Two Dimensions of Rectificatory Climate Justice

This paper makes two points. First, García-Portela (2025) is an excellent proposal to address climate injustices and guide climate policy. García-Portela determines climate change related loss and damage by identifying the relevant injustices and linking them to climate change. Her version of the polluter pays principle overcomes relevant objections. She ensures that her proposal is feasible by engaging with attribution science and tort law practice. Secondly, one dimension of rectifying climate injustice is nonetheless underdeveloped. Many emissions happen(ed) with an attitude of disrespect for those likely to suffer from climate change. The relations between states responsible for the bulk of emissions and peoples likely to be worst affected are often already damaged through colonialism. The lack of climate action adds insult to injury. These relational climate injustices require rectification, too. García-Portela’s account is unsuccessful in grounding these but is well suited to be a part of a pluralist approach.