Common but Differentiated Responsibilities| Class 12 Political Science Notes

Welcome to the discussion of “Common but Differentiated Responsibilities” (CBDR), as we dig into Chapter 6 of Class 12 Political Science. This chapter takes us on a tour across the complex terrain of international environmental governance, illuminating the tenets that guide international endeavours to tackle environmental concerns.

With its recognition of both the common commitment to environmental stewardship and the varied duties of nations based on their historical contributions and developmental trajectories, CBDR emerges as a crucial framework. Come along as we work our way through the nuances of CBDR and discover its implications for fairness, global collaboration, and sustainable development.

Common But Differentiated Responsibilities

• Concerns over the environment caused divisions between the North and the South.
• The nations in the north want everyone to share equal responsibility for protecting the environment.
• The South’s emerging nations think that the developed world’s industrialization is to blame for the environment’s deterioration.
• It was agreed upon during the Rio Summit in 1992 that developing nations’ unique requirements would have to be considered when drafting and interpreting international environmental legislation.
• It is also stipulated in the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that the parties must act equitably.
• It was acknowledged that wealthy nations account for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions, whereas emerging nations had comparatively modest per capita emissions.
• The obligations of the Kyoto Protocol were lifted for China and other developing countries.
• The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement that establishes targets for industrialised countries to lower their greenhouse gas emissions

What are ‘Common but differentiated responsibilities’? How Could We Implement the Idea?

The concept of “common but differentiated responsibilities” suggests that states are expected to work together in a spirit of international collaboration to preserve, safeguard, and repair the integrity and health of the planet’s environment. States bear distinct yet shared obligations for their respective contributions to the deterioration of the global environment. Given the demands their societies exert on the environment globally and the financial and technical resources at their disposal, the developed countries recognise their share of responsibility in the worldwide goal of sustainable development.

The concept might be put into practice with the aid of declarations and conventions:

• The Rio Summit held in June 1992 created accords dealing with climate change, biodiversity, and forestry and suggested a list of developed practices termed Agenda 21.
• The parties should act to preserve the climate system based on shared but distinct obligations, according to the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climatic Change (UNFCCC).
• The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement that establishes goals for industrialised nations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global warming.

The Protection of Global ‘Commons’

• The resources that the community shares collectively rather than privately are known as commons.
• Some parts of the world are not within the sovereign authority of any one state, hence the international community must exercise common governance over them. We call this Global Commons. These consist of space, Antarctica, the ocean floor, and the atmosphere of Earth.
• The Antarctic Treaty (1959), the Antarctic Environmental Protocol (1991), and the Montreal Protocol (1987) were among the several accords that were signed.
• The history of space as a global commons demonstrates how North-South disparities have a significant impact on how these regions are managed.

What is UNFCCC?

According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which was established in 1992, parties must act to safeguard the climate system with consideration for equality and compliance with their respective but shared obligations.

Conclusion

One of the main ideas of international environmental governance is “Common but Differentiated Responsibilities” (CBDR), which is introduced in class 12th Chapter 6 of your Political Science subject. It recognises the common problem of environmental conservation while also taking into account the various historical contributions and demands of national development of other countries. Understanding CBDR empowers you to engage in informed discussions about environmental policy. As future citizens, you have a role to play in advocating for sustainable practices and holding nations accountable for their environmental commitments. By working together, we can navigate the complexities of CBDR and build a more sustainable future for all.

Common but Differentiated Responsibilities- FAQs

What is common but differentiated responsibility class 12 political science?

‘The states must work in the spirit of global partnership to conserve, protect, and restore the health and integrity of the earth’s ecosystem,’ according to the statement “Common but differentiated responsibilities.”

What do you understand by Agenda 21 What is meant by common but differentiated responsibilities?

While acknowledging that every state has a shared commitment to address environmental devastation, the CBDR principle rejects the idea that every state has an equal responsibility to safeguard the environment. States highlighted the difference in economic progress between industrialised and poor nations during the Earth Summit.

When was common but differentiated responsibilities?

Climate justice is ultimately related to the concept of “common but differentiated responsibility” (CBDR), which was established during the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro.

What is the principle 7 common but differentiated responsibilities?

At the inaugural Rio Earth Summit in 1992, the idea of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) was formalised as Principle 7 of the Rio Declaration. According to the declaration, “States have common but differentiated responsibilities in view of the various contributions to global environmental degradation.”

What is meant by ‘responsibility to’?

Under decentralisation, where authority is delegated by superiors, responsibility is intended for the subordinates.