Wed May 07 17:34:35 UTC 2025: ## World’s Richest 10% Responsible for Two-Thirds of Global Warming Since 1990: Study
**Zurich, Switzerland** – A groundbreaking study published in *Nature Climate Change* reveals that the wealthiest 10% of the global population are responsible for two-thirds of global warming since 1990. The research, conducted by scientists at ETH Zurich, directly links the consumption and investment patterns of the ultra-wealthy to increased risks of extreme weather events like heatwaves and droughts.
The study quantifies the disproportionate impact of concentrated wealth on climate change for the first time. Researchers found that the richest 1% contributed 26 times more to once-a-century heatwaves and 17 times more to Amazonian droughts than the global average. Emissions from the wealthiest 10% in the US and China alone – major carbon polluters – led to a two- to threefold increase in heat extremes.
Lead author Sarah Schoengart emphasizes a shift from simply accounting for carbon emissions to holding individuals accountable for their climate impact. The research highlights that emissions embedded in financial investments, not just personal consumption, significantly contribute to the problem. Tropical regions, historically low emitters, are disproportionately affected.
Co-author Carl-Friedrich Schleussner points out that if everyone emitted at the rate of the bottom 50% of the global population, warming since 1990 would have been minimal. He stresses the urgent need to address this imbalance for fair and effective climate action.
The study advocates for policy changes targeting the financial activities and investment portfolios of high-income individuals. Progressive taxes on wealth and carbon-intensive investments are suggested as a mechanism to generate funding for adaptation and damage repair in vulnerable countries, offering a more equitable approach than broad carbon taxes.
However, recent global efforts to increase taxes on the super-rich and multinationals have stalled, highlighting the political challenges in implementing such policies. While some international agreements on corporate taxation exist, progress has been slow. The stark wealth disparity, with the richest 1% holding more wealth than the bottom 95%, further underscores the urgency of addressing this issue. The authors conclude that climate action ignoring the disproportionate role of the wealthy risks missing a crucial lever for mitigating future harm.
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