Part 2/8:
The Developing vs. Developed Country Divide
A recurring theme in international climate negotiations is the distinction between developing and developed nations. Many international frameworks, including the COP meetings, operate under the principle that developing countries like China are not yet obligated to cut emissions, as they aim to peak in the future. However, this creates a loophole: China’s expanding economy and significant emissions profile negate the efforts made by developed nations like Australia, which are often dismissed as insignificant on the global scale. The speaker describes this as a form of good faith gesture from Western countries—essentially, acting as bystanders rather than active participants in solving the climate crisis.