Issue Unequal climate impacts and climate justice

Summary

The report holds that the harm from climate change is not spread evenly across countries and population groups. Poor countries in the Global South, vulnerable regions and marginalised groups in both poor and rich countries bear the costs of drought, floods, heatwaves, food shortages, migration and economic disruption far more often. With fewer means to adapt, they see existing inequalities deepened, and the setback for their children can create injustice between generations. Rich industrialised countries that historically emitted the most can afford mitigation and adaptation, while poor countries suffer the consequences, and successive climate conferences have not settled who should pay for damage, adaptation and loss. The report describes justice as the most crucial value in the climate debate, covering not only how burdens are shared but also who takes part in decisions.