Wealthiest 10% Responsible for Two-Thirds of Global Warming, Study Reveals

The wealthiest 10% of the global population have driven two-thirds of global warming since 1990, according to a new study published in Nature Climate Change. This group’s carbon emissions have significantly increased the frequency and intensity of climate extremes such as heatwaves and droughts, especially in vulnerable regions like the Amazon, Southeast Asia, and southern Africa.

Lead author Sarah Schöngart of ETH Zurich stated that extreme climate impacts are directly linked to the lifestyles and investment choices of the wealthy, rather than being the result of abstract global emissions. The study found that the richest 1% contributed 26 times the global average to the rise in once-in-a-century heat extremes and 17 times more to droughts in the Amazon. Emissions from the top 10% in countries like the US and China have led to a two- to threefold increase in heat extremes in vulnerable areas worldwide.

The research highlights the role of wealth-driven consumption and financial investments in exacerbating climate change and calls for climate policies to target emissions embedded in the financial portfolios of the richest individuals. Addressing this imbalance is crucial for effective and fair climate action, as the poorest 50% of the population have contributed minimally to global warming.

Disclaimer: This article is based on findings from a study published in Nature Climate Change and reflects data and conclusions available as of May 2025. Further research may provide additional insights.