A Climate-Relevant Development or Development-Relevant Climate Agenda?

Abstract

This paper approaches the question of defining development by examining the interplay between climate and development agendas, questioning whether current approaches prioritize a climate-relevant development framework or a development-relevant climate strategy. Despite global commitments under the Paris Agreement, efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 °C remain inadequate. This inadequacy stems not only from political hurdles but also from economic disincentives inherent in international cooperation. The paper underscores the need to alter the incentive structures shaping global climate action. The Case of China and Vietnam illustrate how domestic priorities—such as energy security, economic modernization, and public health—drive significant progress in emissions reduction, highlighting the potential for co-benefits in aligning climate and development goals. A two-dimensional framework is proposed that more explicitly integrates climate relevance with the urgency of national development priorities. This approach aims to identify synergistic opportunities that advance both objectives, with the potentials of recalibrating international cooperation to better reflect the priorities of developing countries. This is particularly critical as current global climate governance frameworks often fail to address the shifting dynamics of development, overlooking emerging challenges faced by developing nations, the rise of alternative development narratives, and the increasing influence of diverse actors and partnerships in shaping international development support.