The richest 10% of the global population are responsible for nearly two-thirds of the planet’s warming since 1990, according to a groundbreaking new study published in Nature Climate Change.

Researchers found that the carbon-intensive lifestyles and financial investments of wealthy individuals have significantly contributed to climate extremes such as heatwaves and droughts. The study is the first to directly link personal wealth to specific climate impacts.

“This is a move from simply counting carbon to holding emitters accountable,” said lead author Sarah Schoengart of ETH Zurich, speaking to AFP. “We are connecting high emitters with real-world consequences.”

The top 1% alone have contributed 26 times more to once-in-a-century heatwaves and 17 times more to Amazonian droughts compared to the global average. Emissions from the top 10% in the U.S. and China—together responsible for nearly half of global emissions—have tripled the likelihood of severe heat events in those countries.

The study found that if everyone had emitted like the bottom 50%, global temperature rise since 1990 would have been minimal. Instead, emissions embedded not only in consumption but also in investment portfolios have fueled climate disasters—especially in tropical regions like Southeast Asia, Southern Africa, and the Amazon.

“Climate responsibility must include wealthy emitters and their financial choices,” said co-author Carl-Friedrich Schleussner. “Without addressing this imbalance, global climate goals are out of reach.”

The authors advocate for progressive taxation targeting high-income individuals and carbon-heavy investments. They argue that such policies could fund climate adaptation and mitigation, particularly in vulnerable regions.

Efforts to impose global taxes on the ultra-rich and multinational corporations have so far faced political roadblocks, especially since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to office in January.

Source: Al Jazeera

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