Donna Malena 
“The most effective way for the government to tackle climate change would be to properly tax the rich, through a well-targeted carbon tax scheme.” Will Stronge, director of research at Autonomy
The 1% richest produce far more emissions than the poorest 10%
When it comes to carbon dioxide emissions, there is a huge gap between the richest and the poorest in the UK, according to a new study by Autonomy. In just one year, the top 1% of earners produce as much carbon dioxide as the bottom 10% create in more than 20 years.
A low earner would take 26 years to create the same amount of carbon dioxide emissions that the richest do in 12 months.
Autonomy based its findings on data from 1998 to 2018 and it also found that those earning more than £170,000 created far more carbon dioxide emissions than the 30% of people who earn less than £21,500.
The study says that, if the UK had started taxing the top 1%’s carbon emissions 20 years ago, £126 billion would have been raised. This money could have helped fund home insulation for the poorest, upgrade eight million homes to an EPC C rating or create 2.1GW of tidal energy..
The emissions gap between the poor and the elite is caused by the vast difference in lifestyle choices. Flying is a luxury to many, but the top 1% take 20% of all overseas flights from the UK. They are also more likely to drive larger cars, consume more imported luxury goods and own several homes that they frequently travel between.
In contrast, poorer people are more likely to use public transport, live in a small house and holiday closer to home.
Will Stronge, director of research at Autonomy, said: “The enormous release of carbon emissions by the very richest in society over the past few decades is astonishing. Our analysis suggests that the most effective way for the government to tackle climate change would be to properly tax the rich, through a well-targeted carbon tax scheme.”
The government could tax the highest polluting activities, such as international flights. This would target the super rich instead of adding to the cost of living crisis for everyone else, but the government seems focussed on reducing taxes for flying instead.
