Ultrawealthy Responsible for Disproportionate Carbon Emissions, Report Finds

The world's wealthiest individuals are responsible for a disproportionately large share of carbon pollution, exceeding the emissions of more than half of the global population combined, according to a report released Monday by the inequality-focused organization Oxfam.

"We are seeing the ways that the ultra rich in the U.S. and around the world contribute disproportionately to creating the climate crisis," said Rachel Carle, senior advisor on climate justice at Oxfam America. "They are also insulated from the impacts of the climate crisis, and are profiting off of the disasters that they have created."

The report, which utilized climate attribution models and emissions data from the Stockholm Environment Institute, found that the richest 1%—approximately 8 million people earning an average of $442,000 annually—generate significantly more emissions than the poorest 3.5 billion people worldwide. Specifically, an individual within the richest 0.1% emits 48 times more carbon dioxide than the average person in the U.S. in a given year.

Globally, the richest 1% have been linked to 20% of the total increase in global warming since 1990, despite representing only about 4% of the world's population. Their contribution to extreme heat events is 34 times greater than that of the average person, with one year's worth of emissions from this group estimated to cause 1.9 million excess heat deaths.

Private jets are identified as a major contributor to the carbon footprint of the ultrawealthy. In 2025, private jet emissions amounted to 16 million metric tons of CO2, equivalent to the annual energy consumption of over 2 million homes. The United States accounts for the highest concentration of private jet usage, with 68% of all private flights originating there. Collectively, emissions from private jets globally in just two seconds exceed the annual emissions of the world's poorest 50%, who earn an average of $1,500 per year.

Beyond personal travel, the report notes that the ultra-rich are more likely to invest in companies that profit from climate change. An analysis of 217 companies identified as benefiting from climate disasters revealed average annual profits of $1.8 billion in 2025, with over $1 billion paid out to shareholders.

In contrast to their high emissions, the ultrawealthy are less vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Lower-income individuals are more likely to suffer the consequences of extreme weather and climate disasters and often lack the financial resources for recovery. Wealthier individuals, however, can afford to relocate to safer areas or purchase private resources like generators and firefighters, or secure premium emergency shelter.

Oxfam suggests implementing taxes on the emissions of the super-rich, such as levies on high-emitting luxury items and activities like private jet use, or windfall taxes on fossil fuel company profits. The revenue generated could fund climate adaptation initiatives, particularly in the Global South, and support global adaptation measures.

"We hope that people take away that there are a lot of opportunities to address inequality in ways that protect the planet and protect communities," Carle stated. "Polluters need to pay for the harm that they’ve caused."

The United Nations recently warned that global emissions must be drastically reduced by 18% by 2030 to keep warming below 2°C, underscoring the urgency of addressing emissions disparities.