IRELAND’S WEALTHIEST HOUSEHOLDS create significantly more carbon emissions than lower-earners, according to a new report from Oxfam Ireland.

The not-for-profit anti-poverty organisation is calling on the Government to make the richest polluters pay by increasing taxes on luxury items such as high-emissions vehicles, and implementing wealth taxes.

The report found that Ireland’s richest 10% emit almost as much carbon as the bottom 50% of the population combined, while someone in Ireland’s richest 1% emits 14 times more carbon than someone in the bottom half of earners.

‘Greatest burden’

It said: “Ireland’s wealthiest households are driving climate breakdown through excessive, carbon-intensive consumption, while those least responsible bear the greatest burden of its impacts.”

It found that richer groups consume much more carbon than they need, particularly when it comes to transport by car and plane. They also invest in businesses which create carbon such as the fossil fuel industry.

It noted that high carbon consumption from richer people is often related to luxury items such as vehicles, despite richer groups having greater capacity to use ‘greener’ items such as electric cars.

Whereas it noted that poorer groups often consume carbon on basic goods such as heating.

According to the report, the top 0.1% in Ireland have an average carbon footprint of 286 tonnes of CO₂ per person per year — more than 100 times Ireland’s 2030 target of 2.5 tonnes per person.

In comparison, the poorest 10% are responsible for just 4% of emissions yet are most exposed to the consequences of climate change, for example energy poverty, rising housing costs and food insecurity.

Oxfam Ireland said that to meet the Paris Agreement climate goals, Ireland must reduce average emissions to 2.5 tonnes per person by 2030, meaning the top 1% would need to cut their emissions by around 97%.

The organisation “urgent policy shifts are needed” to meet the goals.

Carbon inequality

Commenting on the findings, Jim Clarken, CEO of Oxfam Ireland, said: “Carbon inequality is not just a global injustice – it’s an Irish one too. The richest in our society are emitting vastly more carbon through luxury lifestyles and investments, while the poorest are struggling to heat their homes and put food on the table.”

He said systemic change is needed to tackle the imbalance.

“The onus for rapidly reducing emissions and financing a just transition lies with the countries, companies and individuals who have emitted the most and who continue to profit from those emissions.”

“Climate justice means holding those most responsible accountable – not only because it is fair, but because it is the fastest way to cut emissions and secure a liveable planet for all.”