People over 60 are responsible for a THIRD of global greenhouse emissions, study finds

While millennials often get a bad rep, a new study suggests that when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, it’s baby boomers who are the ‘bad guys’.

Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology have revealed that people over 60 are now responsible for a third of global greenhouse gas emissions and are likely at the top of the emissions ladder.

‘Older people used to be thrifty. The generation that experienced World War II was careful about how they used resources. The “new elderly” are different,’ said Professor Edgar Hertwich, an author of the study.

While millennials often get a bad rep, a new study suggests that when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, it’s baby boomers who are the ‘bad guys’ (stock image)

Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology have revealed that people over 60 (represented by red in the graph) now contribute more than a third of global greenhouse gas emissions and are likely at the top of the emissions ladder

Western European countries with the highest emissions from over-60s

Luxembourg
UK
Finland
Ireland
Norway
Belgium
Germany
Netherland
Austria
Denmark
France
Italy
Sweden
Portugal
Spain

In the study, the researchers analysed greenhouse gas emissions in 27 EU countries, Norway, the UK, the US, Australia and Japan, categorising them by age in 2005, 2010 and 2015.

They found that in 2005, over-60s accounted for lower emissions than the 30 to 44 and 45 to 59 age groups.

However, by 2015, over-60s had surpassed the 30 to 44-year-olds levels and were at the same level as the 45 to 59-year-olds.

And in the seven years since 2015, the researchers believe it’s likely the over-60s group has surpassed the 45 to 59-year-olds to become the top of the emissions ladder.

‘The post-war “baby boomer” generation are the new elderly,’ said Dr Hertwich.

‘They have different consumption patterns than the “quiet generation” that was born in the period 1928–1945.

‘Today’s seniors spend more money on houses, energy consumption and food.’

In all 32 countries studied, the study found that over-60s are responsible for an increasing share of emissions – with seniors in Japan now accounting for a whopping 51 per cent of emissions.

According to the researchers, emissions that the elderly account for tend to be more local, while younger groups consume more imported goods, which lead to emissions in other countries.

‘Income shrinks in retirement, but seniors in developed countries have accumulated value, primarily in housing,’ Dr Zheng said.

‘A lot of them have seen a large increase in the value of their property.

‘The elderly are able to maintain their high consumption through their wealth. This happens especially in carbon-intensive areas like energy.

An increasing proportion of over-60s now live alone, according to the researchers (stock image)

London produces a THIRD more methane than estimates suggest

London produces up to a third more methane than estimates suggest, a new study has warned.

Methane is one of the most potent greenhouses gases, with more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide.

Researchers from Imperial College London have performed new measurements to quantify the amount of methane released in London.

They found that the UK capital produces 30-35 per cent more methane than previously thought, primarily from natural gas leaks.