Poor Countries: Polluters Or Victims?

While air pollution is a global issue, it disproportionately affects people in developing countries, with 9 out of 10 individuals breathing air that exceeds the World Health Organization's (WHO) pollutant guideline limits. In fact, according to the WHO, air pollution kills around 7 million people worldwide annually, with 3.8 million of those deaths resulting from indoor air pollution in low- to middle-income countries. This is often due to the use of kerosene and solid fuels for cooking, heating, and lighting, as well as proximity to rubbish dumps and industrial emissions. While many of the world's poorest countries are among the least polluting, they are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, often lacking the resources to adapt and facing severe economic and health consequences. The question of who is responsible for addressing the impacts of climate change in these vulnerable countries is a contentious issue, with advocates calling for wealthy nations to provide financial support and compensation for historical injustices.

Poor countries are the least polluting but most climate-vulnerable

While air pollution affects everyone, it is often perceived as a more pressing issue in developing countries. Indeed, scientific studies, news reports, and international agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO) have highlighted the disproportionate impact of air pollution on low- and middle-income nations. According to the WHO, air pollution is responsible for approximately 7 million deaths worldwide annually, with 9 out of 10 individuals breathing air that exceeds the organization's pollutant guideline limits. Notably, developing countries bear the brunt of these adverse effects, with 98% of cities in these nations failing to meet the WHO's air quality standards, compared to 56% in developed countries.

This disparity is further evident when examining the specific contexts of various nations. For instance, in Nairobi, Kenya, a massive dump site in Dandora is situated adjacent to schools, churches, clinics, and shops. The toxic fumes emanating from this site negatively affect the health and well-being of nearby residents, particularly children. Similarly, in Bangladesh, the brickmaking industry, a significant employer, contributes to hazardous air quality in Dhaka and other urban areas.

The situation is not merely a matter of environmental concern but also one of social justice. Many of the world's poorest countries, despite being the least polluting, are the most vulnerable to climate change. These nations, bearing little responsibility for global warming, now face extreme heat waves, floods, and other climate-related disasters. Pakistan, for example, contributes only about 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet in 2022, it experienced devastating floods triggered by extreme rainfall, which submerged nearly a third of the country.

The inequity of this climate crisis has prompted calls for wealthy nations, historically the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases, to provide financial support to vulnerable developing countries. At the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27), discussions centered on the concept of "loss and damage," referring to the economic and physical costs that developing countries incur due to climate change impacts. While progress has been made at previous conferences, such as COP26 in Glasgow, on issues like emissions targets and adaptation finance, the question of financial compensation for loss and damage remains contentious.

To address this pressing issue, developing countries require assistance in adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change. This includes investments in resilient infrastructure, climate-smart agriculture, and measures to protect vulnerable populations from health, food and water insecurity, and other detrimental outcomes. Additionally, there is a need for a global transition away from fossil fuels to curb warming and reduce emissions. As NRDC climate strategist Brendan Guy asserts, wealthy nations have an ethical responsibility to contribute to this effort, given their role in causing the climate crisis.

Poor people are most affected by air pollution

While many of the world's poorest countries are the least polluting, they are the most vulnerable to climate change. This is due to a variety of factors, including their lack of resources to invest in adaptation measures and the fact that they have contributed the least to global warming.

In developed countries, the poor are often priced out of areas with better air quality and are more likely to depend on jobs that require outdoor physical labor. They also tend to have more limited access to adequate and affordable healthcare, increasing mortality rates from pollution-related diseases.

Additionally, people of color and non-Hispanic blacks have been found to be more likely to live in counties with higher levels of particle and ozone pollution. They are also more likely to suffer from health conditions that predispose them to greater risk from air pollutants.

Overall, the interplay between pollution, exposure, and poverty reveals the vulnerability of low-income groups to the harmful effects of air pollution.

Wealthy countries need to provide financial support

While air pollution is a global issue, it is undeniable that it affects developing countries more significantly. The poorest people, from Lagos and Lahore to London, are the most vulnerable to air pollution. In developing countries, the poor often live in cramped, informal settlements near rubbish dumps, coal power stations, and highways, bearing the brunt of toxic fumes and poor air quality.

Developing countries, despite being low emitters, are the most vulnerable to climate change. They face extreme heatwaves, floods, and other climate-related disasters despite contributing very little to global warming. For instance, Pakistan, which contributes only about 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, suffered devastating floods in 2022 due to a glacier-melting heatwave.

