World’s Wealthiest People Drive Two Thirds of Global Warming

A study examining the wealthiest people in the USA and China reveals that the world’s richest 10% are responsible for two-thirds of global warming and climate change since 1990. Their consumption and investments disproportionately fuel climate extremes, especially in vulnerable regions like the Amazon and Southeast Asia. According to the lead author of the study: “If everyone had emitted like the bottom 50% of the global population, the world would have seen minimal additional warming since 1990”. This underscores the urgent need to examine the lifestyle choices and investments of the world’s richest people and for robust climate policies targeting the world’s most powerful in order to achieve true Climate Justice.

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis. (2025, May 7). The world’s wealthiest 10% caused two thirds of global warming since 1990. ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507130519.htm

World’s wealthiest people responsible for more global warming

A groundbreaking study published in Nature Climate Change has found that the world’s wealthiest people 10% are responsible for two-thirds of global warming and climate change since 1990. The research, conducted by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), highlights the disproportionate impact of affluent individuals’ consumption and investments on climate change.

Top 10%: huge impact on climate through investments and lifestyle choices

Study finds top 10% of earners in the Global North have contributed 26 times more to increases in extreme heat events. Additionally, they’ve added 17 times more to Amazon droughts compared to the global average. Therefore, the findings highlight how wealthy individuals are driving climate extremes. Particularly, in vulnerable regions such as the Amazon, Southeast Asia, and southern Africa.

Lead author Sarah Schöngart of ETH Zurich, commented that wealth is major contributors to climate impacts. “Our study shows that extreme climate impacts are not just the result of abstract global emissions. Instead, we can directly link them to our lifestyle and investment choices,” she stated.

Addressing the imbalance may mitigate climate change

The research used a novel modelling framework combining economic data and climate simulations to trace emissions from different global income groups. It found that emissions from the wealthiest 10% in countries like the United States and China led to a two- to threefold increase in heat extremes across vulnerable regions.

The researchers were able to trace emissions from different global income groups and assess their contributions to specific climate extremes.

They found that emissions from the wealthiest 10% of individuals in the United States and China alone, each led to a two-to threefold increase in heat extremes across vulnerable regions.

“If everyone had emitted like the bottom 50% of the global population, the world would have seen minimal additional warming since 1990,” says coauthor Carl-Friedrich Schleussner. “Addressing this imbalance is crucial for fair and effective climate action.”

He advocates for climate policies that address the outsize responsibilities of the wealthiest members of society to effectively reduce future harm.

Emissions are embedded in financial investments

The study also highlights the importance of targeting emissions embedded in financial investments, not just personal consumption. By focusing on the financial flows and portfolios of high-income individuals, substantial climate benefits can be achieved.

This research provides compelling evidence for the need to implement progressive climate policies that hold the wealthiest accountable for their disproportionate contributions to global warming. Such measures are essential for achieving climate justice and mitigating the impacts of climate change on the most vulnerable populations.

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis. (2025, May 7). The world’s wealthiest 10% caused two thirds of global warming since 1990. ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507130519.htm

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