ABSTRACT
Overcoming one of the greatest challenges of the Anthropocene – climate change – requires transformative action, not just technoscientific solutions and political compromise. It is crucial to anchor socio-political actions in a consistent ethical frame. With this purpose, the concept of conditional freedom is put forward as a path for a fairer human development, building on the notion of freedom constrained by climate. An equitable future for present and future generations can only be designed and implemented if human flourishing does not contribute to global warming and actively prevents it. This concept, based on the capability approach, has the additional value of offering substantial theoretical and practical grounds for the climate justice principles of “avoiding harm” and “sharing burdens.” The chapter includes climate governance guidelines based on conditional freedom with a focus on the promotion of sustainable consumption as a means of reshaping political–economic structures behind injustices. As climate treaties are presently being translated into concrete policies, there is a unique opportunity, for individuals and institutions, to implement transformative remedies emerging from those struggling for environmental justice.
