At the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Baku, Azerbaijan, leaders from around the world unite to tackle an urgent issue: climate injustice. This term highlights how climate change disproportionately affects developing nations, which have contributed the least to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions but suffer the most from its consequences.
Countries facing climate injustice endure severe losses, from destroyed infrastructure to collapsing ecosystems, yet they often lack the resources to effectively combat or adapt to these challenges. This disparity underscores the importance of the Loss and Damage article of the Paris Agreement, which aims to provide compensation to nations grappling with irreversible climate impacts.
Central to this discussion is the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. This principle advocates for equitable burden-sharing in global climate efforts, urging wealthier, higher-emitting nations—those with historical responsibilities for the climate crisis—to offer more financial and technological support to developing countries. Despite ongoing promises, such as the $100-billion climate fund pledged annually under the Paris Agreement, affluent nations have repeatedly fallen short.
The shortcomings of the Kyoto Protocol, which attempted to set binding emissions reduction targets, highlight the difficulty in aligning national interests with global climate goals. In contrast, the Paris Agreement introduces transparency requirements and nationally determined contributions (NDCs) as legal safeguards to enhance accountability and cooperation among nations.
Transparency allows countries to monitor each other's progress in mitigating climate change, fostering a culture of mutual accountability. This openness not only boosts a country's international reputation but also encourages more ambitious climate actions. For example, China's recent NDC showcases significant advancements, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative Sri Lanka's study of sustainable pathways in Jiangxi Province. Transparent reporting like China’s reinforces both domestic and international climate efforts, demonstrating how collective progress can drive global change.
This year's Global Stocktake takes the Paris Agreement a step further by providing a comprehensive assessment of global climate actions. This periodic review helps identify areas where nations need to accelerate their efforts to meet the critical 1.5 degrees Celsius target. By continuously enhancing their NDCs, countries commit to an iterative and legally protective approach, ensuring sustained progress toward shared climate goals.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
