DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ROLE IN ADDRESSING THE CLIMATE CRISIS

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Picture Courtesy:  THE HINDU

Context

Developing nations, despite minimal contribution to historical emissions, are now the hardest hit by the global climate crisis, yet they are emerging as leaders in mitigation, adaptation, and the global pursuit of climate justice.

What is the Role of Developing Countries In Addressing Climate Crisis?

The Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) principle.

• Origin: This principle was established at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit and is a core part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• Core Idea: Acknowledges that while all nations must address climate change (a common responsibility), they have different obligations based on two factors:
• Historical Responsibility: Developed nations have contributed the most to historical greenhouse gas emissions since the industrial revolution.
• Respective Capabilities: There is a gap in the financial and technological capacity between developed and developing countries.

The 2015 Paris Agreement reaffirms CBDR-RC, requiring all countries to set Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), but expects developed nations to lead with more ambitious targets and provide financial and technological support to developing countries.

Why are developing countries Central to Climate Solutions?

Developing countries suffer disproportionately from climate impacts, which threaten their economic stability, food security, and very existence.

• Small Island Developing States (SIDS): Tuvalu and Fiji, despite negligible emissions, are strong advocates for climate action, facing existential threats from sea-level rise and cyclones.
• Bangladesh's Resilience: Bangladesh, a vulnerable low-lying delta, faces extreme risks from floods and cyclones. 
• To build long-term resilience, it has implemented robust strategies, including the National Adaptation Plan (2023–2050) and the comprehensive Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100.

Emerging economies like India and China are leading the global clean energy transition, expanding renewable capacity and dominating clean-tech supply chains.

Developing nations are adopting practical climate adaptation solutions to protect people and economies.

• Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Building cyclone shelters and coastal embankments (e.g., Odisha in India).
• Early Warning Systems: Deploying advanced meteorological systems to minimize disaster impact.
• Climate-Smart Agriculture: Promoting drought-resistant crops and efficient water management techniques, as like India's National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture.

Developing nations are influencing the global climate agenda through collective action and leadership.

• Loss and Damage Fund: The COP27 conference created a Loss and Damage Fund. Hosted by the World Bank, this fund will compensate vulnerable nations for climate-related damages.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA): An India-led initiative promoting solar energy cooperation among over 120 signatory countries.
• Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment): India's global call for a shift towards sustainable consumption and individual environmental responsibility.
• South-South Cooperation: Nations are collaborating directly. For example, by November 2024, China had signed 53 MoUs on climate cooperation with 42 developing countries, focusing on knowledge and technology sharing.

Challenges Hindering Climate Efforts

Finance Gap

The adaptation finance needs of developing countries are estimated at $215 billion to $387 billion per year this decade. However, international public finance flows in 2023 were only $26 billion, leaving a huge gap. (Source: UNEP Adaptation Gap Report).

Technology Transfer Barriers

Developing nations face limited access to essential green technologies, such as green hydrogen and battery storage, due to the high cost of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs). 

They advocate for IPR waivers or increased collaborative R&D, asserting that climate solutions should be treated as a global public good.

Way Forward

Developing countries are essential, evolving partners in the global response to climate change, moving from victims to key advocates and innovators.

Leverage public finance to mobilize private capital using concessional financing and policy reforms to create investment-friendly environments for sustainable businesses.

Countries need to incorporate climate risk into all levels of governance, from urban planning and infrastructure development to social safety nets.

The discussion and outcome at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, must be more science-based, and cover economy-wide emissions reductions targets for all greenhouse gases.

A successful and equitable climate transition requires the international community to translate promises into action by providing financial, technological, and capacity-building support.

Source: THE HINDU