Sweden's Wealthiest 0.1% Surge Carbon Emissions Despite National Climate Goals

A recent report by Oxfam Sweden reveals a stark increase in carbon emissions by the richest 0.1% of Sweden's population, sharply contrasting with declines among lower income groups and threatening the country's climate targets. Since 1990, emissions from Sweden's wealthiest 0.1% have surged by 44%, while the richest 1% increased theirs by 24%. In contrast, emissions from the lowest 50% have decreased by 31%, highlighting a widening emissions gap based on income.

According to the report, the richest 0.1% emit on average 198 tons of CO2 per person annually—equivalent to what an average Swede emits over 30 years. This stark disparity underlines the unsustainable consumption patterns among Sweden's ultra-rich. Oxfam experts emphasize that to comply with the Paris Agreement's goal of restricting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, emissions from the richest 1% must drop by 96%, and those from the richest 0.1% must be slashed by 99% by 2030.

The growing emissions from this elite minority are undermining Sweden’s broader climate progress. Hanna Nelson, Policy Chief at Oxfam Sweden, critiqued the wealthy’s lack of climate responsibility, stating, "They emit as if there were no tomorrow." Astrid Nilsson Lewis from Oxfam Sweden added, "The climate crisis sets a ceiling for our consumption, and the rich break through that ceiling multiple times over."

The report also points to political challenges, noting that lobbying by affluent interests has impeded more ambitious climate policies, despite 65% of Swedes expressing concern about climate change and 85% supporting stronger government action. Oxfam urges the introduction of measures such as taxing luxury consumption to curb emissions among the ultra-rich.

If unchecked, current emission trajectories from Sweden's super-rich threaten to exhaust the nation's carbon budget within two years, jeopardizing national and global climate objectives. This urgent situation calls for sweeping policy reforms to ensure equitable responsibility and effective emissions reductions across all income groups.