How can we better understand these weak outcomes?
Peralta: Let’s look at the intersection of inequality, democracy, and environment. Growing global and national socio-economic inequalities have fuelled social division, nationalist sentiment, and misinformation; undermined trust in democratic ideals and systems; as well as eroded citizens’ support for solidarity actions and measures to protect our only planetary home. Further, the collusion of national, fossil fuel, and other business interests has elevated the role of private finance and market-oriented solutions in addressing environmental challenges, increasing debt and deflecting attention away from the critical need for deep-seated economic transformation and the moral responsibility of historical polluters – wealthy, industrialised countries and segments of society – to dramatically cut greenhouse gas emissions and to pay for the costs of addressing the ecological breakdown and financing just transitions.
How does equity come into play here?
Peralta: It’s the thread that links climate, biodiversity, and combating desertification. Equity demands a radical sharing of resources and burdens in line with the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities.” For environmental agreements to be accepted and adhered to by all countries and for environmental actions to be embraced by people, these must emerge from a moral framework that has justice at its heart. Climate and other environmental rules must hold accountable those who are most responsible for the ecological calamity. They must also contribute to poverty reduction, create jobs, and ensure access to basic needs such as water and food while countering growing climate threats. Further, to rebuild trust in multilateral and democratic institutions that promote environmental protection, measures to reduce socio-economic inequalities among and within countries – such as progressive wealth taxation and debt cancellation – are essential. The WCC has always underlined that equity is the path to sustainability.
COP29 Interfaith Call to Action