In this paper, the relation between the equality of income distribution and sustainable development is discussed. This issue is elaborated using theories of justice of John Stuart Mill, John Roemer, John Rawls and Amartya Sen.

We study how the distribution of income among members of society, and income inequality in particular, affects social willingness to pay (WTP) for environmental public goods. We find that social WTP for environmental goods increases with mean income, and decreases (increases) with income...