The climate burden of the world's wealthiest 1%

The climate burden of the world’s wealthiest 1%

According to Oxfam, the richest 1% have burned their share of the annual global carbon budget – the amount of CO2 that can be added to the atmosphere without pushing the world beyond 1.5°C of warming – already in the first 10 days of 2025.

world's wealthiest individuals carbon-dioxide emissions

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A new report from Oxfam finds that the “excessive lifestyles” of the world’s richest people are disproportionately driving climate change. In just ten days, the average member of this elite group has already emitted 2.1 metric tons (approximately 4,630 pounds) of carbon dioxide-the amount they should be producing over an entire year.

It would take the average person in the bottom 50% of global income three years to generate that amount of emissions. This alarming milestone, branded “Pollutocrat Day” by Oxfam, gives an indication of how the climate crisis is powered by the super-rich, whose carbon footprint dwarfs that of normal people.

The disproportionate impact of the wealthy

The wealthiest 1% is responsible for more than double the carbon pollution of the poorest 50% of humanity. This inequality has devastating consequences for vulnerable communities and efforts to address the climate emergency.

Recent data from the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service showed that 2024 was the first year global temperatures had risen above 1.5°F-or approximately 2.7°F-above pre-industrial levels. As temperatures rise, extreme weather events like droughts, hurricanes, and heatwaves worsen. All these add to food insecurity, habitat loss of wildlife, the melting of glaciers, increase in sea levels, and other intense impacts-most recently seen in California’s devastating wildfires.

How much does the top 1% consume?

By 2030, Oxfam says, the global population is projected to reach 8.5 billion. If carbon emissions remain as they are today, then under the targets of the Paris Agreement, every person would be able to emit only 2.1 metric tons (4,630 pounds) per year.

However, the top 1%, about 77 million people pulling in over $140,000 per year, burn an average 76 metric tons (167,550 pounds) of carbon dioxide per year. In order to meet the Paris goals, this top portion would have to cut their emissions by 97% by 2030.

The implications of inaction are stark: by 2050, the emissions from this rich 1% are on track to cause crop losses that could otherwise feed at least 10 million people a year in East and South Asia.

What to do?

Oxfam wants all governments to implement permanent income and wealth taxes against the richest 1% and ban or significantly tax highly polluting luxury items such as private jets and superyachts.

McDonald’s under fire: 700 employees sue over harassment

Discrimination, homophobia, racism, ableism: McDonald's workers say they are still victims of sexual abuse and harassment a year after BBC investigation

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“Fondled and harassed almost regularly“. That was the shocking statement made by some McDonald’s employees in a BBC investigation last year.

Now, more than a year since that exposé first aired, the BBC has revealed that young employees at McDonald’s are still facing sexual abuse and harassment, despite the company’s CEO promising tighter controls.

The 700 current and former employees from McDonald’s restaurants across the United Kingdom have filed a lawsuit against the fast-food giant over allegations of sexual harassment and other misconduct. The BBC said at least 300 people have complained to the EHRC since the original investigation in 2023, which has prompted the Commission to intervene once more.

What happened

In February 2023, the BBC first investigated allegations of a “toxic culture of sexual assault, harassment, racism, and bullying” within McDonald’s UK. By July 2023, preliminary findings were made public-an outrage that spread far and wide.

More than a year later, the British law firm Leigh Day announced that more than 700 workers—many of whom were 19 years old or younger at the time of employment—are suing, for what the firm called “widespread harassment“.

According to Leigh Day, workers recounted various discriminatory actions, homophobia, racism, ableism and harassment to McDonald’s claims team.

Additionally, over 450 McDonald’s restaurants across the UK have been implicated in the allegations.

McDonald’s CEO under scrutiny

Last week, McDonald’s UK CEO Alistair Macrow faced questions from the UK Parliament’s Business and Trade Committee regarding the allegations. Speaking to the committee, Macrow stated:

“One case is too many as far as I’m concerned.”

The reported incidents were described as “repugnant, unacceptable and something that has no place at McDonald’s.” He also verified that 29 employees had been fired from McDonald’s restaurants in the last year because of sexual harassment allegations.

Regardless, the sheer volume of complaints really questions how adequate the reforms of the company have been and its concern for workplace safety.

Waiting for justice

The legal proceedings and investigations continue, as McDonald’s faces mounting pressure to address its internal culture and protect its workforce. For now, the spotlight remains on the company as it navigates these grave allegations.