In 2019, the richest 1% of the world's population in terms of income was responsible for as much CO2 emissions as 5 billion people, or two-thirds of humankind. This is just one of the many figures contained the new report published by Oxfam to illustrate climate inequality and highlight how far we still are from a truly fair and just transition for all. “Climate Equality: A Planet for the 99%” was published just days before the start of the Cop28 climate conference in Dubai, which was scheduled to take place from 30 November to 12 December, precisely to highlight the “stark gap” between the carbon footprint of the super rich and that of the rest of the world's population. This gap is mainly due to differences in lifestyles, as well as investments by the wealthy in polluting industries, starting with fossil fuels. Each year, the emissions of these super rich effectively cancel out the CO2 emissions reduction from the use of nearly one million wind turbines. In 2030, the carbon emissions of the richest 1% will be 22 times higher than the level compatible with the Paris Climate Agreement's goal of limiting temperature increases to within 1.5°C. The report is based on data updated to 2019 and compiled by the Stockholm Environment Institute on global emissions by income bracket.
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