Page 21 - Echoes of the Global South V2

Many in the Global South, including countries like India and China, have made tangible efforts to stem per capita
contributions to carbon and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at low levels, accompanied by significant expansion of
its climate-regulating land cover. Brazil’s massive renewable energy capacity, constituting nearly half of its total energy
consumption, exemplifies the nation’s strength in leveraging its natural resources for sustainable development. With its
ambitious national strategies aimed at peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality
before 2060, China showcases the potential of policy-driven approaches to significantly alter the course of a nation’s
environmental impact without compromising on its economic and developmental targets. However, even among the
emerging economies of the Global South, South Africa needs to significantly intensify its efforts in transitioning towards
more sustainable economic sectors to mitigate their environmental impact effectively. South Africa’s primary challenge
lies in addressing the inequalities in carbon footprints across its population. Addressing environmental challenges and
49
building ecological resilience and sustainability is essential for achieving long-term growth, enhancing social well-being,
and securing the region’s environmental health.

3.3. Structural Constraints
Despite the economic potential and diversity of the Global South, several structural constraints continue to impede
growth and development. Poverty remains a pervasive issue in many parts of the Global South, particularly in sub-
Saharan Africa and South Asia. According to the World Bank, over 35 percent of the population in sub-Saharan Africa
50
lived on less than US$2.15 a day in 2019. Economic inequality is also a significant challenge, with wealth and income
disparities contributing to social tensions and hindering inclusive growth. For instance, countries like South Africa and
Brazil, despite being upper-middle-income countries, have some of the highest levels of income inequality in the world.

Figure 3: Gini Index of Income Inequality in Emerging Global South Countries

Source: World Inequality Database

In addition, the Global South is home to some of the world’s youngest and fastest-growing populations. While this
demographic trend can be a source of economic dynamism, it also presents significant challenges. High population
growth rates, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, place enormous pressure on resources, infrastructure,
and social services. For instance, countries like Nigeria, Pakistan, and Ethiopia face the dual challenge of creating

49. Renita D’Souza and Debosmita Sarkar, “Climate Performance Index: A Study of the Performance of G20 Countries in Mitigation”, ORF Occasional Paper No.
391, February 2023, https://www.orfonline.org/research/climate-performance-index-a-study-of-the-performance-of-g20-countries-in-mitigation
50. “Poverty headcount ratio at $2.15 a day (2017 PPP) (% of population) - Sub-Saharan Africa”, World Development Indicators, World Bank, https://data.
worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.DDAY?locations=ZG

20 ECHOES OF THE GLOBAL SOUTH ECHOES OF THE GLOBAL SOUTH 21