Asset Publisher

Article

Inequality of carbon emissions across income and age in Spain

Stefan Drews, Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) and Universidad de Málaga; Théo Konc, Technical University of Berlin and Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research (PIK)
Project selected in the “Social Reality of Young People” Flash Call

Climate change is linked to several problems, such as, for example, economic inequality. This article discusses two types of inequalities in the transition to a low-carbon society. It starts with evidence showing that the top 1% of carbon emitters in Spain have annual carbon footprints that are approximately 7 times higher than that of the average person and 27 times higher than the bottom 10% of people. The main drivers of unequal carbon footprints are differences in income and wealth. Moreover, older people tend to have slightly higher carbon footprints than younger adults. With changing demographics and persistent economic inequalities between generations, the sum total of emissions from the group of older people will become even larger in absolute terms over time.
Key points
  • 1
       Carbon footprints vary significantly among individuals.
  • 2
       The top 1% of carbon emitters have a carbon footprint which is 7 times larger than the average emitter.
  • 3
       Income and wealth are the main drivers of differences in footprints.
  • 4
       Wealth taxation could play a role in the green fiscal reform.
  • 5
       The ageing population should be considered in climate change policy.
242020

Classification

Tags

Subject areas

Related content

Article

Multidimensional poverty dynamics in Spain and other European countries

Poor people have a higher probability of facing additional shortages and a lower probability of suffering an existing shortage than people who are not poor.

Report

Social welfare systems and inequality in Europe

Spain’s social protection system is less redistributive than those of other EU countries. What reforms could help reduce economic inequality in Spain?

Article

Private tuition and economic inequality in Spain

33% of pupils with lower economic capacity attend private tuition, in contrast with 57% of pupils with a higher profile. Differentials in participation in extracurricular activities in relation to economic capacity are greater in secondary school.

Article

Desertified Spain

Some 17.5% of rural territory is exposed simultaneously to high rates of depopulation and of aridity. This study analyses how some factors for mitigating depopulation can have undesired effects, of both a social and an environmental nature.

You may also find interesting

The new generation of digital technologies in Spain

Article

The new generation of digital technologies in Spain


Social Inclusion Science

Will new-generation technologies substitute the most routine jobs? Discover the impact of automation on the world of work.

Women live more years, but not always with health and happiness

Article

Women live more years, but not always with health and happiness


Social Inclusion Science

Is living longer synonymous with good health? The following study compares, within the European context, life expectancy and happiness among men and women.

Seminar on longevity 2024

Report

Seminar on longevity 2024


Social Inclusion Science

‘Shaping the Future: Social Protection and Support Systems for an Aging World’ was held, organised by the Social Observatory of the ‘la Caixa’ Foundation and the World Bank with the aim of addressing the challenges of social care in ageing from a multidimensional strategy..