Climate Change Ethics — Definition

Definition

Climate change ethics examines how the duties, benefits and burdens associated with climate change should be distributed among people, countries and generations. It asks who should reduce emissions, finance protection and receive assistance, and how affected people should participate in decisions.

The problem arises because contributions to warming, exposure to harm and capacity to respond are unequal. Scientific evidence identifies risks and causal pathways; ethical reasoning evaluates responsibilities and choices.

A climate policy can reduce total emissions while distributing costs unfairly, so environmental effectiveness and justice both need examination. Moral responsibility must also be distinguished from an established legal entitlement to compensation.