Green is the New Gold: Unmasking Eco-Imperialism and the Global South’s Fight For Climate Justice

There are several emerging debates on environmental advocacy, sustainability, climate action, global north–south disparities, the principle of equity, justice, reaffirming the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities, and the importance of consideration of national capabilities at various global platforms. Unjust measures such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism CBAM introduced by the European Union (EU) and their implications on economies, fossil fuel-oriented industries, and the historically vulnerable communities have raised global concerns.

Illustration by The Geostrata

Furthermore, these principles were reiterated in the 17th BRICS summit and its strong rejection of CBAMs. The narratives of ‘greenwashing’ and ‘green capitalism’ are aggressively pushed by the developed economies, which are nothing more than a facade of ecological concern that hides the same profit-driven, market-centric practices, adding to the scepticism of the less developed ones about repeating the patterns of traditional capitalism.

India has remained committed to its role in climate action, has set ambitious targets to bring down emission levels, promote sustainable development and has amplified the unity of the global south for climate justice.

PRINCIPLE OF CBDR-RC: ENSURING EQUITY AND RESPONSIBILITY

The principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities- Respected Capabilities is rooted in the idea of equity, justice, and a shared vision for climate action, also taking into account the distinct national contexts.

This is fundamental to the UNFCCC Treaty, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement, restating that all countries have the responsibility towards sustainability and environmentalism, but some developed industrial economies, predominantly those in the Global North, have historically contributed more to the emission levels and therefore they need to shoulder greater responsibility.

These principles also demand technology transfer, finance, and capacity building of the developing countries by the developed ones to gradually contribute to the climate action goals.

CBAM: A TOOL FOR DECARBONISATION OR DISCRIMINATION?

CBAM– Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is an environmental taxation and customs policy introduced by the EU on carbon-intensive imported items, aimed at preventing “carbon leakage” and encouraging decarbonization.

In the recent BRICS summit, CBAM was called out as a “unilateral, punitive and discriminatory protectionist measure” are not in line with international agreements, CBAM as a tool for carbon emission pricing is controversial as it would have negative impact on export structure of major fossil fuel dependent economies and perpetuate regional trade differences. 

Many developing countries are still in the midst of adopting the green initiatives, policies, and models; however, such broader measures could have grave implications, especially on carbon-intensive industries such as steel, aluminium, and cement industries, as their prices would rise and hence would be less competitive in EU markets.

Another criticism CBAMs draws is of its protectionist tendencies as it does not have any implication on domestic EU producers and hence is seen as protectionism of EU industries disguised as an effort to check carbon leakage. It's also limited to import-based consumption while completely ignoring the consumption-based emissions. 

Hence, unilateral measures like CBAM raise valid concerns about their efficacy in actually reducing carbon emissions by only taking into account the imported items in the EU’s domestic market while having no consideration for the goods the EU exports, which go unchecked. This could not only create an imbalance in developing economies' access to European markets but also affect their domestic markets as well as global supply chains. 

GREENWASHING THE GREY AREAS

While a collective, effective, and consciously curated global environmental governance is the need of the hour to address issues of climate change, carbon emission, greenhouse gas emissions, threats to biodiversity, rising temperature, etc, it cannot be built on performative, hypocritical, and discriminatory policies or mechanisms.

In recent times, the idea of ‘greenwashing’ has come into the picture wherein certificates, labels, and tags are issued suggesting the eco-friendliness or sustainability of items, policies, and laws are formed in the name of ambitious climate action.

However, on a deeper examination, these measures turn out to be a mere act of painting things ‘green’, undermining the existing socio-economic structure of poorer countries and having a direct impact on the worker-labour classes, indigenous population, marginalised communities, etc. 

GREEN CAPITALISM: GREEN RHETORIC, IMPERIALISM AT ITS CORE

A dive deeper into such problems leads to questioning the model itself as newer concepts of Environment Social, Governance, the ideas pushed by the developed countries on the ones that are least equipped or secure to adopt the radical net-zero policies, abide by the customs and duties charged in the name of environmentalism as seen in CBAM, carbon neutrality etc and to transform their existing infrastructure that has been built over decades is sheer perpetuation of vulnerabilities and marginalisation.

In the name of activism and environmentalism, it's merely capitalism, rooted in exponential growth and profit maximisation, disguising itself to appear ambitiously green, sustainable, and most suitable in achieving the ambitious climate goals. But the ambiguities and concerns arise because of the impact of this socio-economic model on the determination of profit for some and a burden for many.

The new world order risks becoming a new tool for the same practice of accumulation, the means and methods adopted in ‘green capitalism’ potentially leading us to the old patterns seen in the core and periphery dynamics which intensify economic and social disparities. 

UNITED FOR A GREENER FUTURE

The Global South has shown its collective agency for global climate action, from recognition of critical issues to collaborating for action. In the 17th  BRICS summit many initiatives were welcomed to contribute to global climate action, ranging from ‘BRICS Clean Rivers’, ‘BRICS Climate Research Platform’, establishment of the ‘BRICS Laboratory for Trade, Climate Change and Sustainable Development’. Many member countries including Brazil and India, have set ambitious goals to bring down emission levels.

At the COP26 held in 2021, India pledged to bring down emission by 45%in 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2070. India, under the national initiative of ‘Viksit Bharat’, pledges to focus on decarbonisation of supply chains, set green standards for businesses, and adopt cleaner production processes.

India’s proposal to host COP33 in 2028 was supported by the BRICS countries at the 17th summit.  It also recognized the importance of the development of low-emission technologies, gained support for the Big Cat Alliance, and reaffirmed its commitment to the development of sustainable technologies.

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There is a dire need for cooperation from the global community, not through unilateral measures or greenwashed solutions, but through substantive and just actions. Developed nations, before positioning themselves as the flag bearers of this green transition, must shoulder the historical responsibility they are due.

The deep-rooted marginalisation of the Global South has created challenges that continue to hinder its developmental prospects. Therefore, the sudden and often rushed narratives of greenwashing and green capitalism are perpetuating existing inequalities by burdening already vulnerable economies with new forms of debt and dependency.

Policies introduced in the name of sustainability such as the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAM), can potentially create economic debt traps under the guise of climate activism. While the Global North now possesses the capacity to transition, it continues to profit from and exploit the South’s resources and labour, therefore reinforcing the very imbalances that climate justice seeks to remove.

The road ahead is undeniably challenging, one that demands building consensus, strategic coordination, transparency and accountability from all actors. A framework of global governance that addresses these pressing challenges while upholding the principles of equity and justice is not just desirable but essential both to safeguard a level playing field and to support the less developed economies in establishing sustainable and effective institutions.

Until and unless the historical inequalities are acknowledged and addressed, no one is left behind in this fight, the goal of saving the planet will remain out of reach. True progress lies in real, unanimous efforts that echo the need for differentiated responsibilities and persistent commitment to move towards sustainability and create a just future.

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BY AKSHARA SHUKLA

COVERING PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE

TEAM GEOSTRATA

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