Are the Super-wealthy Climate Superheroes or Climate Supervillains?

Performativity, or the potential to create lasting change? Lucy Allis examines the role of the super-wealthy in combatting climate change.

Recently there have been lots of news stories about billionaires pumping money into climate change, particularly carbon capture. This seems entirely positive on the surface, particularly because we’re always hearing about how expensive climate change is, and it gets people talking about it. But, some of these pledges and prizes have been described as ‘hollow and egotistical’ and only a small dent in the money needed to halt climate change. There’s also an argument that the super-wealthy use more resources and cause more emissions than anyone else. So, what is the role of the super rich in the fight against climate change?

When I say super-rich, I am referring to the richest people in the world, like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates. These people can…