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 Climate Politics:

Developed vs. developing nations

Daily Earth NewsPaper,
11-02-2026
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Climate Politics:

Developed vs. developing nations

BY PROGGA DAS

C limate change is one of the the most widely discussed issues of our time. Wildfires, excessive rainfall, droughts, and floods are devastat-ing different parts of the world, while the Earth is becom-ing unusually hotter. Climate change is not merely an environmental problem; it is also a global security threat that is increasingly influencing international relations and geopolitical dynamics. At the same time, behind this crisis lies a complex web of international politics.

The carbon emissions generated by centuries of industrialization in devel-oped countries have raised the Earth's temperature, yet the most devastating impacts of this crisis are being felt by developing and poorer nations. As a result, the climate crisis has gradually evolved into a matter of global justice. On the stage of world politics, climate has now become a new arena of power struggle. It is no longer just about pro-tecting the environment; it also involves intense negotiations over eco-nomics, technology, development, and the balance of power. While developed countries seek strategies to protect their economic interests and technolog-ical dominance, developing countries are struggling for their very survival.

Looking back at history, the Industrial Revolution in Europe and North America since the nineteenth century led to the massive use of coal, oil, and gas. As a result, large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases accumulat-ed in the atmosphere. According to the latest estimates of the global carbon budget, the United States alone has con-tributed more than one-quarter of global carbon emissions historically. When combined with the European Union, the historical contribution of developed

countries exceeds 50 percent. Although China currently leads in annual emissions, its histor-ical share is much lower. The combined contribution of countries such as India, Bangladesh, or those in Africa remains below 10 percent.

According to the Paris Agreement (2015), each country was expected to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) based on its capacity. Developed countries also promised to support developing nations with financial assistance and technolo-gy transfer. However, even after the submission of new NDCs in 2025-2026, there has been little visible progress in reality. According to a recent United Nations analysis, under current plans global emissions are expected to decline by only about 12 percent by 2035 com-pared to 2019 levels. This means the world is still heading toward a warming scenario of approximately 2.3 to 2.5 degrees Celsius, which poses a serious threat to human civilization.

A similar contradiction is visible in the issue of climate finance. At the most recent climate conference, a target was set to mobilize at least 300 billion dol-lars annually in public climate finance by 2035, with an overall goal of raising around 1.3 trillion dollars. Yet this amount remains far below what devel-oping countries actually need. Particularly in the case of adaptation and compensation for countries severe-ly affected by climate disasters, the available funds are still very limited. Moreover, a significant portion of the funds provided comes in the form of loans, which further increases the debt burden on poorer nations.

Yet the balance of power in global cli-mate politics still tilts heavily toward developed countries. Their powerful corporate lobbies and fossil fuel compa-nies seek to continue their business operations, making it difficult to reach firm international decisions on rapidly phasing out fossil fuels. At the same time, developing countries are also

being urged to reduce emissions. However, the reality is that per capita carbon emissions in developed coun-tries range from 10 to 15 tons annually, whereas in countries like Bangladesh it is only around 0.5 tons. This inequality has become the central question of con-temporary climate politics. To overcome this crisis, global cooperation and just policies are essential. Developed coun-tries must acknowledge their historical responsibility and take practical steps accordingly. Increasing climate finance, facilitating technology transfer, and strengthening the adaptation efforts of developing countries are all crucial. At the same time, developing countries must also steer their development strategies toward sustainable pathways. There is no alternative to focusing on renewable energy, environmentally friendly infrastructure, and climate-resilient agricultural systems.

Bangladesh has already taken several notable initiatives in this regard, includ-ing the construction of cyclone shelters, climate-resilient infrastructure, and community-based adaptation pro-grams. These efforts must continue and be expanded further. Humanity has faced many crises in the past, yet peo-ple have repeatedly overcome them through cooperation and innovation. The climate crisis is no exception. Climate change is a universal challenge, and addressing it requires collective action. There is no alternative to resilience in this situation. The Earth and its climate do not belong to any sin-gle person or nation; they belong to all.

Moreover, the impacts of climate change are not confined to any particu-lar region-they are global. Therefore, in shaping the future trajectory of the climate, the developed and developing worlds must act not as rivals but as partners. Only then can the climate cri-sis be mitigated and the path of sustain-able development be maintained.

Progga Das is a student, Eden Mohila College. She can be reached at proggadas2005@gmail.com