- Baku 2024 Conference Shift:
- The 2024 climate conference in Baku challenged the existing global climate treaty by dismantling the traditional post-colonial dichotomy of ‘donors’ and ‘recipients’.
- The conference highlighted the need for an alternate global sustainability forum, with developing countries taking responsibility for their own future.
Relevance : GS 3( Environment )
- Historical Context of Climate Treaty:
- The 1992 climate treaty aimed to address climate change collectively, with the G7 countries leading the emission reductions.
- Developing countries accepted responsibility for climate action, expecting technology transfer and financial support, unaware that the imbalance in research capacity would lead to shifting the burden onto them.
- Unequal Global Dynamics:
- The G7’s dominance in shaping the climate agenda has led to continuing advantages for them, with global concerns being treated superficially.
- The focus on emissions reduction has shifted away from the core issues, exacerbating the unfair distribution of responsibility.
- The G7 has gradually absolved itself of the responsibility for climate change, presenting an “optical illusion” of financial support.
- Conflicting World Views:
- The G7 sees the issue of climate change primarily as reducing emissions, while the Global South, comprising most of the global population, focuses on sustainable development, energy transition, and climate justice.
- Climate justice addresses the historical inequities in emissions and highlights how solutions like carbon pricing and trade restrictions increase inequality.
- Impact of Urbanization:
- Urbanization, a stable global trend, is a significant driver of climate change, with cities accounting for the majority of emissions and resource use.
- The G7’s past consumption patterns contributed to climate change, and by 2050, Asia is projected to account for the majority of global emissions, in line with its population share.
- Need for New Sustainability Principles:
- The article calls for new foundational principles that prioritize sustainability and justice, with India playing a crucial role in creating a more equitable global order within ecological limits.
- A rethinking of global climate policy is necessary to ensure shared prosperity and comparable well-being.
- Proposed Initiatives:
- Alternate Sustainability Forum: BRICS and partner countries should create a forum focused on urban energy transition, researching sustainability, and monitoring G7 climate policies.
- UN Climate Negotiations: The UN climate talks should focus on emissions reductions from G7 countries and direct grants to the most vulnerable nations.
- Stocktaking and Course-Correction: International forums should serve as platforms for assessing progress and adjusting strategies. The WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism could be allowed to decline.
- BRICS and Global Governance:
- BRICS could play a bridging role in the new multilateral order and claim a rightful place in the UN Security Council, promoting justice and fairness in global governance.
