Debating China by Hachigian Nina

Author:Hachigian, Nina
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 2014-11-04T16:00:00+00:00

Dear Qi Ye,

It seems as though we are approaching a common viewpoint about how to resolve the differences between our countries on climate change. A pragmatic approach is the only one that will move us beyond the political posturing and ideological rhetoric that has prevailed for the past decade. Let me first respond to your comments about the principle of common but differentiated responsibility, and then return to possible future pathways to an agreement.

CBDR actually embodies two principles for which I have great sympathy and that should resonate strongly with Americans. First, those who create a problem have a responsibility to help solve it. Second, those with the capacity to help should, especially when others do not have the means to do so, even if the latter contributed to the problem. Everyone would agree that if a company releases hazardous waste into a river, it has the responsibility to clean it up. And, if a person does not have enough food to eat, the person fortunate to have extra food should share it with the one in need. There is an old adage that “to whom much is given, much is expected,” and of course it applies in the case of climate change.8

Applying these two principles to climate change, it is clear that the largest emitters have the greatest responsibility to address the problem and to prevent it from getting worse, as well as to help the most vulnerable adapt to a changing climate. It follows that the wealthier should help the less wealthy with both of these tasks. More wealthy countries should help less wealthy countries, and even within countries, the wealthier citizens should help the less wealthy, more vulnerable citizens. You are correct that the United States not only agreed to the principle of CBDR when it ratified the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, but it has not lived up to the spirit of the idea by taking a leadership role in tackling the climate change problem. I fully understand that many around the world believe that the United States has abandoned the principle, and I agree that it could and should be reaffirmed.

That being said, the far more difficult question is how to operationalize this principle, and here I think there is some truth to the possibility you raised that some countries are “hiding” behind CBDR because it has become a convenient excuse for inaction.

So, yes, let’s reaffirm the principles behind this concept, but perhaps use new language so that ordinary citizens can understand the concepts and why they matter. CBDR has become a toxic acronym in the international negotiations, insinuating guilt and bad behavior on the part of the industrialized countries and an avoidance of responsibility on the part of developing countries. As you said, the time for blame has passed unproductively and the climate threat has become even more urgent to address. Global concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have now surpassed 400 parts per million, well past the point of dangerous human interference in the climate system.

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