Global South can claim climate mantle at COP30 Authors: Maiara Folly, Jayati Ghosh and Jorg Haas

The article strikes a powerful chord by showing how the West once a dominant torchbearer of global climate leadership is now running out of steam. With Trump’s second presidency dragging the US into aggressive isolationism and the EU losing its political muscle to far-right distractions, the once-mighty “West” looks more like a house of cards. Into this vacuum steps the Global South, carrying the weight of climate shocks yet armed with the promise of renewables, falling clean tech costs, and a burning desire to set the record straight at COP30. Leaders like Brazil, India, South Africa, and China are already beating the drum of collective action, with Lula rallying heads of state, South Africa pushing debt relief and green industrialization, and China flexing its industrial clout in green tech. The article makes it clear that this is no time for half measures. The Global South must put its shoulder to the wheel and grab the mantle of climate leadership.

But the road ahead is anything but smooth. Diverging interests within BRICS+ threaten cohesion, while Trump’s trade bullying lurks like a storm on the horizon. Yet the article insists that the stars have aligned for the South. Falling costs of clean energy, China’s surplus in solar and wind tech, and South-South cooperation could breathe new life into multilateralism and prove that climate and development are not rivals but twin pillars of prosperity. The article gives the message that if the Global South can sink its differences and speak with one voice at COP30, it has a golden chance to prove that when the West drops the ball, others can pick it up and run with it.

Overview:

This article shows the decline of Western dominance in climate politics and the rise of the Global South as a potential standard-bearer. It highlights the role of Brazil, India, South Africa and China in shaping a collective agenda ahead of COP30, stressing the need for unity, innovation, and financial reform to lead the global green transition.

NOTES:

The article highlights the decline of Western dominance in climate governance, with the US under Trump turning inward and aggressive while the EU struggles with fragmentation and lack of political will. This leadership gap has opened space for the Global South, particularly Brazil, India, South Africa, and China, to push for a more inclusive climate agenda ahead of COP30. The Global South, long burdened by climate shocks and historic inequalities, now has an opportunity to lead the global green transition through cooperation, innovation and renewable energy expansion. Brazil is using its COP30 host role and BRICS+ presidency to advance climate finance and cooperation, South Africa is leveraging its G20 presidency to call for debt relief and green industrialization, and China is directing its surplus in solar, wind and battery technology toward developing nations. Despite divergent interests within BRICS+ and challenges from Western trade pressures, the article stresses that falling clean tech costs, stronger South-South cooperation, and multilateralism can help these nations show that climate and development go hand in hand, making COP30 a decisive moment for their leadership.

Related CSS Syllabus or Subjects:

• International Relations: Global climate governance, South-South cooperation
• Current Affairs: COP30, sustainable development, climate finance
• Pakistan Affairs: Climate vulnerability, environmental policy
• Essay Paper: Climate change, development vs sustainability, leadership in a multipolar world

Notes for Beginners:

The article says the West is losing its grip on climate leadership, leaving room for the Global South. For example, China has become the biggest producer of solar panels and batteries and can sell them cheaply to developing countries. Brazil is hosting COP30 to push collective action, while South Africa is pushing for debt relief and green industrialization. These examples show that if developing countries work together, they can take charge of global climate action.

Facts and Figures:

• 17 heads of state from the Global South and EU met in April ahead of COP30
• BRICS+ leaders adopted a framework declaration on climate finance in July
• China leads globally in solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries
• The 1992 Rio Earth Summit and 2015 Paris Agreement remain largely unfulfilled
• Indira Gandhi at the 1972 Stockholm conference said “Poverty is the worst form of pollution”

To sum up, the article is an attention call that when the West falters, the Global South cannot afford to sit on its hands. COP30 is not just another conference, it is a stage where developing nations can prove that they are not passengers but drivers of the global climate agenda.