Classwork exercise 3

2021110057 진겸일(Jin gyeomil)

The urgency of transitioning to fossil-free energy to meet the climate targets outlined in the Paris
Agreement cannot be overstated. While the debate on the most effective strategies for achieving
this transition continues, there is growing recognition of the role that individual behavior change
can play in reducing energy consumption and mitigating climate change. However, differing
opinions exist regarding the impact of individual energy consumption reduction, with some
arguing that it has little effect and may serve as a tactic by the fossil fuel industry to shift
responsibility away from producers.

This perspective broadens the debate beyond individual consumers to consider the significant
influence of individuals and households with high socioeconomic status (SES) in shaping climate
action. High-SES individuals, who often have high levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, exert
substantial influence through various non-consumer roles, such as investors, role models,
participants in organizations, and citizens seeking policy change.

“Consumption by high-SES people produces far more GHG emissions than that of their lower-SES
counterparts. People in the global top 1% of income cause twice as much consumption-based
CO2 emissions as those in the bottom 50% (15% versus 7%, respectively)17” (page 2, The role of
high-socioeconomic-status people in locking in or rapidly reducing energy-driven greenhouse
gas emissions). Their influence extends beyond consumption to roles as investors, role models,
organizational participants, and citizens. Despite their significant contributions to emissions, high-
SES individuals tend to be less vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change compared to
lower-SES individuals, who are often most affected.

Consumer choices by high-SES individuals, such as air travel, motor vehicle use, and housing,
represent key areas where emissions reductions could be achieved. Understanding the technical
potential and behavioral plasticity of these choices is crucial for designing effective mitigation
strategies.

“Air travel is the most energy-intensive consumer behavior. Air travel emissions increase rapidly as
a function of income30 and are the largest source of GHG emissions for high-emitting individuals,
constituting over 40% of emissions for the top 1% of emitters in Europe”. (page 2, The role of
high-socioeconomic-status people in locking in or rapidly reducing energy-driven greenhouse
gas emissions). Efforts to reduce emissions from air travel should focus on reducing its volume,
especially among frequent flyers. Similarly, motor vehicle use is a significant source of per capita
GHG emissions, with the largest potential for emission reduction coming from shifting to transit,
walking, and biking, as well as transitioning to electric vehicles.

In housing, emissions from high-SES individuals are attributable to ownership and occupancy of
larger homes, multiple residences, and energy-consuming household goods. Switching to
renewable energy and large-scale renovations offer the highest potential for emission reduction in
housing.

High-SES individuals also exert influence through their roles as investors, role models,
organizational participants, and citizens. Efforts to support climate-compatible investing should
target the highest-income investors, who control a significant portion of the market. Additionally,
high-SES individuals can influence societal norms and behaviors as role models within their social
networks, promoting the adoption of low-emissions technologies and behaviors.

In conclusion, high-SES individuals play a critical role in driving energy-driven greenhouse gas
emissions and have the potential to significantly contribute to climate change mitigation efforts.
Further research and targeted initiatives are needed to leverage the influence of high-SES
individuals in achieving climate goals. Efforts should focus on understanding the behavioral
plasticity of high-SES individuals' consumption patterns and their influence on organizational and
policy processes. By addressing these gaps, we can harness the potential of high-SES individuals
to mitigate climate change and transition to a more sustainable future.