Equal Distribution

This research paper by Nazareth and Ghosh examines the intersection of structural inequality and climate change, arguing that current economic systems based on extractive resource use reinforce power imbalances and hinder climate action. The authors advocate for a restructuring of global environmental governance to be more inclusive and highlight the disproportionate impact of the wealthiest individuals on the global carbon budget.

• The authors argue that addressing climate change and procedural inequality requires a shift away from economic systems defined by the dominant economic class and the extractive use of natural resources, as these systems oppress people globally. They suggest that failing to include diverse voices when setting limits on resource use and ecological space will lead to solutions that maintain existing power imbalances, further complicating climate efforts.
• Data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2018) and a 2020 report by OXFAM and the Stockholm Environment Institute indicate that a small, wealthy minority has consumed the majority of the global carbon budget. Specifically, between 1990 and 2015, the richest 10% of the global population were responsible for 52% of cumulative carbon emissions, which used up nearly one-third of the carbon budget required for the 1.5°C target.
• If current emission rates persist, the global carbon budget may be exceeded by 2030. This risk is primarily driven by the actions of the wealthiest individuals, which restricts the ability of the poorest populations to increase emissions to improve their living standards.

APA

Nazareth, & Ghosh (2022). Equal Distribution. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/publications/equal-distribution/

Chicago

Nazareth, and Ghosh. Equal Distribution. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2022. https://www.sei.org/publications/equal-distribution/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Nazareth |last2=Ghosh |title=Equal Distribution |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=18 May 2022 |url=https://www.sei.org/publications/equal-distribution/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{nazareth2022equal, author = {Nazareth and Ghosh}, title = {{Equal Distribution}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2022}, month = may, url = {https://www.sei.org/publications/equal-distribution/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }