Differentiation between developing and developed nations within the Paris Agreement.
Published as supplementary material to ‘How Alive is 1.5? Part One: A small budget, shrinking fast’.
Despite repeated attempts by many wealthier nations to water down the different scale, scope and rapidity of mitigation between “developed” and “developing country parties”, the Paris Agreement does still embed a clear distinction between the two. Where the weakening of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities–Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) is most evident is around issues of finance; important though this is, it has only very peripheral relevance to our recent article about the onging tenability of the 1.5°C goal.
In the opening ‘preamble’ to the Paris Agreement, five out of the sixteen subsections evoke equity, in various forms, but all in relation to the developed and developing nations. Separately, equity is referenced in relation to gender, ethnicity, etc.
Subsequently, many of the Agreement’s articles draw a clear distinction between the various responsibilities of the “developed” and “developing country parties”. While the specific term ‘equity’ is not always used, it is our judgement that the clear differentiation does provide a repeated and clear ‘equity steer’. We reiterate here the various articles of the Paris Agreement that draw out this distinction. It should be noted that several of the other articles also differentiate between “developed” and “developing” parties but these we classify as more procedural and so have not included them here.
Article 2, point 2: This Agreement will be implemented to reflect equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances.
Article 3: The efforts of all Parties will represent a progression over time, while recognizing the need to support developing country Parties for the effective implementation of this Agreement.
Article 4, Point 1: Parties aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible, recognizing that peaking will take longer for developing country Parties and later on the basis of equity, and in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty.
Article 4, Point 3 reflecting its common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances.
Article 4, Point 4 Developed country Parties should continue taking the lead by undertaking economy- wide absolute emission reduction targets. Developing country Parties should continue enhancing their mitigation efforts, and are encouraged to move over time towards economy-wide emission reduction or limitation targets in the light of different national circumstances.
Article 4, Point 5 Support shall be provided to developing country Parties for the implementation of this Article, in accordance with Articles 9, 10 and 11, recognizing that enhanced support for developing country Parties will allow for higher ambition in their actions.
Article 4, Point 6 The least developed countries and small island developing States may prepare and communicate strategies, plans and actions for low greenhouse gas emissions development reflecting their special circumstances.
Article 4, Point 15 Parties shall take into consideration in the implementation of this Agreement the concerns of Parties with economies most affected by the impacts of response measures, particularly developing country Parties.
Article 4, Point 19 All Parties should strive to formulate and communicate long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies, mindful of Article 2 taking into account their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances.
Article 6, Point 6 … is used to cover administrative expenses as well as to assist developing country Parties that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change to meet the costs of adaptation.
Article 7, Point 2 … taking into account the urgent and immediate needs of those developing country Parties that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
Article 7, Point 6 Parties recognize the importance of support for and international cooperation on adaptation efforts and the importance of taking into account the needs of developing country Parties, especially those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
Article 7, Point 7d Assisting developing country Parties in identifying effective adaptation practices, adaptation needs, priorities, support provided and received for adaptation actions and efforts, and challenges and gaps, in a manner consistent with encouraging good practices.
Article 7, Point 13 Continuous and enhanced international support shall be provided to developing country Parties for the implementation of paragraphs 7, 9, 10 and 11 of this Article, in accordance with the provisions of Articles 9, 10 and 11.
Article 9, Point 1 Developed country Parties shall provide financial resources to assist developing country Parties with respect to both mitigation and adaptation in continuation of their existing obligations under the Convention.
Article 9,Point 3 As part of a global effort, developed country Parties should continue to take the lead in mobilizing climate finance.
Article 9, Point 4 The provision of scaled-up financial resources should aim to achieve a balance between adaptation and mitigation, taking into account country-driven strategies, and the priorities and needs of developing country Parties, especially those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change and have significant capacity constraints, such as the least developed countries and small island developing States, considering the need for public and grant-based resources for adaptation.
Article 9, Point 7 Developed country Parties shall provide transparent and consistent information on support for developing country Parties.
Article 10, Point 6 Support, including financial support, shall be provided to developing country Parties for the implementation of this Article.
Article 11, All of points 1–4 on capacity building
Article 14, Point 1 It shall do so in a comprehensive and facilitative manner, considering mitigation, adaptation and the means of implementation and support, and in the light of equity and the best available science.