Meaning

The Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) principle recognises that all countries share a common responsibility to protect the environment, but not all countries have the same level of responsibility or capacity to address environmental degradation and climate change.

This principle is based on the understanding that developed countries have contributed more to historical environmental damage and possess greater financial and technological capacity than developing countries. 

The CBDR principle was formally articulated in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, 1992, particularly in Principle 7. It has since become a foundational concept in global environmental governance and climate negotiations.

Core Elements of CBDR

Common Responsibility
All countries are responsible for protecting the global environment, as environmental problems like climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution are transboundary in nature.

Differentiated Responsibility
Responsibilities differ based on:

• Historical contribution to environmental degradation
• Economic development levels
• Technological and financial capacity

Developed countries are expected to take the lead in mitigation and provide support to developing nations.

Application in Climate Change Framework

CBDR has guided several international climate agreements:

• UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
  Recognised that developed countries should take the lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  
• Kyoto Protocol
  Imposed legally binding emission reduction targets only on developed countries.
  
• Paris Agreement
  Retains CBDR but adapts it to current realities through nationally determined contributions, allowing flexibility based on national circumstances.

Significance of CBDR

• Ensures climate justice and equity
• Protects development space for developing countries
• Acknowledges historical emissions of industrialised nations
• Encourages international cooperation and trust
• Forms the moral and legal basis for climate finance and technology transfer

India’s Position on CBDR

India strongly supports the CBDR principle, arguing that:

• Developed countries must honour their historical responsibility
• Climate action should not constrain poverty alleviation and development
• Financial assistance and technology transfer are essential for developing nations
• Equity must remain central to global climate agreements

CBDR is frequently invoked by India in climate negotiations to safeguard developmental priorities.

Criticisms and Challenges

• Developed countries argue that emerging economies now contribute significantly to global emissions
• Difficulty in quantifying “historical responsibility”
• Tension between equity and the urgency of global climate action
• Evolving interpretation under newer climate agreements

Way Forward

• Balance equity with global climate ambition
• Strengthen financial and technological support mechanisms
• Ensure fair burden-sharing based on capability and responsibility
• Adapt CBDR to reflect changing global emission patterns without diluting its core principle

The CBDR principle remains central to global environmental justice, shaping how responsibilities for climate action are shared among nations.