Multilateral Diplomacy of the South: The G77 + China in the Climate Change Negotiations

Abstract

The G77 + China represents a multilateral group, engaged in multilateral diplomacy, across multiple fora. While the group has negotiated positive outcomes in terms of trade through its role in the UNCTAD, environmental negotiations have demonstrated the challenges facing the group in maintaining unity, and in turn, raised questions concerning its relevance. This review article considers the divisions that have emerged within the group, as well as those that have emerged between the G77 + China and developed countries within the context of the climate change negotiations. What is significant is that multilateral diplomacy within the group has seen the continuance of unity, despite considerable difference, yet there has been less success in bridging the divide between developed and developing countries as talks move towards the twenty-first Conference of the Parties (COP) in 2015.

Expansive and Complex Pathways to World Society

“…AOSIS called for drastic emissions reductions from every nation without regard to differentiated responsibilities. At the same time, the Africa Group within the G77 focused more on adaptation, technology transfer, and finance (Masters 2014). In some respects, a division among nations of the Global South emerged between those fearful of arrested development from emissions reductions and those fearful of the immediate detrimental consequences of climate change emissions produced by all.…”

“…[and a] trust deficit towards developing countries” (Vihma 2010:8–9). Even after the 2009 COP meeting, nations of the Global South see that “the value of the G77 and China is in ‘solidarity,’ or the ability to present a collective voice from the South” (Masters 2014:3).…”