I wonder if everyone worries the same when reflecting on climate change. And more specifically if we are equally trying to fight it regardless of who we are and where we live. The reason why is that I hope future generations will be able to enjoy the world as we have.
However, I reflected on the right word to use - equally or proportionally. This brought up two different questions:
Is everyone having the same environmental impact?
Does everyone need to reduce the same emissions?
A single example that answers both questions is that during COP26,an estimated 400 private planes flew into Scotland to attend the conference and simultaneously a 16-year-old climate activist cycled to Glasgow. Individuals do impact differently and therefore they should also be accountable for their emissions. It is a simple matter of carbon inequality.
And when we wonder what causes it, there are two correlated answers: money and consumption. Usually when individuals own a surplus, they would tend to spend it, and the more there is, the more likely it is spent on luxury. However, this shouldn’t be confused with the surplus spent by a household, for example, an extra holiday or a second apartment. Here, the difference is where it is spent on items such as multiple homes, private planes or the luxury lifestyle. Additionally, the richer also emit from the investments they make whereas low-income groups barely have money to make them. This causes richer people to decide where the money goes impacting and shaping the future of communities around the world.
Data shows that 10% of the world’s population are responsible for about half of all greenhouse gas emissions, whilst the poorest half of the world contributes just 12% of all emissions. This is not just a problem between poor and rich countries, but something that happens everywhere with higher and lower emitters.
Although there has been a worldwide trend toward sustainable consumption, it is not enough. Consumption and overconsumption are the real problem. We cannot expect technology to do everything for us – it can help us to consume in a more efficient way, but behavioural changes need to be implemented. Especially when richness and luxury are idealised with people looking for and emulating the overconsumption lifestyle.
Global discussions on how to overcome this challenge are already taking place, but no agreement has been reached. Some argue carbon tax is the way, others that the problem should be tackled at the very beginning with wealth taxes. Overall, asking an average household to adopt a less carbon-intensive lifestyle is somewhat ineffective in comparison to asking the average billionaire to contribute more.
Although an overall solution has still not been agreed, what I believe will help us is having a multi-perspective approach. The problem should not be analysed only from the legislation side, but by a combination of regulation, behavioural change and strategy execution. Policy makers will be able to shape the right future by implementing the most appropriate climate-friendly policies.
Indi Bachra is a Founding member of Hope Energy. His expertise comes in Financial Services having worked in the industry for over 20 years. Indi has always had a strong belief in contributing towards the Community and has been the Coach of a local youth football team for several years.
Not least because he has three young children of his own, Indi is determined to ensure future generations have a greener, cleaner World to live in. This is why he helped start Hope Energy, with a view to do just that.
Message from Hope Energy:
At Hope Energy, our team is very much aware of and anxious about carbon inequalities. Part of the solution, we believe, is to provide a green energy tariff to all, allowing everybody the opportunity to have carbon negative energy and reducing their carbon footprint regardless of their wealth.
We also know that irrespective of people’s income, we can all help each other in tackling this global challenge. That’s why the community want to bring everyone into a space where ideas are shared and debates are welcomed.
If you haven’t already, please join in the conversations at hopeenergy.co.uk/community.