Global population growth continues to exert a major influence on greenhouse gas emissions, according to a report recently published by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). Entitled ‘Demography and climate change - EU in the global context’ this document highlights the importance of taking account of the challenges posed by demography in the fight against climate change.
The report begins by highlighting the discrepancy between demographic growth rates and greenhouse gas emission levels from one country to another. Regions where the population has already reached a plateau or slowed its growth are the main emitters.
Paradoxically, most of the world’s population growth is taking place in the regions of the world that currently have the lowest emissions and are least responsible for past emissions.
The main historical and current emitters, such as the United States, China and the EU, must make significant efforts to rapidly reduce their emissions, while countries with low emissions but high demographic growth need support to find economic growth models that avoid significant increases in emissions.
In addition, the report highlights the need to take account of the different realities of population and age groups when developing policies. The elderly and people on low incomes have been identified as groups particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
The JRC therefore proposes ways of mitigating the impact on these vulnerable demographic groups, as well as adaptation measures to deal with climate change, in line with the EU’s strategy on adaptation to climate change.
To read the report: https://aeur.eu/f/78t (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)