher at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, and was not involved in the study. She told Carbon Brief that this analysis “highlights the level of inequality in carbon emissions in the world today”.
“Analysis is key to setting fair and just climate mitigation targets, so that those who contribute most to current emissions mitigate the most, in line with the UNFCCC’s common but differentiated responsibility and polluter pays principle.”
