19:42 - 7.07.2026

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July 7, Fineko/abc.az. According to a study published in the scientific journal Nature, the annual aggregate environmental damage caused by the world’s top 10% wealthiest and most consuming population segment ranges from $1.7 trillion to $5.7 trillion. On a per capita basis, this translates into an environmental bill of between $2,300 and $7,500 per person.

Country Inequality and Key Indicators:

• US vs. India Comparison: In the United States, the environmental footprint of the top 10% most active consumers ranges from $19,000 to $63,000 per person (equivalent to 6–20% of their income), whereas in India, this figure varies between just $410 and $1,400. More than 60% of this hyper-consumer group live in the US and the EU, while only 2% reside in India.

• Main Areas of Damage: In the structure of global environmental damage, 47–56% is driven by biodiversity loss, while 36–45% is accounted for by the consequences of climate change.

• Comparison with Financial Goals: The damage inflicted by American consumers alone exceeds the global target agreed upon at COP30, which aims to mobilize $993 billion annually until 2035 to fight climate change.