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.

共同但有区别的责任原则

共同但有区别的责任原则是全球气候治理的基石。由于地球生态系统的整体性和导致全球环境退化的各种不同因素，各国对保护全球环境负共同但有区别的责任。其中，共同的责任意味着各国无论大小、贫富、能力强弱，都对保护全球环境负有一份责任；有区别的责任是对共同责任的进一步细化和限定，表明这种共同责任的承担不是平均的，而应当有所区别。发达国家和发展中国家在历史上和当前对地球生态环境造成的破坏和压力不同，对造成气候变化的历史责任不同，发展需求和能力也存在差异。总体上，发达国家应承担比发展中国家更大的责任。

中国倡导各国遵循共同但有区别的责任原则，坚持公平公正惠益分享，根据国情和能力，最大程度强化行动，形成各尽所能的全球气候治理新体系。当前，发展中国家面临抗击疫情、发展经济、应对气候变化等多重挑战。发达国家应该展现更大雄心和行动，在减排问题上作出表率，同时充分照顾发展中国家的特殊困难和关切，在资金、技术、能力建设等方面为发展中国家提供支持，避免设置绿色贸易壁垒，共同加速绿色低碳转型。

共同但有区别的责任原则是全球生态环境治理中一项公认的基本原则，是以中国为首的广大发展中国家长期坚持斗争、据理力争的结果，集中反映了国际社会在考虑发展中国家的特殊情况和需要、促进国际合作、平衡南北利益方面作出的公正抉择。