Environment

 

– Iftah Al Aqliyah

The biggest crisis of the twenty-first century is climate change and it threatens ecosystems, economies, and human security globally. The Global South, a broad term for nations in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific, is experiencing this crisis severely over the past few decades. These nations suffer the most from the effects of climate change, including persistent droughts, devastating floods, sea-level rise, and increasing food insecurity, even though they emit least in the world. Because of this systemic disequilibrium, the Global South has historically been perceived as the “victim” of global warming and reliant on the technological and financial assistance of the Global North. New global climate diplomatic patterns, however, herald a change.Global South nations are becoming more proactive negotiators rather than passive recipients of aid, as seen in the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund during COP27, the G77 + China’s braver step, and South-South cooperation taking shape. This article explores this ambivalence by examining the paradoxes and difficulties of the Global South’s dual role as a victim of global warming and a emerging new agenda-shaper in international climate negotiation.

Global South as the Victims

Even while the Global South contributes significantly less to global emissions than the Global North, they still face the brunt of the climate catastrophe.  In other areas, the influence is evident.  Food shortages, severe flooding, and protracted droughts are persistent issues in Sub-Saharan Africa, where most nations are classified as high vulnerability and low readiness.  While Bangladesh, India, and the Philippines are regularly struck by severe floods and tropical storms, small island nations like Tuvalu and the Maldives in South Asia and the Pacific face the prospect of submersion.  Similar circumstances exist in Latin America, where forest fires and deforestation increase climatic sensitivity and pose a health risk to the populace. The Germanwatch Climate Risk Index report ranks Pakistan, India, and the Philippines as the countries with the highest impact of extreme climate disasters in the last three decades.

Some social groups in the Global South are more severely impacted by climate change than others, in addition to being geographically vulnerable.  For instance, when disasters occur, women and children are more likely to lose access to food, healthcare, and education.  People with impairments and older individuals frequently encounter obstacles when trying to evacuate or get emergency help.  Meanwhile, when droughts or floods devastate agricultural land and essential infrastructure, disadvantaged communities and informal laborers are the first to lose their livelihoods.  According to a comprehensive assessment, these populations face socioeconomic disparities that worsen their circumstances in addition to physical harm.

However, the Global South remains a victim because to its weak capacity for adaptation.  According to Columbia University’s 2025 Global Climate Risk Index on Vulnerability and Access to Finance, two-thirds of the nations in the “red zone” category are in Africa and have little access to international adaptation funding.  Countries in the Global South are dependent on aid from the Global North and international organizations due to a lack of financial resources, poor technology, and a weak infrastructure for adaptation.  This demonstrates that their situation will continue to be impacted by the global climate problem in the absence of equitable support. 

Global South as Negotiator

Despite its reputation as the most climate-vulnerable region, the Global South has changed from being a victim to an active participant in international climate diplomacy.  In international forums, this shift in role is particularly noticeable since the 2022 COP27 in Egypt.  The establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund, which acknowledges the historical responsibility of wealthier nations for the climate issue, was successfully pushed for at that gathering by countries in the Global South.  Because the voices of poor nations are now influencing the design of global climate policy for the first time, this achievement is regarded as a significant turning point.

Active engagement also strengthens negotiations. Diplomatic efforts by Global South countries in seeking climate justice and fairer access to funding are still led by the G77 + China. In addition, platforms such as the High-Level Global South Dialogue, to be held in 2025 from Marrakech to Belém, demonstrate the growing cross-regional coordination. As actors with the ability to steer international debate, Global South countries are not only addressing the impacts of climate change but also developing an agenda for a just energy transition. Additionally, South-South Cooperation (SSC) improves the Global South’s bargaining power outside of international venues.  Countries like South Africa, Brazil, and Indonesia actively contribute to the development of adaptation capability in their areas, whether it be through disaster management, renewable energy, or sustainable agriculture technologies. These programs demonstrate that the Global South is providing practical answers that can be implemented globally rather than only waiting for assistance.

In fact, developing nations are now using the Columbia Climate Vulnerability Index (2025) study as a guide when calling for more equitable access to international finance, demonstrating their capacity to employ technical tools to bolster their diplomatic stance. Through various active initiatives, the Global South has successfully demonstrated that it is not merely standing by and waiting for assistance, but is moving forward to fight for justice for vulnerable countries and promote a more equitable and sustainable transformation of global governance.

Despite the fact that the Global South’s participation in climate diplomacy is becoming more significant, several significant obstacles still limit its efficacy.  Since the interests of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) diverge from those of big developing nations like China, Brazil, or India, priorities and interests are a significant problem.  Furthermore, several nations face a conflict between their commitments to climate change and economic growth due to their reliance on extractive sectors like coal, oil, and palm oil.  Their negotiating position at the table is further weakened by limited access to foreign funds and adaption technologies.

 

Conclusion

Being both a victim and a negotiator puts the Global South in a precarious situation.  It is undoubtedly the most susceptible to the effects of climate change, but it is also increasingly influencing the structure of international climate diplomacy.  It is no longer a passive actor, as evidenced by its leadership in the Global South dialogue and the successful negotiation of the Loss and Damage Fund at COP27. But in order to be genuinely acknowledged as equal negotiators, the Global South must resolve its own issues, fortify regional unity, and make sure that climate diplomacy is implemented domestically. Whether the Global South can continue to hold this dual position as the foundation for the fight for global climate justice will have a significant impact on the direction of climate diplomacy in the future.

 

[ Iftah Al Aqliyah is an Intern at COGGS and student of International Relations, UPN Jawa Timur  Veteran University, Surabaya, Indonesia. Opinions expressed don’t necessarily reflect the views of COGGS.  ]

References

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