The World Inequality Report 2022, produced by the World Inequality Lab presents the most up-to-date synthesis of international research efforts to track global inequalities. One chapter is dedicated to Global Carbon Inequalities.

According to the analysis, in 2021, humans released nearly 50 billion tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere, reversing most of the decline observed during the 2020 Covid pandemic. Of these 50 billion tonnes, about three quarters were produced in the burning of fossil fuels for energy purposes, 12% by the agricultural sector, 9% by industry (in cement production among other things) and 4% came from waste. On average, each individual emits just over 6.5 tonnes of CO2 per annum. These averages mask considerable disparities between countries and within them, as we discuss below.

The report reveals that inequalities are not just a rich vs. poor country issue. There are high emitters in low and middle income countries and low emitters in rich countries. On average humans emit 6.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2) per capita and per year. The report reveals important inequalities in CO2 emissions at the world level: the top 10% of emitters are responsible for close to 50% of all emissions, while the bottom 50% make 12% of the total.

In Europe, the bottom 50% of the population emits around 5 tonnes per year and per person; the bottom 50% in East Asia emits around 3 tonnes and the bottom 50% in North America around 10 tonnes. This contrasts sharply with emission levels of the top 10% in these regions (30 tonnes in Europe, 39 in East Asia and 73 tonnes in North America). The European middle class emits significantly more than its counterparts in East Asia (around 11 tonnes compared with eight tonnes) and all other regions except North America.

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