World population's cumulative CO2 emission shares 1990-2015, by income group

The world's richest 10 percent (approximately 630 million people) were responsible for an estimated 52 percent of carbon emissions between 1990 and 2015. Alone, the richest one percent caused more than double the carbon emissions of the poorest 50 percent. Those in the richest income group have an income of more than 100,000 U.S. dollars a year, whilst those in the lowest income group typically earn less than 6,000 U.S. dollars.

Carbon emissions accumulate in the atmosphere and can stay there for centuries and are the main driver of the climate crisis. Although those in the richest nations are the biggest emitters of carbon emissions, it is those in the poorest nations who will suffer the greatest effects of climate change, as they are already in hotter parts of the world.