The study highlights the vast inequality in carbon footprint. While the richest 1% globally exceeded their emissions limit in ten days, the most affluent 0.1% did so even earlier, on January 3. This date has been dubbed 'pollutocrat day' by the organization to make visible the disproportionate responsibility of the ultra-rich.
This trend is mirrored in Spain, where it is estimated that the 1% of the wealthiest individuals will exhaust their annual CO2 allowance by January 16. To meet the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 °C, the report suggests the richest 1% must reduce their emissions by 97% before 2030.
“"Climate change not only heats the planet, it also exacerbates inequalities."
The organization stresses that this inequality has deadly consequences. It is estimated that emissions generated in a single year by the richest 1% will cause 1.3 million heat-related deaths before the end of the century. Furthermore, those who have contributed least to the crisis, such as indigenous communities or people in the poorest countries, will suffer the worst consequences.
