The richest 1% of the world's population emits as much CO2 as the poorest two-thirds of humanity.

Omissions

• The specific 'richest 1% = poorest two-thirds' comparison is based on 2019 emissions data published in 2023 (Oxfam/Stockholm Environment Institute report 'Climate Equality: A Planet for the 99%'); the data is thus more than two years old relative to the 2026 session date.
• Oxfam's most recent analyses (2025 report based on 2023 data; January 2026 press release) frame the comparison differently — richest 1% vs. poorest 50% — rather than the 'poorest two-thirds' formulation, though they point to the same or greater inequality.
• The speaker did not cite a source or reference year for the claim.

Sources

• PrimaryOxfam GB — press release 'Richest 1% emit as much planet-heating pollution as two-thirds of humanity'The richest 1 per cent of the world's population produced as much carbon pollution in 2019 as the five billion people who made up the poorest two-thirds of humanity.
• PrimaryOxfam — press release 'A person from the richest 0.1% produces more carbon pollution...'Since 1990, the richest 0.1% have increased their share of total emissions by 32%, whilst the poorest half of humanity have actually seen their emissions share decline; the richest 1% are responsible for as much carbon pollution as the poorest two-thirds of humanity (2019 data).
• PrimaryOxfam Deutschland — report 'Climate Plunder' (2025)The latest available data from 2023 found that over the last three decades, someone in the richest 1% has emitted 100 times more than someone in the poorest 50%.
• PrimaryOxfam — press release 'Richest 1% have blown through their fair share of carbon emissions for 2026 in just 10 days'Within the first 10 days of the year, the wealthiest one percent have emitted as much carbon pollution as the poorest half of humanity, confirming continued extreme emissions inequality.