
It’s Pollutocrat Day
Richest 1% burn through their entire annual carbon limit in just 10 days
Home » Funding a just, green future
Main image: Greenpeace activists from various countries blocked the arrivals of the participants of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland at the heliport Lago. © Daniel Müller / Greenpeace
Thirteen activists from across Europe blocked delegates arriving at Davos Lago heliport yesterday (20 Jan) for the opening of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
As the world’s political and business leaders gather, Greenpeace International’s peaceful protest is calling for ‘polluting elites’ to be held accountable; the charity wants governments to tax the super-rich to fund climate, environmental and social action.
The action comes after 2024 was confirmed as the hottest year on record, with increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events like the recent Los Angeles wildfires.
Inequality is also on the rise, with the five richest men in the world getting richer while five billion people globally are getting poorer.
‘It is an outrage that politicians, CEOs and the powerful elite gather at Davos to debate endlessly on global challenges while the world is burning and people struggle with meeting basic needs and dealing with worsening climate impacts.
‘Inequality, the climate and environmental crises are intimately linked. There is a way forward: the super-rich must pay their fair share of taxes.There’s no lack of money to address the climate and environmental and social crisis, it’s just in the wrong pockets and it’s time to make rich polluting elites pay.’
CLARA THOMPSON
Greenpeace spokesperson in Davos
There is enough money to tackle the global challenges. According to a new Greenpeace International tax calculation, €185 billion (£157bn) could be raised from taxing the wealth of the super-rich in Europe alone.
Funds that could be invested in social goods that benefit people and the planet, such as energy saving, affordable green housing, public transport and tackling the climate crisis.
‘2025 offers critical opportunities to reform global tax rules and the calls for fair taxation are growing too loud to be ignored. Governments must show true leadership at this time of global need, and go after where the money is.’
CLARA THOMPSON
Greenpeace spokesperson in Davos
Greenpeace and allies are calling for domestic and international reforms that will allow for fair taxation on the wealth of the world’s super-rich.
Greenpeace joins 200 civil society actors and trade unions internationally as well as an overwhelming majority of countries around the world who are supporting a UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation, which is currently being negotiated until 2027.
Richest 1% burn through their entire annual carbon limit in just 10 days
Top economists join climate campaigners, millionaires and Unite union in calls for a UK wealth tax.
£130bn National Renewal Tax on the super-rich could insulate all draughty UK homes, fund free bus travel, green jobs and more, new report finds.
Raise taxes on big polluters and the super-rich to cut transport and energy costs and tackle inequality, says new coalition.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Weekly ethical news, offers, comps and a free digital mag (quarterly) – what’s not to love?