Why does the climate change discussion include per capita emissions?

Question

I don't understand why the EU accepts China's argument that their per capita emissions are lower than the West's and therefore shouldn't be subject to mandatory emissions cuts? Does the ozone layer care what the per capita emissions of a nation are? If this is such an crisis I would think the UN would be demanding emissions cuts from EVERYONE, not just the wealthiest nations (especially China). This sounds like a socialist redistribution of wealth scheme to me.

But David, that is an issue of social justice. If the planet is in urgent crisis mode, I would think politicians would be saying "FORGET EVERYTHING ELSE FOR A LITTLE WHILE, WE GOT A PLANET TO SAVE!!!"

Again, I repeat, the ozone layer doesn't care about per capita emissions or social justice. The only way to take of it is to lower emissions, period.

Across the board cuts is what I'm talking about. So yes, 10% for example) for every nation.

I also think the idea of per capita emissions is a little silly because individuals don't contribute most emissions, corporations do. So the corporations (or at least their factories) will go to nations without the standards (China).

Answer 1

Otherwise a country of one million people could produce the same amount of emissions as a country of a a hundred billion people.

So, if you live in a more populous country you should reduce emissions more? If everyone cut emissions 10%, then emmisions would be cut 10%.