Title: How do developments in the South affect climate change?

Authors: Leena Srivastava, Sharmila B. Srikanth

Addresses: Tata Energy Research Institute, New Delhi, India. Tata Energy Research Institute, New Delhi, India

Abstract: Despite the provisions of the UNFCCC, some developed countries, the United States in particular, are insistent that their actions are contingent on ||meaningful participation|| by developing countries. This paper explores the developments - social and economic - in the South that would influence GHG emissions and identifies those developments that are essential to a long-term solution of the climate change problem. The paper argues that participation in project based activities, such as those defined by the CDM, may bring about short-term reductions in the rate of growth of GHG emissions. However, building the social infrastructure of developing economies is an essential precondition to facilitate their transition towards a situation wherein they could also undertake quantitative commitments towards climate-friendly development. Paradoxically, Official Development Assistance that would facilitate such a transition is on the decline.

Keywords: climate change; developing countries; sustainable development paths; social infrastructure.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGENVI.2001.000976

International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, 2001 Vol.1 No.2, pp.163-174

Published online: 18 Aug 2003 *

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