New Publication:

Wealth Taxation & Climate Adaptation - A Path to Fair Climate PolicY

The article Underestimated Synergies Between Wealth Taxation and Climate Change Adaptation: Climate Policy: Killing Three Birds with One Stone highlights a powerful idea: taxing wealth can support climate adaptation while strengthening social justice. Wealth taxes are not just an economic tool—they could become a backbone of equitable climate strategies.

🌍 Why link wealth taxes with climate adaptation?

  • Climate adaptation needs stable and fair funding. Measures such as resilient infrastructure, flood protections or mobility systems require long-term investment. Wealth taxation provides a sustainable and fair financing model.

  • It tackles the roots of vulnerability. Social inequalities increase exposure to climate risks. Wealth taxes can reduce these inequalities, lowering the vulnerability of disadvantaged communities.

  • It aligns climate policy with justice. Wealthier groups — who often hold disproportionate power and resources — would contribute more. This makes climate action not only accountable but socially fair.

💡 What this could mean for future climate policy

  • Stable investment in nature, infrastructure, and protection against extreme weather.

  • Less burden on lower-income households who are already more exposed to climate risks.

  • A shift in climate responsibility: those with more contribute more , fostering collective resilience.

Authors

  • Julia Teebken
  • Ulrich Klüh
  • Sonja Kleinod
  • Hendrik Theine