CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLOBAL SOUTH: A DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT
- PIRUMALLA JAYANT
- 4 days ago
- 8 min read
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) defined climate change as a change that is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity, altering the composition of the global atmosphere.
Climate change poses a direct threat to the livelihoods of many Global South communities, especially those dependent on agriculture and natural ecosystems. In these settlements, residents typically engage in small-scale entrepreneurship, self-employment, casual work, and petty trading, constituting an informal economy. Unfortunately, these settlements often lack basic infrastructure and are poorly constructed, making them highly vulnerable to climate change-related hazards like floods and storm surges. Water pollution and inadequate sanitation further pose health risks for residents in these areas. In cities where risks and dangers persist, people may be compelled to cross borders, further complicating, and expanding the dynamics of climate-related migration. According to the IEA report of 2022, global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reached a record high of approximately 36.6 Gigatons (GT).
The top contributors to these emissions were China, the United States, and the European Union, accounting for 19.3 GT, which is about 53% of the global total in which China, USA, EU emit the highest. In contrast, LAC accounted for only about 7% of total GHG emissions. Even though Africa produces the least GHG emissions, it faces the most severe consequences of climate change. Despite the relatively low contributions of most Global South countries to GHG emissions, they are more vulnerable to climate change impacts, including sea-level rise, floods, and rising temperatures. Moreover, these countries generally have lower adaptive capacities compared to their counterparts in the Global North.
HISTORICAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
For the first time in more than three decades since its inception, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) mentioned the link between “colonialism” and climate change in the Summary for Policy Makers section of the 6th IPCC Report, published in 2022. The report said: “Present development challenges causing high vulnerability are influenced by historical and ongoing patterns of inequity such as colonialism, especially for many indigenous peoples and local communities.” It is very important that leading climate scientists have acknowledged that colonialism is a historic and ongoing driver of the climate crisis.
It is clear that colonial powers had a significant influence on landscapes, natural resource use and development patterns taking place under their rule. It would be hard to justify ignoring this completely. Indeed, it is well known that colonial powers extracted natural resources from colonised lands to support their economic, military and political power. Yet the link to historical emissions has never been quantified, until now. This analysis assigns full responsibility for past emissions to those with ultimate decision-making authority at the time, namely, the colonial rulers.
Examples like British colonists invaded lands and territories and entirely reorganized the agricultural system of the regions colonised by the British empire. India’s land, previously used for low-scale subsistence agriculture, was reorganised for cash crops such as cotton and tea. Local peasants were subjected to forced cultivation to grow crops and forced employments to afford taxes. The Indian domestic economy and manufacture base were destroyed and replaced by an economy geared for export to international markets. Massive exports led to environmental degradation.
MAJOR ISSUES IN WORLD DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE:
-Fragility, Conflict, and Displacement: The Pentagon has described the effects of climate change as “threat multipliers” and catalysts for conflict, and the State Department’s Global Fragility Strategy identifies environmental degradation as a key driver of fragility. As an example, security experts suggest Al Qaeda has exploited openings for recruitment and influence as a result of desertification in Northwest Africa. Extreme weather has contributed to conflict and terrorism in fragile states that have led to the displacement of 80 million people from their homes, now the highest level in human history.
-Food and Water Security: Of the 124 million people worldwide who face “crisis levels” of acute food insecurity, 76% were affected by climate shocks and extremes, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization, and more than half of the people in developing countries live in rural communities dependent on agriculture – a sector highly vulnerable to environmental conditions.
-Global Health: Warmer temperatures could expose as many as one billion people to deadly infectious diseases such as Zika, dengue, and chikungunya. A warmer climate could lead to an additional 250,000 people dying of diseases including malaria each year between 2030 and 2050, according to the World Health Organization.
-Economic Development: The World Bank estimates that the effects of climate change could push an additional 100 million people below the poverty line by 2030. In addition, the impact of extreme weather is resulting in $520 billion in annual consumption losses and is pushing 26 million people into poverty each year.
HOW GLOBAL SOUTH CAN BALANCE DEVELOPMENT WITH CLIMATE ACTION
The countries of the Global South need a resilient and sustainable development perspective. We need global solidarity and an investment offensive in sustainable industrialization, in infrastructure, and in jobs for hundreds of millions of young people. To achieve Sustainable Development Goals – to end hunger and poverty – we need economic growth of at least 7% per year in developing countries. For this, industrial development is the key. Industrialization has lifted millions out of poverty, created jobs, advanced technology and increased social prosperity. However, industry is also one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases (GHGs), accounting for almost 30% of global emissions. Within that, energy-intensive industries like steel, cement, and chemicals are responsible for about 25% of global CO2 emissions.
The solutions to decouple economic growth from GHG emissions exist. We have the knowledge and the technology. Developing countries can become some of the greenest economies, while providing enough energy for the rapid development that people, families, and communities need. These countries do not need charity. They do not need donations in the pattern of past development approaches. What they need is real investment: a long-term structural interest in creating real change.
