Rethinking Representation: Towards Meaningful Climate Negotiations

Syllabus:

GS-2:

India and its Neighbourhood ,Important International Institutions , Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India’s Interests , International Treaties & Agreements , Effect of Policies & Politics of Countries on India’s Interests.

Focus:

COP30, set to be hosted in Belém, Brazil, has sparked discussions on innovative approaches to climate negotiations. Proposals for granting representation to non-human entities like the Amazon ecosystem aim to enhance inclusivity and align global ambitions with actionable commitments to tackle the climate crisis effectively.

Rethinking Representation: Meaningful Climate Negotiations

Challenges in Current COP Negotiation Frameworks:

  • Historical Failures: Climate politics and natural forces rarely align, with no global authority or unified metric system to reconcile interests.
  • Lack of Representation: Marginalized communities and ecosystems most affected by climate change often lack a voice in decision-making processes.
  • Trust Deficit: Hosting COPs in oil-reliant economies while promoting fossil fuel investments creates contradictions, eroding trust and hindering progress.
  • Criticism of COP29: Viewed by many as ineffective due to its “business as usual” approach, lacking transformative changes in addressing climate challenges.

Watershed Moment: The Landmark Paris Agreement (2015)

Significance of the Paris Agreement (COP21):

  • Adopted in 2015, COP21 marked the most significant global climate accord involving 196 countries.
  • Required all nations—developed and developing—to set emissions reduction goals.
  • Introduced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), where countries voluntarily set their targets.
  • Aimed to limit global temperature rise to below 2°C, pursuing efforts to keep it below 1.5°C.
  • Entered into force in November 2016, though lacked enforcement mechanisms for compliance.

Key Achievements of COP28 (Dubai, UAE):

  • Fossil Fuel Phase-Down: Agreement to accelerate transition from fossil fuels in a “just, orderly, and equitable manner.”
  • Loss and Damage (L&D) Fund:
  • Purpose: Support vulnerable developing countries in addressing climate-related losses.
  • Hosted by the World Bank; ~USD 700 million pledged by various nations.
  • Global Climate Finance Framework: Aimed at mobilizing $100 billion annually for mitigation and adaptation efforts.
  • Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge:
  • Signed by 118 countries, targeting 11,000 GW renewable capacity and 4% energy efficiency improvement by 2030.
  • Global Goal on Adaptation: Focus on enhancing adaptive capacity and climate resilience.
  • Global Stocktake (GST):
  • First stocktake under the Paris Agreement; a five-year review to assess progress towards NDCs and Paris goals.

Principles of Climate Change Negotiations (CCNs):

  • Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR-RC): Acknowledges shared responsibility but differentiates based on historical emissions and capabilities.
  • Equity and Fairness: Advocates equitable mitigation and adaptation efforts.
  • Transparency and Accountability: Calls for transparent reporting on emissions and progress with accountability mechanisms.
  • Adaptation and Loss and Damage: Focuses on addressing climate impacts for vulnerable nations.

India’s International Climate Response:

  • International Solar Alliance (ISA): Launched with France in 2015 to promote solar energy adoption.
  • Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI): Global partnership initiated in 2019 for resilient infrastructure.
  • High Ambition Coalition (HAC): Joined in 2021 to conserve 30% of global ecosystems.
  • Established green partnerships with countries like the UK, USA, Denmark, and France.

India’s National Climate Actions:

  • National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): Comprehensive plan launched in 2008 to address climate challenges.
  • Sectoral Adaptations: Focus on agriculture through National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA).
  • Climate Finance: Includes National Adaptation Fund, reduced fossil fuel subsidies, and tax-free bonds for renewable energy.

India’s Key Initiatives at COP28:

  • Global Green Credit Initiative (GGCI): Promoting green financing mechanisms.
  • Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT 2.0): Supporting decarbonization of industrial sectors.
  • Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA): Fostering sustainable management of riverine cities.

Rethinking Representation in Climate Negotiations:

  • Innovative Approach: Bruno Latour and Laurence Tubiana’s Theatre of Negotiations during COP21 introduced a reimagined negotiation framework.
    • Equal representation for humans and non-humans (e.g., oceans, soil, atmosphere) in climate discussions.
    • Focus on inclusivity and diverse stakeholders, including state representatives, scientists, businesses, and civil society.
  • Dynamic Interactions:
    • Non-human entities ‘spoke’ through proxies, highlighting interdependencies and challenging territorial sovereignty.
    • For example, the “Ocean” imposed conditions on the U.S., and the “Atmosphere” addressed China.
  • Key Insights:
    • Delegates learned the importance of clear communication and alternative governance pathways.
    • Organisers tackled logistical challenges in managing diverse perspectives.

