Abstract:

Most of the current debate going on in climate ethics is focused on a fair distribution of the burdens associated with lowering greenhouse gas emissions. We will suggest that this emphasis on fairness is a mistake. We will argue that any given state ought to go to great lengths – perhaps even extreme lengths – to lower its own emissions, regardless of what other states are doing. Fairness between states matters very little, given what we stand to lose. Although deserving priority in many political and social contexts, considerations of fairness in the distribution of rights and resources are sometimes over-emphasized in political philosophy. Fairness is not the only thing that matters, we argue, and in some cases – such as climate change – it is not what matters most.