COP30 in Brazil may be the world’s last opportunity to design, agree and fund a global roadmap to avert climate catastrophe. Ireland can and must lead by example.
The findings, released ahead of COP30 in Brazil, reveal that Ireland’s wealthiest households are driving climate breakdown through excessive, carbon-intensive consumption, while those least responsible bear the greatest burden of its impacts.
Key Findings
Someone in Ireland’s richest 1% emits 14 times more carbon than someone in the bottom half of earners.
The top 0.1% have an average carbon footprint of 286 tonnes of CO₂ per person per year — more than 100 times Ireland’s 2030 target of 2.5 tonnes per person.
To meet the Paris Agreement goals, Ireland must reduce average emissions to 2.5 tonnes per person by 2030, meaning the top 1% would need to cut their emissions by around 97%.
The poorest 10% are responsible for just 4% of emissions yet are most exposed to the consequences of climate change — including energy poverty, rising housing costs and food insecurity — while having the least capacity to adapt or influence policy.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) projects that Ireland remains off track to meet its 2030 emissions targets, falling significantly short of the reductions required under national climate law.
Oxfam Ireland warns that Ireland’s current emissions trajectory is incompatible with the Paris Agreement and that urgent policy shifts are needed to realign national and international commitments with principles of fairness, justice and responsibility.
Commenting on the findings, Jim Clarken, CEO of Oxfam Ireland, said:
“Carbon inequality is not just a global injustice – it’s an Irish one too. The richest in our society are emitting vastly more carbon through luxury lifestyles and investments, while the poorest are struggling to heat their homes and put food on the table.
Tackling this imbalance isn’t about personal virtue – it’s about systemic change. The onus for rapidly reducing emissions and financing a just transition lies with the countries, companies and individuals who have emitted the most and who continue to profit from those emissions.
“We cannot continue with an economy that rewards overconsumption by the few while exposing the many to climate chaos. We are already witnessing preventable deaths, displacement and conflict driven by climate breakdown.
We need to redefine what “success” is like in our society. What many may consider the pinnacle of success is, in fact, deeply anti-social and environmentally destructive. This goes for nations as well as individuals.
COP30 in Brazil may be the world’s last opportunity to design, agree and fund a global roadmap to avert climate catastrophe. Ireland can and must lead by example – ensuring that those most responsible for emissions pay their fair share towards a just and sustainable transition.
Climate justice means holding those most responsible accountable – not only because it is fair, but because it is the fastest way to cut emissions and secure a liveable planet for all.”
Oxfam’s Policy Recommendations
Oxfam Ireland is calling on the Government to take bold action to rebalance emissions and deliver climate justice at home and abroad by:
1. Make the richest polluters pay
Introduce progressive taxes on luxury carbon consumption such as private jets and high-emissions vehicles.
Implement wealth and excess profit taxes on the richest individuals and fossil fuel corporations.
Ringfence revenues to fund a just transition, ensuring affordable access to low-carbon transport, housing, clean energy and childcare.
2. Scale up Ireland’s international climate finance
Increase grants-based climate finance to support grassroots communities and civil society in the Global South.
Use Ireland’s diplomatic influence to push other wealthy nations to meet their fair share of the estimated $1.3 trillion in annual global climate finance needed to tackle climate breakdown.
3. Curb fossil fuel influence
Ban fossil fuel corporations and lobbyists from participating in international climate negotiations such as COP.
Strengthen corporate sustainability regulations and reject trade deals that prioritise profit over people and the planet.
4. Move beyond GDP growth
Commit to an economic model focused on equality, wellbeing and planetary health, rather than endless GDP expansion.
Formally include civil society and Indigenous groups in national climate decision-making processes.
“Carbon inequality is not just a global injustice – it’s an Irish one too. The richest in our society are emitting vastly more carbon through luxury lifestyles and investments, while the poorest are struggling to heat their homes and put food on the table.
