Research shows that about 90% of global excess carbon emissions originate from developed countries such as the United States
The scientific community generally believes that greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide are closely related to global climate change. A recent international study shows that about 90% of global excess carbon emissions originate from developed countries such as the United States. Researchers point out that these developed countries should pay a total of $170 trillion in compensation to low-carbon emitting countries to ensure that the related goals of addressing climate change can be achieved.
This study was published in the journal Nature Sustainable Development in the UK and was conducted by the University of Leeds and others. Researchers used the carbon budget estimated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change of the United Nations, which is the upper limit of carbon dioxide emissions allowed to achieve the temperature control goals set by the Paris Agreement. Based on the population size of each country, they calculated the "fair share" of carbon budget allocated to 168 countries and compared this data with the historical emissions of each country since 1960 and the emission reduction situation of each country until 2050.
The results show that developed countries such as the United States have already significantly exceeded their carbon emissions and occupied a fair share of other countries. Moreover, any further emissions from these developed countries will occupy a fair share of other countries.
Developed countries with excessive carbon emissions should compensate low emitting countries
Researchers have therefore proposed a compensation mechanism that calculates that low emission countries should receive a total of $192 trillion in "fair share occupied" compensation based on the total amount of carbon emissions occupied by developed countries and the assessment of carbon pricing by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Developed countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan should pay 89% of the compensation, which is $170 trillion, of which the United States needs to pay $80 trillion.
Researchers point out that this compensation amount only includes compensation for the fair share of carbon emissions occupied by low emission countries, and does not include the costs that developed countries should provide to other countries related to reducing emissions or adapting to climate change - these costs should be paid separately. As early as the Copenhagen Climate Conference held in 2009, developed countries promised to provide $100 billion in climate funding support to developing countries annually by 2020. However, this promise has not been fulfilled.
