A scientific study has shown that the growing population in leading carbon-intensive lifestyles in developed countries is posing a challenge for global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
The study which was published in the scientific journal Nature on Wednesday showed that the trend creates obstacles for the emission mitigation efforts of developing economies such as China and the Middle East, as those regions are responsible for producing most of the world’s consumer goods.
The study, which was undertaken by a team of international scientists, revealed how the consumption habits and carbon footprints of rapidly ageing populations affect greenhouse gas emissions and highlight the need for carbon mitigation strategies for a greying society.
According to data from the United Nations, It is estimated that the share of the population aged over 65 will double between 2019 and 2050 in developed countries, while 43 countries will see their populations decline.
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Led by Zheng Heran, a postdoctoral researcher at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, the study focused on the greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint of household consumption across different age groups in 32 developed countries.
It covered the US, Japan, Australia and 29 countries in Europe, which together represent more than 80 per cent of global gross domestic product and 90 per cent of the population in high-income countries.
According to the scientists involved in the study, It found that people aged over 60 pose serious challenges to global emission reduction efforts.
“Our results showed that this demographic group has a carbon-intensive lifestyle, suggesting a great challenge for the global decarbonisation initiative,” the scientists said.
Speaking further, they said, “We highlight the carbon-intensive expenditure pattern of the aged group resulting in the highest per capita GHG footprint, which presents both an immediate and long-term challenge. Both rising per capita expenditures and a growing population in this demographic were twin drivers of this trend.”
Story was adapted from South China Morning Post.
