In Quest of a Shared Planet: Negotiating Climate from the Global South

In Quest of a Shared Planet offers an ethnographic perspective on climate change negotiations, focusing on the Paris Agreement and the role of the Global South. Anthropologist Naveeda Khan explores why countries of the Global South invest in the slow-moving process and how they have maneuvered it. She interviews negotiators and highlights the power of deal-making and deferrals. Khan suggests that the Global South's pursuit of loss and damage is a gift to the youth of the world to secure a conjoined future. The book calls for responsive and active youth to have a key role in climate negotiations and to critique the process with sympathy and viable alternatives.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 03 July 2023
Publisher: Fordham University Press

In Quest of a Shared Planet, a captivating first-person ethnographic account, delves into the intricate world of climate change negotiations, drawing from the author's eight years of fieldwork with the United Nations-led Conference of Parties (COP). Anthropologist Naveeda Khan takes readers on a journey, focusing specifically on the Paris Agreement, the sole global framework addressing the pressing issue of climate change. Spanning nearly thirty years of collective efforts, this agreement represents a monumental achievement. Khan intimately shares her experiences at COP21 to COP25, unveiling the complexities and nuances of the climate negotiation process. Through her detailed descriptions and growing understanding, she raises profound questions about why countries of the Global South invest in this slow-moving process and explores their strategic maneuvers within it.

Khan's analysis centers on the Bangladeshi delegation at the COPs, shedding light on the unique challenges faced by small, impoverished, and dependent nations in these negotiations. Her interviews with negotiators within country delegations unveil their pathways to the negotiating tables, revealing the strategies and tactics employed to advance their interests. Khan's observations of training sessions for negotiators from the Global South further shed light on their understanding of what is or is not achievable within negotiated texts and the power of deal-making and deferrals.

Through the profiles of individuals who have dedicated themselves to the climate negotiation process, Khan brings their principles, strategies, emotions, and visions to life. She traverses the Secretariat, Parties, activists, and the broader UN system, showcasing the diverse perspectives and contributions of those involved. Khan explores the historical emergence of the newest pillar of climate action, loss and damage, and the efforts of developed countries to control it within the negotiation process. She suggests that we should view the Global South's pursuit of loss and damage not merely as a political strategy to force the issue of a shared future upon the Global North but also as a gift to the youth of the world, inspiring them to take action and build a sustainable future.

In Quest of a Shared Planet offers a profound and insightful perspective on climate change negotiations, shedding light on the complexities, challenges, and opportunities facing countries worldwide. Through the author's firsthand experiences and ethnographic approach, readers gain a deeper understanding of the political, social, and cultural dynamics at play in these critical discussions. This book is a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the global fight against climate change and the role of the Global South in shaping its future.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781531502775