At the dawn of COP21, it is time for a critical reading of the commitments made by the countries that are home to half of the world’s population today, and will be home to the majority, tomorrow. Download our Insights into Emerging Economies here .

After the initial enthusiasm – with the Moroccan delegation delighted that COP-21 is “already a success” and the organizers thinking it possible that each day will bring a step forward – the Indian prime minister has just cast a chill by reminding us in the Financial Times that the “rich world must take greater responsibility for climate change” and that “justice demands that carbon curbs should not limit poor nations’ ability to grow.” But seriously, no realist now imagines this could be the case. So why overplay the return to Copenhagen 2009 and its sticking points? Surely, since then, this international gathering has become aware of the green growth pathway? Surely, everyone has understood that it is precisely the faster-growing emerging economies that are driving the energy mix transition? Everyone, however, has come to Paris with this clearly in mind, with new idea that it is in the common interest to advance where it can be most effective. So why antagonize things? A negotiating tactic? Or the real risk of a new deadlock? Let’s look closer at the key and riskiest point for the negotiations: if few understand the “carbon curbs,” the concept of “justice” mentioned by Mr Modi is intended to hold meaning for everyone, even if each has their own understanding of the notion…

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