Illustration:Liu Rui/GT

As global climate change intensifies, the upcoming COP29 UN climate summit, set to begin on November 11 in Baku, Azerbaijan, has once again captured the world's attention, with the connection between climate change and green trade practices in the spotlight amid fears of a potential green trade war.

According to a document seen by Reuters, China has requested that countries hold talks at next week's climate summit on carbon border taxes and other "restrictive trade measures" that Beijing says are hurting developing countries.

China, on behalf of the BASIC country group - which includes Brazil, India and South Africa - has submitted a proposal to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to add talks on "concerns with climate-change related unilateral restrictive trade measures" to the COP29 agenda, the document showed, according to Reuters. 

This proposal not only reveals the complex conflicts in the current global green trade sector but also underscores the urgent need for developing countries to amplify their voices and enhance their participation in global climate change governance. As the world grapples with increasingly severe climate challenges, the imperative to balance the diverse interests of various nations while promoting fairness and effectiveness in global climate governance has emerged as a significant challenge that demands collective action and innovative solutions from all countries.

In the current global climate governance system, Western countries, leveraging their economic and political advantages, have long held a dominant position. They have adopted protectionist measures in the development of the global green industry, attempting to maintain their political and economic interests by suppressing China and other developing countries. Such a model has become increasingly unsustainable.

For instance, restrictive trade measures, such as carbon border taxes, primarily serve the interests of developed countries, while imposing significant burdens on developing nations. The implementation of these measures is likely to exacerbate the already fragile economic systems of developing countries, hindering their progress toward development and industrial upgrading through international trade. 

For many developing nations, the transition to a green economy is a long and challenging journey that necessitates increased technical support, financial assistance and greater market access from the international community, rather than the introduction of new trade barriers. Unfortunately, developing countries often encounter numerous obstacles in reaping the benefits of a green economy, and their interests and concerns are frequently overlooked.

Furthermore, the protectionist practices of Western countries in the global green sector represent a deeper issue of power distribution. For decades, the West has possessed disproportionate influence in climate negotiations, standard-setting, resource allocation and market instruments. This imbalanced distribution of power severely hinders global efforts to combat global warming, complicating the transition to a green economy for developing countries by limiting their participation in climate governance and obstructing their ability to pursue more suitable pathways for green development through alternative means. 

This is unfair, particularly considering that developing nations have historically contributed the least to climate change, but the challenges they face are the most severe, resulting in a disproportionate burden from climate change.

China's stance on climate change is always clear and it has been committed to implementing the Paris Agreement which adheres to the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities."

Therefore, enhancing the voices of developing countries in climate governance and ensuring their equal participation in decision-making processes has become an urgent priority. Addressing this issue requires not only efforts by developing countries to strengthen their influence in climate negotiations and standard-setting but also meaningful support from the international community, particularly developed nations. 

Developed countries need to abandon protectionist mindsets and work to improve and optimize the global green trade system. They need to provide more technical support, financial assistance and market access opportunities to developing countries, facilitating their transition to a green economy and promoting sustainable development.