Inter-generational equity is the principle that present generations have a responsibility to preserve natural resources and environmental quality for future generations. It is based on the ethical standpoint that all generations are entitled to a healthy planet and equitable access to its resources.
This concept is a cornerstone of sustainable development. It emphasizes long-term thinking and urges policy-makers to evaluate the future implications of current decisions.
In international law, inter-generational equity is reflected in various frameworks, especially those dealing with environmental protection. The 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development explicitly calls for the protection of Earth for both present and future generations.
The principle is particularly central to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Climate change poses long-term threats — rising temperatures, sea-level rise, and extreme weather events — that will significantly impact future generations. The Convention, therefore, incorporates the idea that actions taken today will either mitigate or exacerbate climate risks for the future.
The Paris Agreement (2015), for example, focuses on limiting global warming to below 2°C and encourages nations to consider inter-generational justice in their nationally determined contributions (NDCs). To summarize, inter-generational equity reinforces the ethical imperative for environmental stewardship and provides a legal and moral framework guiding international environmental agreements, especially on climate change.