India-Africa-ASEAN

Synergies in climate-resilient development

- By Prof. Naresh Singh

Introduction

The search for synergies in climate resilient development among India, Africa and ASEAN is both geopolitically important and timely as the Global South seeks to exert its voice, define its prerogatives and take a leadership role in a world shaken by erratic policy actions now affecting all countries. These actions affect climate but go beyond to broader development issues of economics and trade. So, it is important for us to consider the concept of resilient development and, within that frame, place emphasis on climate. We can define resilient development as the capacity to cope with and recover from current shocks and stresses, and in so doing, develop the capacity to be better able to deal with these and other shocks in the future. Seeking synergies implies that working together in some areas will result in outcomes which are greater and more effective than the mere sum of the existing actions.

The total combined population of these countries is about 3.4 billion or nearly 43% of the global population[1]. However, their share of global GDP in nominal terms is only about 10% and in PPP (which adjusts for local purchasing power) about 18%[2]. In terms of human development, India (0.63) and ASEAN (0.72) are considered medium to high human development, while SSA (average 0.55) is low to medium human development[3]. These countries, therefore, have a need for both growth and development as they face shocks and stresses such as climate change and others. We will shortly consider the room for synergies, but first, let us take stock of the climate emergency.