Emissions from the world's super rich will lead to heat related deaths of 1.3 million people, equivalent to the city of Dublin, Oxfam Ireland has claimed. 

The organisation has said a disproportionate percentage of the world’s carbon emissions are generated by the world’s wealthiest and in Ireland, the richest 10% are responsible for 27% of the nation’s carbon emissions. 

According to the EPA, Ireland’s carbon emissions dropped by 1.9% last year in comparison to 2021. 

However, much of the decrease could be attributed to lower use of domestic fuel due to high energy prices and emissions from transport increased by 6% - something the EPA attributed in part to the end of lockdown restrictions. 

“The super-rich are plundering and polluting the planet to the point of destruction, leaving humanity choking on extreme heat, floods and drought,” Oxfam climate spokesperson Simon Murtagh said.  

“Most super-rich polluters would like us to accept that we’re all equally responsible for climate breakdown. 

“But we’re not the same at all - far from it - and the runaway inequality that fuels the climate crisis is evident globally and nationally in our figures.”

The Irish Government has pledged to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. 

Next week, COP 28 is due to begin in Dubai and world leaders will gather to discuss how to prevent the planet from warming 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels.

Main image: Fetching water from well in the desert. Picture by: Alamy.com