Richest 1% exhausted 2026 carbon budget in 10 days, Oxfam says
The richest 1 percent of the world's population exhausted their annual carbon emissions allowance just 10 days into 2026, according to research released by Oxfam on January 10. The finding underscores growing concerns about climate inequality as governments face mounting pressure to impose wealth taxes and restrict luxury carbon consumption.
Oxfam designated January 10 as "Pollutocrat Day," the date when the wealthiest exceeded safe emission limits needed to keep global warming within 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. The analysis, using data from the Stockholm Environment Institute, found the richest 1 percent emit 75.1 tonnes of carbon dioxide per person annually, or 0.206 tonnes daily. In stark contrast, someone from the poorest half of the global population would take nearly three years to use their carbon allowance.
The ultra-wealthy crossed this threshold even faster. The richest 0.1 percent depleted their annual budget by January 3, just three days into the new year.
Oxfam designated January 10 as "Pollutocrat Day," the date when the wealthiest exceeded safe emission limits needed to keep global warming within 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. The analysis, using data from the Stockholm Environment Institute, found the richest 1 percent emit 75.1 tonnes of carbon dioxide per person annually, or 0.206 tonnes daily. In stark contrast, someone from the poorest half of the global population would take nearly three years to use their carbon allowance.
The ultra-wealthy crossed this threshold even faster. The richest 0.1 percent depleted their annual budget by January 3, just three days into the new year.
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