Study shatters myth that population growth is a major driver of climate change

, by IIED

There is at most a weak link between population growth and rising emissions of the greenhouse gases that cause climate change, says a study published today (28 September) in the journal Environment and Urbanization.

The paper contradicts growing calls for population growth to be limited as part of the fight against climate change and shows that the real issue is not the growth in the number of people but the growth in the number of consumers and their consumption levels. Read more.