Underestimation of personal carbon footprint inequality in four socio-economically diverse countries

Abstract

Extensive research highlights global and within-country inequality in personal carbon footprints. However, the extent to which people are aware of this inequality remains unclear. This study examined perceptions of within-country carbon footprint inequality and their implications for climate policy support and the perceived fairness of actual carbon footprint inequality. We administered an online survey across four diverse countries – Denmark, India, Nigeria, and the United States (n = 4,003) – with 50% of participants sampled from the Top 10% income group. Our results reveal widespread underestimation of carbon footprint inequality, irrespective of participants’ country and income segment. We also find direct links between carbon footprint inequality perceptions and climate policy support and the perceived fairness of actual carbon footprint inequality but with significant variations observed across the four countries. These results underscore the urgent need to raise awareness about carbon footprint inequality and further unpack its implications for climate justice and policy.