A recent report by Oxfam, titled “Climate Inequalities in Belgium: A Small Country with a Large Footprint,” has shed light on the significant disparity in CO2 emissions between different income groups in the country. The research, conducted by the Stockholm Environmental Institute, analyzed consumption emissions of various income groups in 2019.
According to the report, the top 1 percent of income earners in Belgium emit as much CO2 as the lowest 15 percent of earners. This highlights the stark inequality in emissions between different income groups. Furthermore, the top 10 percent emit as much as the lowest 45 percent, emphasizing this disparity even further. The majority of Belgians exceed their carbon budget, which is the emissions limit necessary to avoid exceeding 1.5 degrees of warming.
The high emissions of wealthy Belgians can be attributed to their transportation choices, such as cars and private planes, as well as their investments in fossil fuels. Industry accounts for nearly half of Belgian emissions, with a focus on cars and imported emissions also contributing significantly to this high per capita emission rate. This is mainly due to the significant footprint of the very affluent in Belgian society.
Rikst van der Schoor, a climate and inequality expert at Oxfam Belgium, emphasized that inequality is exacerbating the climate crisis. Those who are least responsible for causing it are often those who suffer from its effects most severely. The report highlights the need for greater equity in addressing climate change to ensure a sustainable future for all individuals.
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