Global South countries shouldjointly push for the building of a more reasonable and fair global climategovernance system
The Global South, a grouping of the world's emerging markets anddeveloping countries, has become an important force in pushing thetransformation of the global governance system. In the climate arena, GlobalSouth countries, which are ecologically fragile, have a pressing need todevelop the economy and eradicate poverty, while being confronted with acutechallenges from climate change.
First, Global South countries need to increase their say andinfluence in global climate governance. Although the rise of the Global Southhas given developing countries more say in the global arena, internationalclimate governance is largely dominated by the West. Thanks to theirtechnological strengths, developed countries enjoy an upper hand in fields suchas emissions reduction calculation, adaptation capacity building, greentechnology application, and climate financing, thereby seeking climate deals thatbest suit their interests. In contrast, most members from the Global South havenot yet established a climate science system, and have not received substantialhelp from developed countries in the transfer of green technologies.
Second, the Global South risks being divided in global climategovernance. Since global climate governance was initiated in the 1990s, thetheme of the climate arena had long been the “Global North versus GlobalSouth”. However, the rapid rise of emerging economies and theconsequential surge in their greenhouse gas emissions have divided the GlobalSouth. After the Paris Agreement was inked at the United Nations Climate ChangeConference in Paris 2015, the North-South divide in climate governance hasevolved into a more complicated landscape comprising three blocs — developedcountries, emerging economies and underdeveloped countries.
In recent years, the United States-led developed world has sought tocreate divisions among Global South countries by isolating emerging economies,including China, from other developing countries. The strategy is designed toundermine the collective strength of the Global South, preserve the so-calledrules-based international order, and impede China's growth. In response, GlobalSouth countries should jointly push for the building of a more reasonable andfair global climate governance system by upholding the principle of common butdifferentiated responsibilities in climate actions. Bearing in mind theprinciple of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefits,the Global South ought to create a global climate governance system that meetsthe interests of the whole of humanity.
First, the Global South must uphold true multilateralism in globalclimate governance. It is crucial for the Global South to firmly safeguard theglobal climate governance system with the UN at the core, and build upconsensus and pool strength by preserving the status of the Conference ofParties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change as the major platformfor global climate cooperation, thus building a more reasonable and fair globalgovernance system. The Global South should be vigilant against the falsemultilateralism being peddled by developed countries led by the US, which haveresorted to mini lateral groupings and climate alliances to pressure emergingeconomies including China on climate issues.
Second, the Global South should achieve consensus in the globalclimate arena. The Global South comprises of over 150 countries, which accountfor 80 percent of the global population and 42 percent of the world's economicoutput. In recent years, Global South countries have gained increasing clout inthe global arena, and become a key force driving the evolution of theinternational order. In climate negotiations, Global South countries have alsoearned a larger say. As a natural member of the Global South, China should leadother developing countries in upholding the global climate governancearchitecture with the UN at its core based on the G77+China cooperation model,and to speak with a unified voice, pushing for the creation of a more just andreasonable global climate governance system.
Third, the Global South needs to strengthen South-South cooperationin global climate governance. Global South countries share the same pursuit forindependent and autonomous development, and call for greater justice andfairness in international affairs. Having similar historical experiences andfacing similar development tasks, Global South countries also share the sameaspiration for a more just and equal global climate governance system, whichlays the foundation for South-South cooperation in climate actions. The GlobalSouth should enhance climate cooperation under mechanisms such as theG77+China, BASIC countries and BRICS, and better align these mechanisms withthe UN-centered global climate governance system.
Last, the Global South should give better play to the role of theGreen Belt and Road Initiative in leading the global climate governance, andbalance economic development and environmental protection in countries involvedin the initiative. It is also important for China and other developingcountries to enhance policy, infrastructure, trade, financial andpeople-to-people connectivity.
新闻来源：https://enapp.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202405/08/AP663ac4e5a310115ef0672999.html
