COP26 Forum blogs: Reduce inequalities within and among countries

SDG 10, with the goal of reducing inequalities within and among countries, is intricately linked to principles of equality and non-discrimination in international human rights law, writes Jill Marshall.

The principles of equality and non-discrimination are ones from which no deviation is permitted under international law: see, for example, the Juridical Condition and Rights of the Undocumented Migrants Advisory-Opinion 2003 Inter-Am Ct HR at paragraph 101, embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 and reiterated in the Vienna Declaration 25 June 1993. Despite this goal and such lofty human rights principles, the United Nations reported in 2005 that, at a conservative estimate, the world’s 500 richest people earn more than the poorest 416 million. In 2018, the 26 richest people in the world held as much wealth as half of the global population (the 3.8 billion poorest people).

What equality means is contested within and amongst disciplines. Analysis and varying theories from economists, philosophers, and lawyers, amongst others, show the need for a comparator – consideration, in other words, of ‘equal to what or to whom?’. Equality of outcome can be quite different to equality of opportunity, and again to equality of resources. The role of choice, desert, luck, of the criteria for measuring one entity against another, cause philosophical quandaries as to the usefulness of the concept of ‘equality’. Yet, talk of ‘equality for all’ to ‘reduce inequalities’ as a strategy and rallying call is a goal worth striving for in seeking a better, fairer, and more just world where everyone has a chance to live a good life. Categories of people historically oppressed, ignored, marginalised, ostracised and discriminated against, including those suffering unequal treatment on the basis of their gender, sex, race, religion, geographical location, family circumstances call for change on the basis of unjust inequalities.

Difficulties facing practical action on inequalities

Connecting the theory and practice of reducing inequalities is easier said than done, among and within countries. The world is divided up into sovereign states seeking their own national interests, making it tough to seek agreement on nations equalling up amongst themselves. The UK government has recently merged its Department for International Development, which had dealt with overseas funding for research and humanitarian assistance, into the Foreign Office (creating a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO). Many see this as a retrograde move at a time when more prosperous nations need to step up to fulfil their international obligations. Inequality within countries is a persistent cause for concern. Varying governmental positions and policies, often voted through by majority populations, may not be based on reducing inequalities, and may in fact be based on the opposite.

In terms of practical action to ‘level up’, or to make people more equal in some sense, by reference to SDG 10, this goal has set ten targets to be achieved by 2030. Progress towards targets is to be measured by indicators. Immediately, this somewhat cold, mechanistic, technical language can be off-putting to many. The first seven targets are ‘outcome targets’. These are to reduce income inequalities; promote universal social, economic and political inclusion; ensure equal opportunities and end discrimination; adopt fiscal and social policies that promotes equality; improved regulation of global financial markets and institutions; enhanced representation for developing countries In financial institutions; responsible and well-managed migration policies. The other three targets are ‘means of achievement’ targets: special and differential treatment for developing countries; encourage development assistance and investment in least developed countries; reduce transaction costs for migrant remittances.

Despite some positive signs toward reducing inequality in some dimensions, such as reducing relative income inequality in some countries and preferential trade status benefiting lower-income countries, inequality persists. The global billionaire count continues to grow.

Effects of COVID-19 on inequality

The COVID-19 pandemic is making between- and within-country inequality worse. This pandemic has put a spotlight on economic inequalities and fragile social safety nets that leave vulnerable communities to bear the brunt of the crisis.  Social, political, and economic inequalities have amplified the impacts of the pandemic.  The poorest and the most vulnerable, including women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities, migrants and refugees and informal workers, are being affected disproportionately by the pandemic.