The environmental damage caused by the world’s highest-consuming 10% of people is estimated at between $1.7 trillion and $5.7 trillion annually, according to a new study published in Communications Sustainability. At the central and upper estimates, this damage exceeds current international commitments for climate action and biodiversity conservation several times. It approaches the scale of the global funding required to address these environmental crises. The study places a monetary value on environmental harm linked to four planetary boundaries: climate change, biodiversity loss, nutrient pollution, and freshwater use.

Researchers found that the average person within the global top 10% of consumers generates environmental damage worth between $2,300 and $7,500 per year. The burden is substantially higher in the United States, where per-person damages range from $19,000 to $63,000 annually—equivalent to roughly 6–20% of income or 0.8–3% of personal wealth. More than 60% of the world’s highest-consuming individuals live in the United States and the European Union. In the EU, approximately 40–45% of the population falls within this group, while in the United States the figure exceeds 50%.

Biodiversity loss emerged as the largest contributor to the global environmental damage bill, accounting for 47–56% of total damages. Climate change represented an additional 36–45%, while nutrient pollution and freshwater use contributed the remainder. These findings reinforce growing calls from scientists and policymakers to address climate change and biodiversity loss as interconnected challenges rather than separate environmental issues.

The authors emphasise that their estimates are conservative. The analysis covers only four of the nine recognised planetary boundaries and focuses exclusively on impacts associated with direct household consumption. It does not include emissions and environmental pressures linked to investments, which account for approximately half of the carbon footprint of the highest-income individuals. As a result, the true environmental costs associated with affluent lifestyles are likely substantially higher than those reported.

The study also highlights the potential implications of applying the polluter-pays principle to high-consuming groups. If environmental damages were reflected in taxation or other policy measures, the resulting revenue could significantly contribute to climate and biodiversity solutions. The researchers note that taxes targeting luxury consumption are generally more progressive and more effective at reducing emissions than taxes on essential goods. However, they stress that pricing mechanisms alone cannot compensate for environmental degradation and must be accompanied by stronger regulations and preventive measures.

Lead author Inge Schrijver of Leiden University noted that while placing a monetary value on nature is inherently uncomfortable because nature’s true worth is immeasurable, financial estimates can help illustrate the scale of environmental harm and responsibility. Co-author Paul Behrens of the University of Oxford added that the highest-consuming 10% possess unique leverage to drive change. Beyond their consumption habits, they influence environmental outcomes through their investments, business decisions, and social influence. Together, the findings underscore the disproportionate environmental impact of affluent consumers and the critical role they could play in reducing global environmental pressures.

More information: Inge Schrijver et al, Environmental damages of the top ten percent consumers exceed global climate and biodiversity funding gaps, Communications Sustainability. DOI: 10.1038/s44458-026-00079-x

Journal information: Communications Sustainability Provided by University of Oxford