The Principle of "Common but Differentiated Responsibilities"

The Principle of "Common but Differentiated Responsibilities"

The principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" (CBDR) is a cornerstone of global climate governance. Given the wholeness of the global ecosystem and the different causes of global ecological degradation, all countries should take on different obligations while pursuing the common goal of protecting the global environment. By "common responsibilities," all countries, regardless of their size, wealth and capabilities, shall fulfill the same duty to protect the environment. By "differentiated responsibilities," the specific duties they each shoulder are framed in terms of their capabilities.

Historically, developed countries and developing countries have contributed different amounts to the damage to the earth's environment, and face different pressure when responding to climate change. Their development needs and capacities also vary. On the whole, developed countries should take on greater responsibilities than developing countries in addressing climate change.

China advocates the CBDR principle, stands for fair and equitable shares of the benefits, and calls for a new system for global climate governance whereby every country does its best based on its own conditions and capabilities. Currently, developing countries face multiple challenges such as fighting the coronavirus, developing their economy, and addressing climate change. Developed countries should be more ambitious and more active in cutting their emissions, while also accommodating the difficulties and concerns of developing countries, supporting the latter in terms of capital, technology and capacity building, and removing barriers to green trade, so as to expedite green and low-carbon transformation.

The CBDR principle has become a widely recognized principle for global environmental governance. It results from a long-term effort involving struggle and rational argument on the part of developing countries, with China as a leading advocate. It is a just requirement of the international community, with due consideration given to the special conditions and needs of developing countries, and the need to promote international cooperation and balance the North-South interests.

共同但有區別的責任原則

共同但有區別的責任原則是全球氣候治理的基石。由于地球生態系統的整體性和導致全球環境退化的各種不同因素，各國對保護全球環境負共同但有區別的責任。其中，共同的責任意味著各國無論大小、貧富、能力強弱，都對保護全球環境負有一份責任；有區別的責任是對共同責任的進一步細化和限定，表明這種共同責任的承擔不是平均的，而應當有所區別。發達國家和發展中國家在歷史上和當前對地球生態環境造成的破壞和壓力不同，對造成氣候變化的歷史責任不同，發展需求和能力也存在差異。總體上，發達國家應承擔比發展中國家更大的責任。

中國倡導各國遵循共同但有區別的責任原則，堅持公平公正惠益分享，根據國情和能力，最大程度強化行動，形成各盡所能的全球氣候治理新體系。當前，發展中國家面臨抗擊疫情、發展經濟、應對氣候變化等多重挑戰。發達國家應該展現更大雄心和行動，在減排問題上作出表率，同時充分照顧發展中國家的特殊困難和關切，在資金、技術、能力建設等方面為發展中國家提供支持，避免設置綠色貿易壁壘，共同加速綠色低碳轉型。

共同但有區別的責任原則是全球生態環境治理中一項公認的基本原則，是以中國為首的廣大發展中國家長期堅持斗爭、據理力爭的結果，集中反映了國際社會在考慮發展中國家的特殊情況和需要、促進國際合作、平衡南北利益方面作出的公正抉擇。