Climate change and wealth: understanding and improving the carbon capability of the wealthiest people in the UK

Climate change is a problem of equity. The richest 10% of the population account for over half of global emissions, but the impacts of climate change will affect them the least. There is growing recognition that for climate action to be effective and equitable, wealth-based emissions inequalities must be addressed. Indeed, doing so would not only facilitate a just transition to net-zero, but accelerate it. In this article, we apply the concept of carbon capability to investigate the role that wealthy people play in the context of climate change and explore opportunities for effective and equitable reductions in their emissions. We draw on a comprehensive, nationally representative survey of UK households with more than 300 measures and combine this with in-depth interviews with individuals defined as being amongst the wealthiest in the UK. Our findings indicate that besides their high consumption-based emissions, wealthy people possess several positive carbon capabilities compared to the rest of the population. These include the capacity to rapidly adopt low-carbon technologies, significant knowledge and awareness about climate change, and the ability to exert climate-positive influence amongst their social and professional networks. However, we also find little motivation amongst wealthy participants for reduced consumption, which they associate with lifestyle sacrifices and the loss of wellbeing. On this basis, we articulate how catalysing influence amongst wealthy people, associating low-carbon lifestyles with wellbeing, and promoting the adoption of low-carbon technologies can support emissions equity for net-zero. Using a carbon capability lens highlights how wealthy people contribute to climate change beyond their direct consumption behaviours, but also how existing capabilities may be leveraged for positive impact.Author summary: Using survey data and in-depth interviews with wealthy individuals, this research finds that despite their high consumption-based emissions, wealthy people have significant potential to drive effective and equitable climate action. However, the group often lack the motivation to do so. This study therefore suggests interventions encouraging wealthy individuals to leverage their influence for emissions reduction, linking low-carbon lifestyles with wellbeing, and supporting the adoption of low-carbon technologies.