A new Climate Inequality Report 2025 by the World Inequality Lab and UNEP reveals that the world’s richest 1% are responsible for 41% of emissions linked to private capital ownership. The report warns that without fairer climate finance, global inequality will deepen as the poor suffer most from climate damages while the rich profit from green investments.

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•  Report by World Inequality Lab and UNEP links emissions directly to wealth ownership.
•  Richest 1% responsible for 41% of emissions tied to private capital; per person, 680 times more than poorest half.
•  Economist Lucas Chancel says wealthy “consume more and finance polluting assets.”
•  Poorest 50% contribute least but face worst climate impacts and income losses.
•  By 2050, poorest half may lose 74% of income, while richest 10% lose only 3%.
•  Green transition could widen inequality if rich dominate low-carbon investments.
•  Wealth concentration may rise from 38% to 46% by 2050 under current trends.
•  Fairer system with taxes on carbon-heavy assets could reduce this to 26%.
•  Developing nations pay higher interest on green loans despite low emissions.
•  Report urges reform of global credit, public ownership, and fossil fuel phase-out to ensure fair transition.