Sustainability and Climate Justice: A Balanced Approach

Sustainability, often referred to as sustainable development, is a widely recognized term, yet its meaning is often overlooked, especially among poor and marginalized communities. In developing countries like the Philippines, immediate survival often takes precedence over sustainability, reflecting limited understanding and appreciation of its impact on climate change. Therefore, it is important to define and discuss what sustainability means to ALL of us, regardless of age, gender, race, or income level, in order to better understand it.

While some argue that sustainability is just as important as the principles of freedom, equality, and justice, it may not have the same meaning and importance for everyone. What is freedom if you don’t have access to the resources and opportunities to live the life you want? What is equality if you are not seen and treated as equal? ​​And what is justice if the rich and powerful get away with their crimes while the poor go to jail without a day in court? This brings us to the discussion of what sustainability or sustainable development really means to everyone, so that we can objectively assess its crucial role in addressing climate change and whether it is “sustainable” for developing countries like the Philippines.

What is sustainable development? According to the Brundtland Commission, it is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” It has also been defined as “improving the quality of life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems.” In broad terms, sustainable development goes beyond climate change.

The World Health Organization defines sustainable development as “a broad term that describes policies, projects, and investments that deliver benefits today without sacrificing environmental, social, and personal health tomorrow.” But these remain good ideas and principles that do not always translate into tangible or meaningful benefits for all.

While they acknowledge that alleviating poverty must go hand in hand with improving health, education, gender equality and other areas, while also tackling climate change, each country has its own priorities and challenges to address.

The challenge of implementing sustainable development

In the Philippines, political and economic crises often lead to the deprioritization of sustainable development commitments in agreements such as the Paris Agreement. Dr. Arsenio M. Balisacan, Secretary for Socioeconomic Planning and Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), highlighted the fact that the country lacks the technology and funds for a rapid transformation to renewable energy, relying instead on climate finance support from developed countries. Without prioritized allocations of domestic funds to combat climate change, effective implementation is hampered.

In my opinion, we need to stop and reflect on the current situation of each country and find more acceptable solutions tailored to the needs of each country, rather than simply setting goals that are difficult to achieve due to their complexity and limited resources. Each country must develop its own solutions tailored to its needs, rather than accepting unattainable goals. Sustainable development requires national ownership, with specific goals and allocated funds for sustainable initiatives. It must be an integral part of governance and should not be treated as a project that can be abandoned if funding is not provided.

By setting realistic goals, we can tailor policies and action plans to national realities, ensuring that laws, regulations, international cooperation and economic policies such as carbon taxes, tax incentives and subsidies are effective and efficient.

The role of multi-level management

Even when united in purpose, implementing policies and programs can be difficult. Nation-states face challenges such as political change, economic constraints, and growing interdependence among countries. For example, political change can change policy, as seen in the potential for the U.S. to withdraw from the Paris Agreement if certain political leaders are elected. Economic constraints can make it harder for developing countries to meet the growing need for climate action. The interconnectedness of nations challenges traditional notions of sovereignty, emphasizing that no single country can solve the climate problem alone.

I strongly believe that effective environmental governance requires a multi-level, multi-actor approach, where national governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, transnational corporations and local authorities work together. International organizations and non-state actors should be seen as partners in the global effort to address climate change, not as threats. The Paris Agreement is an example of engaging non-state actors, including businesses and advocates. This approach recognizes the interconnectedness of global, national and local environmental problems and the need for coordinated efforts at all levels of governance.

Climate Justice and Historical Responsibility

As global temperatures rise, our current climate action is insufficient. Urgent decarbonisation is key to limiting global warming to 1.5°C, including switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy, improving energy efficiency and deploying carbon capture technologies. While economically viable, this transition must be just and inclusive to avoid worsening social inequalities, especially in less developed countries that struggle with poverty and hunger.

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) defines climate justice as putting equity and human rights at the heart of climate decisions. This concept highlights the unequal historical responsibility of countries and industries that have benefited from carbon emissions. These actors must help those most affected by climate change, especially countries and communities that are vulnerable and have made minimal contributions to the crisis.

One proposed solution is the Global Carbon Tax. In this model, countries (usually the main producers of carbon dioxide emissions) would be taxed on a percentage basis, and the funds generated would directly support a climate fund of local communities or affected developing countries, helping to counteract damage and loss. It would also help the affected country with disaster response and just transition initiatives.

Establishing a global carbon tax requires significant international cooperation and coordination, which can be very difficult. Participation can lead to tokenism, and negotiations can be undermined by excessive diplomacy aimed at avoiding conflict between countries or state parties. There is a risk that industries in countries with a carbon tax could move to countries without one, leading to no net reduction in global emissions. Therefore, it must be implemented by all countries – developed and developing alike – and charged the same rate to all countries.

Final Note

While studying at Oxford University, I learned that the proposed Global Carbon Tax has the potential to be a significant tool in the fight against climate change, promoting both climate justice and a just transition by adopting a system-wide, multi-level approach. However, its success is entirely dependent on careful implementation and international cooperation to ensure that all countries adopt the same carbon tax system, thereby avoiding any disproportionate impact on developing countries that may face a backlash from large industries.

We must remember that rapid decarbonization is essential, but it must be done in an inclusive and equitable way. The transition to net-zero carbon emissions poses significant challenges, requiring a careful balance between speed and fairness. In pursuing climate justice, policymakers must also navigate synergies and trade-offs to ensure a just transition that takes into account the needs of all, especially the most vulnerable.

Climate change, as a global justice issue, must be addressed and shared by all based on their capabilities and available resources. By adopting a collaborative and inclusive strategy, we can work towards a sustainable future for all.