Wealthy countries, as the biggest historical sources of emissions, have an ethical responsibility to provide financial support to vulnerable nations. They must help these countries adapt to climate change and address the loss and damage caused by their emissions. At the 2021 COP26 conference in Glasgow, advocates pushed for a financial mechanism for wealthier nations to compensate developing countries, but no resolution was reached.

The United Nations' Green Climate Fund aims to assist developing countries in transitioning away from fossil fuels, and the NRDC has set a target of $100 billion for wealthy countries to fund climate mitigation and adaptation in the developing world. This funding is crucial to help vulnerable countries build resilience and reduce the short-term impacts of climate change on poverty.

Additionally, wealthy countries can support developing nations through knowledge and technology transfer, such as providing technical assistance to minimize loss and damage. This can include initiatives for fuel economy, short-lived climate pollutants, air quality management strategies, and infrastructure development.

Poor countries lack the resources to transition away from fossil fuels

While the global community has recognized the need to transition away from fossil fuels, this shift poses unique challenges for poor countries. Poor countries, also referred to as developing countries, often lack the financial resources and infrastructure to adapt to new energy sources. They may also be more vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, despite contributing minimally to global warming.

The transition away from fossil fuels requires significant investments in new industries and technologies. Poor countries may struggle to generate the necessary capital, especially if they are heavily reliant on the extraction and export of fossil fuels. For instance, the decline in extractive activity can negatively impact a country's GDP and trade performance, as seen in past episodes of reduced resource extraction. This transition may also result in job losses, potentially leading to societal instability.

Additionally, poor countries often have limited access to the technology and expertise required for adopting renewable energy sources. They may need to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, agriculture, and adaptation measures to protect their populations from the impacts of climate change. However, these investments can be costly and may require financial assistance from wealthier nations.

At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), there was a call for wealthy nations to provide funding for mitigation and adaptation measures in developing countries. The agreed-upon amount was $100 billion, though some estimated the actual need to be as high as $400 billion per year. However, by 2019, only about $80 billion had been mobilized, falling short of the pledged amount.

The transition away from fossil fuels is further complicated by the demand for energy from industrialized countries and major energy importers like China and India. These countries have a significant influence on the pace of the fossil fuel phase-out. Additionally, the classification of certain projects as "climate-relevant" can be ambiguous, making it challenging to determine the true extent of climate-related finance.

In conclusion, poor countries face significant barriers to transitioning away from fossil fuels due to limited financial resources, the potential for economic and societal destabilization, and the lack of access to necessary technology. Addressing these challenges will require international cooperation, including financial support and knowledge sharing, to ensure a just and equitable transition for all.

Poor countries need to invest in adaptation measures

While it is true that air pollution affects everyone, it is often perceived as a more pressing issue in developing countries than in developed ones. Indeed, air pollution disproportionately affects the poorest people, both within wealthy countries and on a global scale. The poor are often priced out of the leafier suburbs, where highways are fewer and air quality is better. Instead, they tend to live in cramped, informal settlements near rubbish dumps, coal power stations, and other major sources of pollution.

In developing countries, weak or unenforced laws, less stringent vehicle emission standards, and a lack of economic capacity to set up large air quality networks all contribute to poor air quality. As a result, 98% of cities in developing countries with over 100,000 inhabitants fail to meet the World Health Organization's (WHO) air quality guidelines, compared to 56% in developed countries. Furthermore, the WHO reports that, of the 7 million deaths worldwide from air pollution, 3.8 million are due to indoor air pollution, which is particularly prevalent in low- to middle-income countries. This is caused by inefficient cooking, heating, and lighting practices that use solid fuels such as wood, charcoal, and kerosene.

Despite contributing the least to global warming, the world's poorest countries are the most vulnerable to its impacts. For example, Pakistan, which contributes only about 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, suffered devastating floods in 2022 due to a combination of extreme rainfall and glacier melting caused by climate change. These floods displaced millions of people, damaged crops and livestock, and led to a surge in malaria cases.

To adapt to the impacts of climate change, poor countries need to invest in measures such as seawalls, climate-smart agriculture, and infrastructure that is more resilient to high heat and extreme weather events. However, they often lack the financial resources to do so. At COP26 in Glasgow, negotiators pledged to double adaptation finance for developing countries, but progress has been slow, and the issue of financial compensation for loss and damage remains contentious.

As the NRDC's Brendan Guy argues, there is a "clear and compelling moral case" for wealthy nations to provide financial support to vulnerable countries. Firstly, these countries have an ethical responsibility to fix a crisis they largely caused. Secondly, providing funding to help vulnerable countries adapt to climate change and transition away from fossil fuels is in everyone's best interest, as it will help to reduce emissions and protect those most at risk.

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