For progressive outcomes, climate action needs to reconcile with the overarching aspiration in the Global South to catch up with the Global North, economically and politically; acknowledge the significance of domestic energy resources for energy security and affordability; balance the emphasis of investments in mitigation action of the Global South with adaptation needs of the Global South; formulate technology and fuel agnostic strategies that can pave the way for a low-carbon future; assess country-level climate action on the basis of qualitative parameters that reflect the right to human well-being; and reduce trade barriers on low-carbon technologies to increase affordability and accelerate the energy transition in the Global South.
IS THE GLOBAL CLIMATE GOVERNANCE SYSTEM FAIR?
INEQUITABLE DECISION MAKING
The most important issue is not financing or technology, but the fact that the existing climate governance systems are currently unable to tackle the climate crisis effectively. The institutional framework and power disproportions emerged as critical barriers to meaningful participation. That powerful stakeholders with decision-making power maintain control over decision-making by excluding options that could induce power shifts (e.g., granting other stakeholders voting rights) from the agenda of negotiations, it highlight the unequal representation. On the international scene of political agenda-setting, there is an over-representation of NGOs from the Global North in comparison to NGOs from the Global South, leading to a disproportionate representation of different perspectives.
INADEQUATE CLIMATE FINANCE
A concerning finding by Oxfam suggests that not only is the actual funding provided substantially lower than what's officially reported, but a vast majority of this aid is in the form of loans. This mode of assistance exacerbates the economic strains of these countries, especially during periods of escalating interest rates, as they plunge deeper into debt while attempting to address the challenges of climate change.
Additionally, rather than allocating fresh resources, a substantial portion of the assistance provided is merely the redirection of pre-existing official aid, with over half of the climate finance targeting the most disadvantaged countries presented as loans. Countries such as France, Austria, Japan, and Spain have preferred to use this mechanism of financing, with France allocating a staggering 92% of its climate finance as loans. The situation is similar with multilateral institutions, with 90% of climate finance from bodies like the World Bank being loan-based in the period of 2019-20.This approach is deeply inequitable and richer nations have been accused of undermining crucial climate discussions by not taking their commitments seriously. Moreover, there's a pressing concern regarding the lack of attention towards adaptation funding.
BARRIERS TO TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
Technology transfer is one of the most contentious issues in international negotiations on climate change. Despite its recognition at international platforms such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, G20, etc., the independent review of Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), the operational arm of the UNFCCC's Technology Mechanism, shows the lack of success in the transfer of environmentally sound technologies. This study examines the barriers to technology transfer and suggests strategies to improve current technology transfer frameworks. Apart from finance, barriers could arise due to the mode of transfer, the nature of technologies, the sectors (such as energy and transport) in which such technology is sought, intellectual property rights, etc.
India’s Rising Influence: Leading the Global South’s Agenda in a Multipolar World
As COP29 concluded in Baku, the global climate community once again faced the reality of unmet expectations. The US$300 billion pledge by 2035 was widely criticised as insufficient, particularly by India, which described the agreement as an “optical illusion”. This sentiment underscores India’s dual role: While the nation stands as a global leader in renewable energy and climate diplomacy, it also grapples with systemic challenges that hinder equitable climate action. India’s assertive stance reflects its ambition to position itself as both a torchbearer for the Global South and a pragmatic voice advocating for balanced solutions.
India’s proactive stance at COP29 highlights both its strengths and limitations. The country’s ability to lead by example, through its renewable energy successes and strategic partnerships, is undeniable. However, the path to a just and sustainable future requires more than ambitious goals and impressive statistics. It demands a critical evaluation of existing policies, greater inclusivity in decision-making, and a commitment to addressing socio-economic disparities within and beyond national borders.
While India has effectively championed mitigation finance, a stronger push for adaptation finance could enhance its credibility as a comprehensive climate leader, particularly for the most vulnerable nations. With the ascent of India’s leadership in shaping the Global South’s agenda, India has reached an unprecedented high of wielding its unique position as a bridge between the Global North and South. India’s champions of equitable global governance have their roots in anti-colonial and non-aligned movements and have recently galvanised support through the Voice of the Global South Summits and its transformative G20 presidency.
India’s role as a leader in promoting South-South cooperation is becoming further strengthened by its efforts to address increasing challenges that range from climate change, and energy security to digital inclusion. India’s balancing diplomacy between BRICS and the Quad showcases its ability to steer a straight course with the webworks of complex geopolitics steering for a fairer world order . India’s vision and its initiatives are not just generating global standing for India, but are opening the door for a future, which is more inclusive, equitable and sustainable for the Global South and beyond. India’s Digital Public Infrastructure, emphasis on sustainable development and renewable energy leadership and the proliferation of this on a global scale signals the commitment of this nation to empower the Global South. In conclusion, it can be observed that India’s efforts contributed to shaping the way to this new age of collaboration in which the Global South is really going to dominate in the formulation of global policy.
REFRENCES
1. https://www.globaljustice.org.uk/blog/2023/08/colonialism-climate-change-and-climate-reparations/
8. https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/the-energy-transition-and-climate-change-a-global-south-perspective https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202411/1323111.shtml
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