Global Environmental Politics: The Transformative Role of Emerging Economies

Emerging economies, led by China and India, have fundamentally transformed global environmental politics, making or breaking international negotiations. They prioritize economic growth but have limited institutional capacity to contain environmental destruction. Innovative bargaining and institutional design offer a way forward, with bottom-up agreements that respect national sovereignty and invest in capacity building holding more promise than traditional top-down treaties.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 19 July 2022
Publisher: Columbia University Press

The emergence of emerging economies has had a profound impact on the global environmental politics landscape. Led by countries such as China and India, these economies are increasingly shaping international negotiations and agreements, which now require consensus among a diverse range of governments with varying preferences. However, emerging economies often feel that Western-led initiatives overlook their specific needs and challenges.

In this book, Johannes Urpelainen explores why emerging economies have come to dominate global environmental politics. He argues that while these economies prioritize economic growth, they often lack the institutional capacity to effectively manage the environmental consequences of their actions. Urpelainen highlights the barriers to cooperation, such as differences in national priorities, conflicting interests, and limited institutional capacity.

However, he also suggests that innovative bargaining and institutional design can provide a way forward. By recognizing the importance of national sovereignty and investing in capacity building, emerging economies can engage in bottom-up agreements that respect their sovereignty while addressing environmental concerns. These agreements hold more promise than traditional top-down treaties with binding commitments, as they allow for flexibility and adaptation to local contexts.

The book features detailed discussions of attempts to address hazardous chemicals, loss of biodiversity, and climate change. It provides a comparative analysis of China and India, two of the largest emerging economies, and showcases case studies of nine other emerging economies around the world. Global Environmental Politics offers a comprehensive and forward-looking overview of the most pressing international issue of our time.

By examining the role of emerging economies in global environmental politics, this book sheds light on the challenges and opportunities facing these countries as they strive to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability. It provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders interested in understanding the dynamics of international cooperation and the future of global environmental policy.

Weight: 496g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231200776