This paper synthesizes the evidence of a negative correlation between income inequality and environmental quality. It shows that inequality exerts adverse impact on environmental outcomes through several channels, including the household, community, national, and international channels. These channels however overlap with one another and can thus reinforce the impact of inequality. Other dimensions of inequality, in particular gender inequality, also impact environmental quality negatively. The concept of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) is not that helpful in explaining the negative correlation between inequality and environmental quality. The findings of the paper suggest that reduction of inequality will have an important role in achieving environmental sustainability
1. Introduction -- 2. Inequality and Environmental Quality -- Some Evidence -- 3. Four Channels of Influence of Inequality on Environmental Outcomes -- 4. Household Channel of Influence of Inequality on Environmental Outcomes -- 5. Community Channel of Influence of Inequality on Environmental Outcomes -- 6. National Channel of Influence of Inequality on Environmental Outcomes -- 7. Inequality and Environmental Kuznets Curve -- 8. International Channel of Influence of Inequality on Environmental Outcomes -- 9. Gender Inequality and Environmental Outcomes -- 10. Conclusions.

28 p. : charts, grapgs, tables

Includes bibliographical references (p. 25-28).