Resolving climate action and inequality in tandem? A global review of states’ climate pledges to the Paris Agreement

Climate change and inequalities are intrinsically linked, both in terms of unequal responsibilities for causing emissions, and who bears the brunt of its effects. The impact of and consequences for inequalities also need to be considered when policy responses to climate change are designed, but such consideration is hitherto underdeveloped in both research and practice. In this article, the construction of interlinkages between climate action and inequalities states’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement is put under scrutiny. In light of growing calls to enhance coherence between the 2030 Agenda and the climate goals, and as a counterweight to the oftentimes technocratic accounts of policy coherence, this study examines how states problematize climate action and inequalities by studying both how interactions are portrayed, and which interventions are suggested to address them. As states gear up for the consideration of a next round of NDCs, this study contributes a critical analysis of how cross-cutting issues are incorporated and identifies opportunities and challenges for inclusion and assessment of inequalities in the NDC process of the Paris Agreement.