a core proposition is that future generations have a right to an inheritance (capital bequest) sufficient to allow them to generate a level of well-being no less than that of the current generation. Also refers to fairness in the treatment of different members of the same generation.
The concept that future generations should not have to bear the costs and consequences of actions which were of benefit mainly to present and previous generations.
the distribution of resources, including humanmade and natural capital, across human generations.
The fairness of the distribution of the costs and benefits of a policy when costs and benefits are borne by different generations. In the case of a climate change policy the impacts of inaction in the present will be felt in future generations.
Fairness between generations
Intergenerational equity http://www.globalepe.org/values_ie.html is a value concept which focuses on the rights of future generations. It is a notion that is implicit in ecological sustainability. It is also relevant in economics and government social policy in relation to funding of retirement incomes, particularly in a time of ageing populations.