Global Trends in Non-Human Representation:

  • Legal and Political Innovations:
  • Non-humans granted rights in some nations:
  • Ecuador and New Zealand: Legal rights for ecosystems.
  • India and Pakistan: Court recognition of natural entities.
  • Rationale: Recognising non-humans as ‘interest bearers’ with moral and legal standing fosters accountability and broader agency in governance.

Lessons for COP30 in Belém:

  • Representation for the Amazon:
    • Hosting the conference in the Amazon offers an opportunity to represent the region as an entity.
    • This would highlight the critical role of rainforests in global climate stability.
  • Aligning Ambition with Action:
    • Bridging gaps between lofty climate goals and practical policy implementation.
    • Transparent intentions and trust-building mechanisms are essential for meaningful progress.
  • Inclusivity:
    • Encouraging participation from indigenous, rural, and coastal communities alongside traditional stakeholders.

Importance of Localized Climate Action

  • Role of Host Nations: The choice of host country influences the focus of negotiations, offering unique opportunities to highlight local and global climate priorities.
    • Example: Belém’s location in the Amazon underscores the importance of rainforests in combating climate change.
  • Engaging Local Stakeholders: Indigenous and rural communities, who are stewards of critical ecosystems, must have a voice in shaping climate policies.
  • Regional Impacts: Policies targeting specific regions, like the Amazon, can demonstrate scalable solutions for global application.

Bridging the Gap Between Science and Governance

  • Science as a Foundation: Reliable, data-driven insights must underpin climate negotiations to ensure actionable solutions.
  • Limitations of Current Frameworks: While science guides policies, its authority is often undermined by political and economic interests.
  • Interdisciplinary Approach: Integrating social sciences, economics, and local knowledge with environmental science can create more holistic solutions.
  • Dynamic Communication: Role-playing models like Theatre of Negotiations show how creative methodologies can facilitate understanding and cooperation across diverse stakeholders.

Challenges:

  • Fragmented Global Governance:
    • Absence of a unified global authority to address climate issues comprehensively.
    • Diverse political, economic, and social interests of nations hinder cohesive decision-making.
  • Anthropocentric Approach:
    • Limited representation of non-human entities like ecosystems, oceans, and the atmosphere in negotiations.
    • Existing governance systems lack mechanisms to include non-human ‘interest bearers.’
  • Contradictory Actions by Nations:
    • Host countries relying on oil-based economies send mixed signals by promoting fossil fuel investments while hosting climate summits.
    • Lack of alignment between declared ambitions and implemented actions erodes trust.
  • Resource and Logistical Challenges:
    • Simulating inclusive negotiation processes requires significant resources and coordination.
    • Difficulty in achieving transparency and clear communication among diverse stakeholders.
  • Limited Impact of Current Frameworks:
    • Conventional COP meetings often fail to address systemic gaps and foster actionable commitments.
    • Over-reliance on traditional negotiation models limits innovative approaches.

Way Forward:

  • Innovative Representation Models:
    • Embrace methods like Theatre of Negotiations to include both human and non-human stakeholders.
    • Grant agency to ecosystems and other non-human entities for more inclusive discussions.
  • Aligning Policies with Actions:
    • Ensure host nations exemplify sustainable practices to build trust and credibility.
    • Bridge gaps between declared ambitions and actionable commitments.
  • Localized Climate Action:
    • Engage indigenous and rural communities for their expertise in ecosystem stewardship.
    • Focus on region-specific challenges, such as granting representation to the Amazon in COP30.
  • Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    • Integrate environmental science with social, economic, and cultural perspectives for holistic solutions.
    • Promote creative, role-playing methodologies to foster collaborative problem-solving.
  • Transparency and Accountability:
    • Mandate clear, measurable, and transparent commitments from all participating nations.
    • Establish monitoring mechanisms to track progress and hold stakeholders accountable.

Conclusion:

Inclusive representation of humans and non-humans in climate negotiations can redefine global governance and address systemic issues. By fostering transparency, aligning actions with ambitions, and embracing innovative methods, future COPs, like COP30, hold the potential to bridge the gap between policy and practice for meaningful climate action.

Source: The Hindu

Mains Practice Question:

Discuss the limitations of the current global climate governance structure and suggest innovative approaches, such as granting representation to non-human entities, to ensure more inclusive and effective climate negotiations. Illustrate with examples from recent climate conferences.