Marked a pivotal shift by eliminating the traditional division between "donors" and "recipients."
Advocated for an alternate global sustainability forum, placing responsibility on developing nations.
Historical Context of the Climate Treaty (1992):
Aimed at collective action for climate concerns.
G7 pledged future emission reductions, while developing countries tackled problems they didn’t create in exchange for funds and technology.
Structural Issues in Global Climate Governance
The G7 continues to benefit from unequal global rules and practices, avoiding root causes of climate issues.
Financial pledges (e.g., by 2035) create an "optical illusion" of support without real accountability.
G7 has absolved itself of climate responsibilities, shifting the burden disproportionately to the Global South.
Two Contrasting World Views
The G7 Perspective:
Focuses on carbon dioxide emission reductions.
Historically overused atmospheric resources and maintained unequal resource distribution.
Global South Perspective:
Emphasizes sustainable development with changes in pathways, lifestyles, and energy transitions.
Highlights the injustice embedded in current climate frameworks, calling for climate justice.
Climate Justice:
Goes beyond fairness of policies to question the framing of mitigation vs. adaptation and global vs. local responsibilities.
Critiques solutions like carbon pricing and trade restrictions for exacerbating inequality.
Role of Urbanisation:
Urbanisation, responsible for three-quarters of emissions and resource use, is central to climate change.
The Global South diverges from the G7's historical patterns of resource use and urbanisation.
Historical Resource Use and Future Trends
G7 consumed 75% of global resources in 1950 (U.S. alone: 40%), despite having just 20% of the population.
Asia is projected to account for 55% of emissions by 2050, proportional to its population share.
G7 suppressed real commodity prices, leading to wasteful practices (e.g., oil consumption).
Proposed Global Governance Initiatives
BRICS should establish a forum supporting urban energy transitions, sustainability science research, and monitoring G7 policies.
Focus on reviewing G7 emission reductions and granting $300 billion to vulnerable nations (e.g., Small Island States, Least Developed Countries).
Treat global forums as platforms for stocktaking and course corrections.
Let outdated institutions like the WTO's dispute settlement system fade away.
Role of BRICS in New Multilateralism
BRICS can redefine multilateralism, focusing on equity and sustainability.
This role positions BRICS for greater influence, including a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
This summary captures the critical shifts, disparities, and proposed reforms in global climate governance as articulated in the text.
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