ABSTRACT
While debates around sustainability have been going on for decades, and are perhaps already considered old news in some fields, the concept is very relevant to climate ethics and economics. This chapter argues that since not all natural capital is substitutable, we should invest in mitigation efforts. Climate policies focused mainly on adaptation are not acceptable, although adaptation measures have their role to play, especially as compensatory measures. The role of economics is very prominent in political discussions around climate change mitigation and adaptation. Therefore, to tackle justice issues effectively, one must also look into the ethical assumptions included in economic analyses. The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report includes for the first time discussion on how justice questions could be brought into economic calculations that feed into policy recommendations (IPCC 2014b). It is not an easy task, but an essential one.
